Explore more posts

Username: miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

Lightbulb with text that reads "Auto-generated title"

How can I manage test anxiety and improve my study approach for midterms?

Midterms

I just got my midterm 2 grade back from thermodynamics I got a 12/63. The lowest grade in the class I’m trying my best to stay calm and not want to punish myself. Now I’m laying in bed and I have another midterm next week for statics where I am failing but I did well on the last 2 quizzes so I’m at a 52% also I’ve been going to office hours it’s been helping. I found out today my issue why I fail my exams and quizzes is because I have test anxiety to the point when I sit down I forget everything ( I studied 7 hours a day 5 days before the midterm). I was thinking to prepare for this next midterm to do the opposite not study more then 4 hrs a day ( I study 8 hrs plus a day including hmw) and try to time myself for each question to do the homework and lecture questions and if I don’t get it done in that time look at the answer and come back to it later on ( so I don’t memorize the answer). I have not the best memory so I won’t remember the answer after 10 minutes lol. I’m not trying to beat myself up for failing but I’m trying to find a different approach. Any advice? Also I barely studied 4 hours this morning but a part of me wants to get up and study not because I have to but to beat myself up about failing :(

Username: WhaleSharkWhaleShark

Date posted: 22d ago

Something that isn't quite related to this but I was reminded of was- you can't hate yourself into a better person..similarly you can't punish yourself into doing better (long term anyway). From the sounds of it, you're an incredibly hard worker and forcing yourself to do more work as punishment won't fix the anxiety you feel when you're doing the test. Be kind to yourself please or you'll burn out !!! Exams and tests r so stressful- what I find might help is don't feel like time is against you, in the grand scheme of things you're given enough time to think and answer and probably a little extra time too so when you sit down- don't bother looking at the paper, take a deep breath and calm yourself look through the test and I can't stress this enough, start with the easy things!!! When u do that you start getting into the flow of answering and don't "forget" as much. Idk everything but that was my take, you got this!!!!!! Take care of yourself 🥹

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@WhaleShark Ty 😊

Username: hanysm@gmail.comhanysm@gmail...

Date posted: 22d ago

Have you thought about discussing your situation with the school council or your teacher?

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@hanysm@gmail.com Yes, my counselor tells me to give myself a break. I actually see her tmr.

Username: GermanCowboyGermanCowboy

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 22d ago

I’m a professor at a (relatively prestigious) university and I want to say that I completely 100% get where you’re coming from. You got this! If I could get my PhD with a rather severe case of OCD, so can you succeed in getting your college degree. I would try approaching and letting both the school counselor and your professor know. I know doing the latter may seem intimidating, but not all of us are as evil as we seem. I understand why students would think that though. Academia is a very ableist circle and in the old days it was sink or swim. But that’s changing for the better. Try it and if the professor refuses to accommodate you, then that’s a reflection on them and also a lawsuit waiting to happen. The school counselor can help you get accommodations for you to succeed. Also, yes, STEM subjects are especially challenging. I am a math professor and I’m still struggling to find the right approach to teach calculus. All the best!

Username: 1230Anonymous1230Anonymous

Date posted: 22d ago

Honestly thermodynamics sounds hard AF!! What is your major, and do you like the classes (and just not doing well on the tests), or do you not like the classes either?

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@1230Anonymous Mechanical Engineering I hate it but I am a junior. I really wanted to do criminal justice but it’s too late to switch. My family promised to pay for my school if I choose medical or engineering and now they don’t help. So I’m stuck with a degree I hate

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@1230Anonymous But I can’t think of a major I can switch to without losing credits for what I’ve done so I’m trying to hang in there to graduate in 2026 then get a masters in criminal justice or go to law school maybe. My dream is to work as a tech analyst for the fbi or a lawyer. I love fbi shows I have ever since I was a kid . I just feel like I took the wrong path to where I want to be :(

