Student Learning Development Caroline Forsyth Adapted from presentation by Dr Mark Mathews
description
Transcript of Student Learning Development Caroline Forsyth Adapted from presentation by Dr Mark Mathews
Student Learning Development
Caroline Forsyth
Adapted from presentation by Dr Mark Mathews
Overcoming Exam Nerves
Today’s workshop
1. Signs of Anxiety2. Managing Anxiety3. Lifestyle Changes4. On the Day
Knowledge
Exam PerformanceAttitude
Physical Signs of Anxiety
• Acceleration of heart and lung
• Paling or flushing• Inhibition of stomach • Constriction of blood vessels• Dilation of pupils • Auditory exclusion • Tunnel vision • Shaking
And the body becomes flooded with adrenaline
At very high levels of Adrenaline
your brain shuts down
which is inconvenient if you are sitting an exam
Emotional and Cognitive signs of Stress
• Feeling irritable/angry• Feeling tearful• Negative thinking• A sense of dread• Mind racing, • Poor concentration, • Forgetfulness, • Obsessing • Imagining worst case scenario
Exam Success is:
50% 50%how well you know your material
personal reactions to exams
Q: How can we manage anxiety?
A: Practice
Simulate Exam Conditions
Practice Everything…
Timings
Answer Technique
Same Clothes
Same Pens …..
Your goal should be to have as little new information as possible on exam day
Practice Dealing with Negative Emotions
• Sometimes we avoid thinking about exams• Avoid dealing with anxieties• Leaves space for negative thoughts
Replace Negative Thoughts With Positives Thoughts and Feelings
Relaxation Exercises
https://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/relaxation-audio-sessions/id431727868?mt=10
Visualisation
Being relaxed and confident
Getting good results!
The Practicalities
Exam Centres
Find out where yourexam is.
Visit the exam venue before your exam
Tie down the details
Lifestyle Changes – Healthy Diet
• Avoid• Caffeine• Alcohol• Salt & Sugar
MoreWaterCarbohydratesVegetables
Regular Exercise
Take time for fun
Get Plenty of Sleep
How do you prepare?
• What will you do to prepare for the exams?
• What do you do the night before?• What do you do on the day of your exam?
• 5 minutes
On the Day
Things to do
• Eat breakfast• Try to stay calm• Give yourself enough time• Avoid anything that increases anxiety• Arrive Early, Avoid People!
Relaxation
• Keep calm: If you start to feel nervous, breathe deeply.
• Use Relaxation exercises• Don't panic: Say to yourself in your head
'I CAN do this exam'
In the hall
• Focus on doing well (positive)• Fill out your answer books• If you panic, use relaxation techniques• Be prepared – warm clothes, water• Know where everything is
In the Exam
Loss of Focus Relaxation
Planning your answer• Deconstruct the question first• Do quick outline• Rough notes under headings• Then begin to write your answer
Practice Exam Skills
• Manage your personal reactions to exams. They are as important as how well you know your material.
• Replace negative thoughts with positives and practice until the positives become automatic.
• Knowing something is not the same as being able to do it when the situation demands it. You need to practice in a simulated environment.
Student Learning Development
Exam simulation Luce Hall, Wednesday 24th April 3-5pm
Exam Strategies Workshop, Thursday 25th April 1-2pm
Thank you for your time
Visit our website at: http://student-learning.tcd.ie