FIRST YEAR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

 February 14, 2006

 

Study Skills Tip of the Week: Test Anxiety
Do you feel particularly anxious when you take a timed test or exam? There are ways to ease your anxiety. Remember when you do homework and study, you are ultimately preparing for an exam. Before the exam, simulate a timed test for yourself. Deliberately duplicate what seems stressful to you about the examination setting. Give yourself a certain number of homework problems or an old test obtained from your professor and sit at a desk in a classroom or in the library. Do not work with other students, do not look at the answers, do not fiddle with your pencils. Give yourself a set time to finish the sample exam or problems. Set a timer or an alarm on your watch or phone. Work the problems within the given time period. Rinse. Repeat. Rinse. Repeat. In other words, keep simulating the exam setting. While simulating timed exams may not be pleasant, the simulations may trigger the same feelings you experience during real exams. But the object is to desensitize yourself by repeating the experiences in shorter doses.

 

When you receive the real exam, set it down on your desk. Close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath. Exhale. Relax your shoulders. Visualize the studying you did, and your preparation for the exam. Tell yourself, "I have done my best to get ready for this test. Now it's time to show what I know. I can do this!" Smile. Open your eyes. Begin the exam. The relaxation exercise should only take a moment or two. You should practice the relaxation technique with each of your simulated exams.

 

If you continue to be overwhelmed by exam anxiety, you might want to talk with a professional counselor in University Counseling Services. Call 785-4014 to make an appointment.

 

 

The Healthy Lives Tip of the Week: Healthy Relationships

Valentines Day is a reminder to us about how important relationships are to our social, emotional, and even physical health.  We should take time more than once a year, however, to reflect upon the quality of our relationships because healthy relationships are so critical to our well-being.  Healthy relationships enhance our self-esteem and our satisfaction with the quality of our lives.  Unhealthy relationships can have the opposite results.  We often spend a great deal of time considering what we are getting out of our relationships.  It might be useful to think about what we are giving as a partner in relationships.  Below is a Relationship Report Card; this tool can help you determine how you measure up in relationships.  It might be fun to have your partner grade you as well.

 

 

A

B

C

D

F

Those with whom I relate are physically and emotionally safe in our relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

I keep confidences and am loyal in my relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

I devote time and energy to my relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

I provide emotional support and understanding in my relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

I bring out the best in others.

 

 

 

 

 

I am honest and respectful in my relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

I am fun to be with and help others feel at ease.

 

 

 

 

 

I engage in meaningful and open conversations in my relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

I am open to feedback regarding how my behavior affects others.

 

 

 

 

 

I express emotions appropriately in my relationships.

 

 

 

 

 

The best way to enrich your current relationship and develop new relationships is to work on your own relationship attitudes and skills.  As you become a better relationship partner, the quality and health promoting power of your relationships will improve.

Resource of the Week: University Counseling Services

University Counseling Services (UCS) provides group, short-term individual, and relationship counseling, as well as consultation and referral services free of charge to all Truman State University students. UCS staff provide training and educational programs for University groups and organizations. Programs which help prevent mental health problems or enhance student well-being can be presented by the professional counselors at UCS. UCS also sponsors a peer education program (S.T.E.P.), which provides programs on sexual assault, diversity, and related issues. UCS is located in the building just west of Grim Hall. Phone: 785-4014.

 

Quote of the Week

"I believe in the absolute and unlimited liberty of reading. I believe in wandering through the stacks and picking out the first thing that strikes me. I believe in choosing books based on the dust jacket. I believe in reading books because others dislike them or find them dangerous. I believe in choosing the hardest book imaginable. I believe in reading up on what others have to say about this difficult book, and then making up my own mind."

 

--From the The Joy and Enthusiasm of Reading from NPR Morning Edition Series "This I Believe"

(http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4816313) You can hear the entire short essay at the website.

 

The First Year Weekly Newsletter is sent to all new students every Tuesday. It provides information, tips, and strategies to help you be successful at Truman. If you do not want to receive the newsletter, see the directions below on how to remove your name from the mailing list.