Managing Test Anxiety

Do you experience nervousness and anxiety before taking an exam? Do you worry that you might not be able to recall the correct answer in a test environment? If so, you are not alone. Feelings of nervousness and self-doubt are extremely common.

Here are a few tips that can help to alleviate some of the "butterflies" experienced in the run-up to an exam.

Prior to the Exam
1) Visualize yourself taking the exam. Picture the physical space of the exam room in your head. Create an image of yourself at a desk, methodically going through the exam. If possible, determine the test format and the total number of questions prior to the exam day.

2) Give yourself extra travel time on the day of exam. Anticipate traffic or delays in the subway.

3) Arrive to the exam 15 minutes early. Before you enter the classroom, organize yourself by turning off your cell phone, putting away test prep. materials, and readying anything you need for the exam (e.g. #2 pencil).

4) Utilize positive self-talk. In the moments before an exam, it is important to reassure yourself and to focus on positive thoughts. Here are some examples to help you get started: "I prepared to the best of my ability," "I am ready for this exam," "I believe in myself," "I am capable of doing well," and "I am proud of myself for taking on this challenge."

5) Relax your body and clear your mind by breathing in deeply over several seconds and then slowly releasing your breath. Repeat this technique at least three times.

During the Exam
6) As soon as you receive your exam, scan it to get a sense for the types of questions and the total number of questions. Read all instructions.

7) Methodically go through the exam. If your mind goes blank on a question and you feel a sense of panic coming over you, take a deep breath, employ positive self-talk for a moment and then refocus your attention back to the exam.

8) If you cannot recall or identify the answer to a question, make a notation by the question and move on to the next question. In instances were your time may be limited, answer what you are confident in first, and then spend any remaining time on re-examining the more challenging questions.

The best way to build confidence in test taking is to be fully prepared for the exam, which requires significant and effective studying throughout the semester. That said, severe anxiety can still impact a fully-prepared student's performance.

If you feel like anxiety is affecting your academic performance, contact your academic advisor and the Office of Academic Advising & Learning Development immediately. We are here to help and support you!

Lastly, whatever your level of anxiety, take advantage of the counseling services and stress-relief workshops offered by NYU's Student Health & Wellness Center.

A Big Welcome...

To our new Assistant Dean of Advising and Academic Services - Dr. Rachelle Sussman Rumph. We sat down with Rachelle to ask her a few questions so you could all get to know her better. 

What is your role at the College of Nursing?
As the Assistant Dean of Advising and Academic Services, I oversee the professional advising staff and all issues pertaining to advising at NYUCN. I also advise students and support our faculty advisors. 

What do you look forward to most in your new role?
Having the opportunity to help the NYUCN student population realize their intellectual and professional goals as much as possible. Getting to know students, learning more about your backgrounds, experiences, and circumstances that brought you here to NYUCN.


How long have you been at NYU?
I have been at NYU in various roles since 2000. I started as an Academic Advisor at Steinhardt in the Media, Culture, and Communication (MCC) department. I pursued a PhD in MCC, and I am also an adjunct instructor in MCC. Most recently, I was the Associate Director of Academic Support at the College of Arts & Science.

What is your favorite part of NYU?
The diversity you find at NYU, geographically, among student populations, and the diversity of opinions and professional backgrounds within the University. I am also amazed by our faculty at NYU. And of course, the location and delicious food options that surround us.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of being the Assistant Dean of Advising?
A majority of my time is spent raising my two little ones. My daughter is six and my son is three; they keep me quite busy so while I am not here, I am tending to them! 

Lastly, what are your tips for success for our nursing students?
Use the resources around you. NYU has so many, including amazing faculty, professional advisors, tutoring centers, the writing center, and the University Learning Center. 
Also, remember that your time in college goes by quickly. We are aware you are very busy, but it's important to take stock and remember this is a wonderful time for you as you're pursuing your career goals in a top notch research University, in one of the greatest cities in the world. It's an exciting time.

