Author(s): Amber Best, Makenzie Porter, Kenna Olaya, Rachel Chapman
Mentor(s):
Institution SUU
Research has shown that most students experience different levels of test anxiety, especially in biology courses (Carsely and Heath, 2020). Test anxiety can make students prone to make mistakes, have poor concentration, mood swings, or physical symptoms such as headaches and panic are some of the adverse effects of test anxiety. This test induced panic and fear often prevent students from fully utilizing their knowledge and therefore negatively affects their academic performance and test scores (Gençdoğan et al., 2018) as well as negatively impact learning and memory (Rose and Lomas, 2020). Evidence has shown that mindful coloring may prove effective in decreasing anxiety in students (Carsely and Heath, 2020). This study will analyze the effects mindful coloring and listening to relaxing music has on students' test anxiety. Participants will be divided into 4 groups; the control group will be given a non-coloring activity while the other 3 groups will participate by listening to relaxing music, coloring, or a combination of the two. Each group will first fill out the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and then perform the designated activity. They will then be given a 25 question general biology test to simulate the testing environment. After the test is finished another STAI will be taken by the participants and results will be collected. Comparison pre and post STAI within these methods will determine the most effective method of reducing anxiety among students. The expected outcome is coloring while listening to music will reduce the level of test anxiety significantly, compared to the control group. It is the hope of this study to provide useful suggestions to educators to help improve the testing environment.