Username: 1230Anonymous1230Anonymous

Date posted: 22d ago

@miku -_- I’d REALLY consider doing something that you want to do. I picked accounting/finance and hated the major from day 1… ten years into my career and Im not any more passionate about it and more or less have hated work, so am now considering a career switch. Does that mean your parents aren’t paying regardless? It sounds like you are passionate about criminal justice… as a first semester junior, you absolutely have time to switch if you want to major in criminal justice! Freshman and sophomore years are primarily elective classes and you will have tons of credits that transfer. I imagine you will probably have to do one more semester or year, but I highly recommend making the switch now. If you are going to stick with engineering, at least make sure that you have a plan for after graduation or some sort of job that sounds interesting to you in the field

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@1230Anonymous Thank you everyone is telling me to switch and I really want to 😊

Username: 1230Anonymous1230Anonymous

Date posted: 22d ago

@miku -_- Nice!! Just seeing this second message - I would get over to the career counseling center ASAP, and they will be able to advise. I don’t know if sticking with your current major is better or worse for what you want to do as a career. But if you can save yourself future coursework by changing paths now (even if it means a few more undergrad credits), I would highly recommend that… it sounds like you have a goal in mind, so I would try to work towards that on a direct path starting today (and not considering what you decided to initially major in).

Username: 1230Anonymous1230Anonymous

Date posted: 22d ago

@miku -_- Yes do it!! Everything sounds like you should (unless financially your parents won’t pay for your degree if you switch, that would be a big consideration, but also would be worth a discussion with your parents as to why they would only pay for a degree you have no passion in)

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@1230Anonymous Thank you! I also thought about maybe switching my engineering to architectural I love the building aspect of engineering. The school I’m transferring to doesn’t have that so. Like you said I need to meet with an advisor and see my options for sure.

Username: 1230Anonymous1230Anonymous

Date posted: 22d ago

@miku -_- Ah nice! Yeah I’d just try to talk to the advisor as soon as possible since they are probably registering for classes next semester already or very soon! Good luck, Hope you are able to make the switch!

Username: SpecklesSpeckles

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 22d ago

@miku -_- Yes... switch!! Believe me I'm too old to go back to school. I wish more that I stayed... can't find a job

Username: miku -_-miku -_-

Date posted: 22d ago

@Speckles Thank you!

Username: Klaire

Date posted: 4y ago

Just a quick anxiety episode: I just posted some hw for a psychology class and I think I did a pretty good job. Its been 5 yrs of college and I know my brain is burned out at this time & my expression has been okay at most. I dont ever care about 'likes' or replies but i looked to see how many people commented on my assignment. None. I posted my hw earlier & we all have to reply to 2 others in the class. Then i look over at another student's work and its nicely formated & neat. 4 replies. Suddenly, this anxiety kicks in....her's is better than mine......im not enough....my work is not enough......im not enough.....I know for SURE how to become a better writer. I know how to better my abilities, I know how they've included examples and the text and I know im stressed with finals but this feeling under my rib cage is soft but there. I think, just deep down inside.....whwn faced with my best or 90%, somehow, someway, i dont ever feel adequate.

Username: snva

Date posted: 3y ago

Tw I want to kill myself but I also want to be alive so badly. I have two exams this week and one tomorrow and I haven’t even started studying and I don’t know anything. I hate it because I was irritated when my parents kept telling me to study but I can’t do anything I just want to die I don’t even think the material is that hard there’s just a lot of it and I can’t even remember the last time I was able to focus I just wish I died right now what’s the point of studying if I’ll hate myself forever lmaooooooooooooo

Username: trainwreck

Date posted: 1y ago

falling behind in school

it's second semester of my second year of college and i'm already skipping classes like crazy. it's so bad because a lot of my teachers this year do not take attendance, which just makes me not want to go at all. but i feel even if they did i wouldn't go this semester because i've just been so a mess. i also haven't been doing any of my coursework so right now i'm just nervous. my parents said i better do good this semester because i have a scholarship as well and will lose it if my GPA is below 3. but i just feel like because of me i have bigger things right now to worry about other than school but my family wouldn't understand how bad it is right now. i tell them but i cannot talk about it with them in a way they will understand. plus i do not discuss the content of my intrusive thoughts that i have with anybody at all because i'm just so terrified of myself and hate myself right now

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

How can I manage test anxiety and improve my study approach for midterms?

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community