When I get stuck on a problem, I have strategies for what to do next. They include moving on to the next problem, looking at the answers or restarting the question. If I don’t know what I am doing at all, I move onto the next question and come back to it at the end. This helps me because I continue the flow of answering questions and I stay focused. Then I can use my excess time to figure out the question that I am stuck on. Sometimes I look at the answers to see the solution and try to figure it out based on the new information. I kind of work backwards and make sure the steps I do are right to get to the correct solution. If I am in the middle of the question and the numbers just aren’t working out and I know that its not going to lead to the solution, I restart the question. This helps restart my brain and ease confusion.
I can prevent some school-related stress by finishing as much homework and assignments in class. Most of my stress is caused by homework and trying to complete it on time. I stay up late trying to finish it because I have extracurricular activities that I need to do after school that takes up a lot of time. So finishing homework in class will help me reduce my amount of homework and lower my stress levels.
When I am feeling anxious about a test, I can calm myself by telling myself that its not going to be hard and to get it over with. Gaslighting by telling myself it isn’t hard helps me a lot because I know how do to the work, but its just my brain telling me I cant do it. But if I tell my brain that its not going to be hard and that I can do it, then it gets rid of those negative thoughts. The tests are only an hour long so telling myself to get it over with helps because I’ve already finished three other blocks of classes and the time will go by quick.
When I need to boost my mood or re-focus, I listen to music. If I am tired and need some energy, I listen to up beat music to get my mood up. If I need to lock in and finish quickly, I listen to rap because its fast pasted and lowkey. Music really helps me in determining my mood and focusing on work that I need to do. It blocks out any other noise in the classroom and puts me in a different zone. Wearing my earbuds is also a sign to other people that I am locked in and to not disturb me while I am working.
