Teens and adults often deal with anxiety on various levels through-out the day. A study conducted by Sian Beilock, from the University of Chicago, reveals that a simple task of writing down ones “fears” 10 minutes prior to an exam will help boost test scores.
Teens taking tests often have worries and fears of performing poorly on an exam. These fears are “mixed” in with their active thought process, also known as working memory, which is needed to concentrate on the questions. Since teens have their working memory engaged in both these fears and the test they are taking, they cannot devote 100% to the test. Subsequently they perform lower than expected on exams. By writing about anxiety, test takers improved their results by as much as five percent during one part of the study.
Writing down thoughts, especially dealing with anxiety, worries and fears is not a new concept. Beilock is regarded as one of the leading experts in performing poorly under pressure, publishing a book last September titled “Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal about Getting It Right When You Have To.” The results of the study, an improvement of test scores, are a natural extension of the book and his advice on various subjects.
As a college preparatory school, we work with students dealing with anxiety formed from the increased expectations of going to college in our environment, not just simply passing high school. We have various academic services geared towards achieving college acceptance by all our students and we look for methods, such as the results of this study, to assist our students in their education. In addition, these findings, along with Beilock’s book, are something that everyone can benefit from. Any item that has a positive impact on reducing stress and/or increasing performance is note worthy and deserves looking into.
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