Lorena had a big social studies test that she was very anxious about. To deal with her test anxiety, she studied all week and attended study groups to help her feel prepared. The night before the test, she packed all the materials she needed in her bag and went to bed early. For some reason, she still felt anxious and wondered what else she could have done to reduce her test anxiety.

Question

What else could Lorena have done to reduce her test anxiety? Check all that apply.

She could have eaten a healthy breakfast.
She could have practiced positive self-talk.
She could have chatted on the phone with friends until late to relax.
She could have closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.
She could have used flash cards to quiz herself on the major concepts.

Answer 1

To reduce her test anxiety, Lorena could have done the following:

• She could have eaten a healthy breakfast. (A nutritious meal can provide energy and improve focus.)
• She could have practiced positive self-talk. (Encouraging herself with positive affirmations can help build confidence.)
• She could have closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly. (Deep breathing exercises can help calm anxiety and reduce stress.)
• She could have used flash cards to quiz herself on the major concepts. (This would reinforce her knowledge and increase her confidence going into the test.)

Chitchatting on the phone with friends until late is generally not advised as it may disrupt her sleep and potentially increase anxiety rather than alleviate it.