Running head: PROJECT 3 CASE STUDY ANALYSIS 1

Case Study Analysis

Joshua D. Lewis
Pasadena City College
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On the whole, it is June 2, 2019 just two weeks before finals and Katya, a freshman this

year at PCC with a grade point average of 3.0 is planning her study schedule. Katya is a

motivated student and persistent studier, however very often she experiences harsh anxiety prior

to taking exams based on her assumption that her efforts to study do not make a difference in her

overall stress level.

It is two weeks before the end of the semester and Katya has a B+ in her chemistry class

and needs an A or else she will lose her academic scholarship for next year. This situation puts

Katya into a bad position, where the pressure to ace the exam has exceeded her stress intake.

Because of this, earlier this afternoon Katya experienced test anxiety stimulating a panic attack

in the middle of her study. Her chemistry exam final was scheduled earlier than expected

because her professor is out of town finals week so her exam is in two days and she needs help.

The next portion of text will cover my personal experience.

In my personal experience as a college student and having to deal with test anxiety I can

absolutely relate to Katya. This experience is common in the sense that finals season brings out

the worst in us all. In order to counteract test anxiety in my experience I would primarily focus

on stopping studying alone and reach out to the many resources to college students for help. In

my experience when I feel as though I am about to feel high levels of test anxiety I first went to

my professors office hours and communicated how important this exam is and request resources

to help me study and get my questions answered. Second, I have gone to the tutor for chemistry

in the Student Service Center building located on campus. Third, I contacted a peer or friend in

the class and asked if they have time to study with me. Fourth, I reach out to students that have

taken the course before, ideally people that can help estimate the level of difficulty based on their
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experience. Fith, I go outside on a walk. I always try to take some time away from studying for

leisure in a place where you can fully let loose and clear your head for at least one hour. The next

portion of text will cover credible recommendations.

Experts in this field recommend above all else for college students to (1) eat well, (2) get

enough sleep, (3) keep moving , (4) engage in relaxation techniques, (5) be prepared, (6)

remember to breath, (7) seek help at your institution and (8) seek help outside of school

(​Donatelle, 2008). ​The next portion of text will wrap up this case.

In conclusion if I were in Katya’s position I would absolutely seek professional help

because while being a college student, the university or college has services for students to

receive help. If students like Katya had no professional help or resources located on campus it

would be an unproductive environment since it is common for students to need extra help when

dealing with test anxiety. From a health perspective, some actions that one can take to decrease

anxiety and learn optimism is by putting the exam into context. First, it is not the end of the

world if she does not pass the exam. It is extremely common for people to miss the mark, not on

purpose of course. I would talk with a friend or peer that has graduated and been in a similar

situation to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If one stops at the problem and

does not think about the outcome in the future then it is easy to stay in that state of anxiety which

destroys health. Lastly, good ways to form realistic expectations before beginning each semester

is to read the entire syllabus, talk with counselors and students that have previously taken the

course, search your professor on ratemyprofessor.com for information. I would always have

realistic expectations because some classes consume more time than others, for example choose

courses wisely. If you know that you are not strong at chemistry start by taking the intro course.
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Resources
1. Donatelle, R. J. (2008). ​Health: The basics​. Toronto: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.