The document provides information on note-taking, test anxiety, and strategies to combat anxiety. It discusses why note-taking is important for retaining information, outlines different note-taking methods like outlining and Cornell notes, and tips for effective note-taking. It then defines test anxiety and its emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms. Finally, it offers strategies to reduce anxiety like preparing well in advance, using positive self-talk, deep breathing exercises, and tips for different types of test questions.

1. Note-Taking and Test
Anxiety
Alaina Hanks

2. Goals
● Understand why you take notes
● Learn new methods of note-taking
● Overview of test-anxiety
● Discover new methods of combatting test anxiety
● Tips on different types of tests

3. Reasons we don’t take notes
● I work better on my laptop
○ Do you stay on task?
● Taking notes never worked before for me
○ How many methods have you tried?
● I pay better attention when I just listen
○ Do you retain that information?
● I remember what the professor says
○ How do you study without that information?

4. Why should we take notes?
● You pay more attention in class
● You can take what the professor says
and put it in your own words
● Offers you an opportunity to review for
tests
● Gives you a chance to learn more

5. You retain 30% of
what you hear
You remember 50% of what you hear and see together. Simply looking at
powerpoints and listening will only take you so far.

6. Outline Method
● Here you would begin with a main point
○ Followed by sub-points
○ Or supporting information
○ You could also note questions you would like answered
● Then there would another main point
○ And you could also add in direct quotes
● Outlines work well in most cases
○ They also make studying easier

7. Outline Method Continued
Useful for complex topics
Creates outline of main topics and
supporting ideas
Helpful when studying
Forces you to make sense of the lecture
as you go because you need to
understand the main points
Utilizes indents, bullets, numbers or
letters

8. Cornell Method
● With this method, you divide your paper in two
columns
● On the left side, you write down key terms or
main ideas
● You could also note any questions you need
answered on the left side
● On the right side, you write definitions next to
key terms or main ideas
● After class, as part of a review you write a
summary at the bottom
● Works especially well for studying, as you can

12. Mind Mapping Tips
Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors
Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your mind map
Select keywords and print using upper or lower case letters
Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line
The lines should be connected, starting from the central image
Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support
Use multiple colors throughout the mind map, for visual stimulation and also for encoding or grouping
Develop your own personal style of mind mapping
Use emphasis and show associations in your mind map
Keep the mind map clear by using radial hierarchy or outlines to embrace your branches

13. Note-Taking Tips
Consider using a 3-ring binder and loose-
leaf paper
Bring extra pens/pencils to class
Be alert, get there early
Always prep your notes with the date and
topic/chapter
Write on only one side of the paper
Try not to doodle (unless you are mind-
mapping)
Use abbreviations when you can
Leave blank spaces if you have questions
that you want answered for your notes
No matter what method you use, review
your notes within 24 hours
Find what works best for you and your
classes
Sit in the front/center, it’s easier to pay
attention when you up close
Save your notes from classes if you are

14. Let’s Practice!
As I talk, you will take notes in any method
you want
Outline
Cornell
Mindmap
Afterward, we will pair and share
Did you miss information? Was this method
helpful? What would better?
Group discussion of methods will follow

15. What Is Test Anxiety?
Test anxiety is a feeling of distress
or agitation and refers to the
emotional reactions that some
people have to exams.
Some anxiety about tests is normal
but if it begins to cause
problems, it needs to be
addressed

16. What would you do?
Your test in sociology is today
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst) how would
you rate your test anxiety?
How much time should you have spent studying?
Where did you study?
How did you study?
What did you do the night/morning before you test?
How did you know you were ready for the exam?

17. Emotional Symptoms
Anger
Fear
Panic
Restlessness
Nervousness
Continual Doubt
Helplessness

18. Physical Symptoms
Nausea
Tension
Headache
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Light-headedness and feeling faint
Panic attacks can occur in extreme
cases

19. Behavioral Symptoms
Difficulty concentrating
Inability to organize thoughts
Thinking negatively about your ability
Comparing yourself to others
Indecisive about answers
Mind going blank

20. Where Does Test Anxiety Come From?
Lack of preparation
Poor study habits, cramming the night before
can lead to test anxiety
Fear of failure
Generally associated with those who tie their
self-worth to the outcomes of tests
Poor test history
Worrying about previous bad experiences with
tests can lead to starting tests with a
negative mindset
Test anxiety can trigger a fight or
flight response in your brain
because your mind sees it as a
threat. How can you fight it instead
of letting yourself run from it?

21. What can we do about it?
Prepare (this is where good notes can help)
by studying weeks ahead of the test, not
hours
Sleep the night before, try to get to bed early
Eat breakfast, exercise, meditate - do
whatever you normally do in the mornings
Arrive early, bring your materials if you are
allowed
Don’t study the day of the test, review your
notes quickly but don’t take in new info
When you get the test, relax - take deep
breaths and then look through the entire
thing
Schedule out your time if it is a timed test -
higher point questions or essay questions
usually need more time
Try thinking of the test as a puzzle to solve,
reframing what it is can help control your
anxiety
Practice deep breathing (more on that soon)
Develop a positive mindset (and more on this

22. Positive Mindset
Reframe your negative thoughts into positive thoughts,
this takes time and practice but it’s been proven to be
vital to success for most people.
● I don’t have enough
○ I don’t see why I need to “have”
in order to be happy when
happiness stems from deep
within
● I should’ve done it yesterday
○ Today is a good time to do this
● I wish I wish I wish
○ I can I will I shall

23. Positive mindset - Let’s reframe these thoughts
● I’m going to fail.
● This test is so difficult!
● Oh no, everyone else is done. I’m on question 10.
I’m going too slow!
● My mind is blank and I know nothing.
● I hate this class and this test.
● Nobody will ever need to know this stuff!

24. Breathing Activity
1. Close your eyes.
2. Breath through your nose. Breathe in deeply
into your abdomen. Pause before you exhale.
3. Breathe out from your abdomen slowly.
4. Use each inhalation as a moment to become
aware of any tension in your body. Use each
exhalation as an opportunity to let go of
tension.
5. Repeat once, then return to the test.

25. Other tips for anxiety
Survey entire test when you get it, that’s how
you can plan your time
Read through and cross out anything you know
is wrong, if you are able to mark the test
Sometimes it helps to read the question, look
away and think of the answer, then find it
among the options

26. Test Tips
Matching and True/False
Examine both lists to find relationships
between terms
Read through entire list
Avoid guessing until all absolute matches are
made
Questions that state a reason tend to be
false
Strategies for multiple choice work for
true/false as well
Multiple Choice
Eliminate or cross out incorrect options
Studies indicate that if you are at a complete
loss, B or C tend to be correct slightly
more often
Be mindful of the language used
E.g. Which cities are located in the U.S.?
Miami
Houston

27. Test Tips Continued
Essay Exams and Short Answer
Estimate how long it will take to answer
Use principles of a good English composition
Sketch out a simple outline for essays
When appropriate, use details to support your
answer
Re-read your answers to ensure it is
answering the question explicitly
Problems
Write down important formulas or equations
before you begin the exam
If you struggle with a problem, move on and
come back later
Show all of the steps in your work, even if the
final answer is wrong you may get credit
for doing the work
Re-check your answers

28. Questions?

29. Test anxiety is
manageable and
note-taking can be
a key to helping
with this.

30. Thanks!