We are all very excited to have Rachelle join our team as our new leader. Make sure you stop by the office and say hello to her! 

Welcome to the New Semester!

As we head into the first few weeks here in the College of Nursing, we want to make sure that you are doing what you can to be a successful student. So start the term off on the right foot and follow these tips:

Read your syllabi! It may sound obvious, but make sure you attend the first day of class and go over your syllabi. Everything you need to know will be somewhere in this important document, so make sure to spend some time reading it over and learning about the layout (scheduling, attendance, grading) of your classes.

Get organized! Buy a planner or update your Google Calendar with your NetID. Whatever you prefer to use, just make sure you use something! Update your planner with all the assignment and test dates in your classes. Being organized makes for more efficient time use and less unwanted surprises.

Go to class! This one is simple. It may be tempting to get an extra hour of sleep, but skipping class is the easiest way to fall behind. You pay tuition, so get your money’s worth!

Talk to your Professors! Whether it is after class or during office hours, professors at NYU love to talk to their students. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you’re falling behind, as many professors are willing to spend extra time with you to help get you where you need to be.

Get involved! NYU has hundreds of clubs and activities for you to get involved in. Whatever your interests are, there is sure to be a group of students that are interested in the same thing. Joining clubs is a great way to meet new people and to simply unwind from the stress of schoolwork.

Explore the City! NYU students have the unique opportunity to be in and of New York City - one of the greatest cities in the world. There is always something to do in the city no matter what you are interested in. There are concerts, museums, zoos—and discount deals on all of the above for those who know where to look. Make sure to check out and sign up for NYU TicketCentral’s mailing list for tickets to exclusive shows and events.

Remember S for Nursing Success!!

As a nursing student in a rigorous program, we have no doubt that your goal is to be academically successful and land the job that you want after graduation!  Students are continuously seeking mentorship and often secret tips for success from top nursing leaders who they trust. These 5 Tips for Success from our very own NYU College of Nursing Dean Eileen Sullivan-Marx will definitely assist you!

Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is essential to good health and doing well in class, so make sleep a priority! Adults require an average of 7-8 hours of sleep a night – every night – but everyone is different. Some people need more sleep, while others need less. When you don’t get enough, your body keeps a tab of how much you owe! This cumulative lack of sleep impacts your alertness, mood, attention, and cognitive functions. The more you owe, the worse your performance will become. Establish a sleep schedule that works for you and stick to it!

Shine

What do you feel passionately about? What are you really good at? When you focus on those questions and pursue the answers, the rewards are limitless. Nurses are very fortunate in their ability to focus their careers where they find inspiration, which is why you find nurses engaged in such an incredible number of exciting areas. Dr. Emerson Ea was recently featured on this blog about his book, 201 Careers in Nursing. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to read that entry and think about where you want to go with your nursing degree. Find where your passion and profession intersect and you will find yourself ideally positioned to become a shining example of nurse leadership!

Study

There is no way around it – successful students study. Study, study, study! I cannot stress that enough. You are working to enter a field where a solid understanding of science, ethics, and sound judgment are critical. Balancing these elements to care for others is what Martha Rogers (who lead NYU Nursing for many years) called the art of nursing. Mastering this art demands continual study. Nursing science is ever-evolving, which means nurses are always learning new and better ways to deliver care. Establish good study habits now, don’t waste a moment of your time at NYUCN.

Search

Remember – your education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Much of what you learn happens throughout the course of your time in this remarkable city. Make the most of where you are! Seek out opportunities that compliment what you learn in the classroom and that inform your understanding of nursing science and practice. From global opportunities to one-of-a-kind clinical sites, inspiration and opportunities to learn are all around you in NYC! So get out there!

Stay Connected

College is a busy time. Just tackling the other Ss can fill up your day! With so much to get done, it is important to remember that you are not alone! You have a support network of family, friends, fellow students, advisors, and professors who want you to succeed and who are there for you. Keep in touch with your network. Tell them how you are doing and reach out to them when you need encouragement or want to celebrate a success. Having good people rooting for you can make all the difference!