This episode addresses the dreaded feelings and experiences when it comes to: TESTS! Testing is not usually anyone's favorite thing yet it is a normal part of our education system and job culture. Listen to this episode for answers to questions like,

1. What is test anxiety?

2. What are the signs of test anxiety?

3. Where does test anxiety come from?

4. Does test-taking anxiety count as a disability?

5. How can I manage test anxiety?

6. What are test taking tips?

In this episode, Erin, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and OCD Specialist, addresses test anxiety—a form of nervousness affecting students during exams, likening it to a situational specific phobia rooted in the fear of failure. She shares personal anecdotes to illustrate how OCD can exacerbate test anxiety, such as the distraction from not having a comforting item like chapstick during a test. The episode delves into the signs of test anxiety, its origins, and whether it qualifies as a disability, ultimately focusing on empowering listeners to overcome this anxiety. Erin provides practical tips including positive self-talk, visualizing success, ensuring a good night's rest, healthy eating, and effective study techniques such as the Pomodoro Method. She also introduces the concept of 'walk and talk' therapy as a method to manage test anxiety, inviting listeners to join her for sessions. The episode emphasizes skill-building to manage anxiety and improve test-taking strategies, aiming to help listeners navigate their educational journey with confidence.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Test Anxiety

00:39 Understanding Test Anxiety and Its Impact

02:33 Personal Anecdote: A Chapstick Dilemma

03:54 OCD's Influence on Test Performance

05:52 Navigating OCD in the Classroom

07:58 Diving Deeper into Test Anxiety: Signs and Origins

10:01 Empowering Strategies to Overcome Test Anxiety

12:16 Visualizing Success: A Powerful Technique

17:37 Effective Study Habits and the Pomodoro Technique

21:42 Walk and Talk Therapy: A Unique Approach

23:11 Closing Thoughts and Resources