Beat test stress! Freakin' over finals? Here are five sweet strategies to help you chill--and rock any exam!

You've worked hard this whole school yeah plowing through homework, raising your hand in class, scoring extra credit Now the exam's coming down, and your buds keep saying you're so gonna ace it. Truth is, you're terrified you're gonna blow this one--and your semester grade--to smithereens. Yep, even the most well-prepped student carl suffer from exam anxiety. Help is here....

DO A REALITY CHECK

You're probably fooling yourself into feeling jittery by setting sky-high expectations. Yeah, it feels great to rack up a top test grade, but pushing to keep up a streak pours on pounds of pressure.

Ask yourself these questions: 1) Am I overreacting--like, will my whole grade really tank if I do less than stellar? And, 2) Do I honestly believe I lack the smarts and strength to handle this test?

Whew! Now that you've regained perspective, your nerves should settle.

REVIEW--DON'T OVERDO

It's perfectly normal to assume you should spend each waking second cramming'--going over every note you took, analyzing all the words your teacher ever uttered--in short, obsessing. Let's press pause for a minute. Yes, it's crucial to put in solid review time, but it's equally important not to make yourself sweaty over unnecessary details.

Your final exam will likely focus on key concepts, so max out your energy on the material your teacher has gone over the most. Once you know those things inside and out, rewind to the background stuff, like less important dates, little-known names, reeeeeally short Civil War battles. Then, keep this info stashed away underneath your thinking cap. Just in case.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE 

Schedule study sessions strategically. One massive marathon will only make you red-alert anxious. Instead, plan two weeks of, say, 30 minutes to an hour a day. That way, you gradually build the knowledge into your brain.

The night before the test? Reinforce the work you've put in by reading through the material one last time. Then slam those books shut and relax--listen to soothing tunes, play with your pooch, take a yummy vanilla bubble bath. Hit the sack early--studies show a good night's sleep helps you remember what you read once the a.m. rolls around.

And what you chow for breakfast the day of finals will help keep you focused. Carbs boost happy brain chemicals, so eat some whole-wheat toast and fruit.

ROCK STEADY

During. the test, keep your nerves in check by carefully reading each question. When you feel sure about an answer, give yourself an inner shout-out--think, "Amazing" or "Got it!"

If you find yourself choking on a question, don't trip up--breathe steadily until it comes to you. Completely stumped? Move on, and go back to it later if there's time. Speaking of ... Avoid clock-watching. Glance at it once when you're halfway through the test, and again when you're at the last question.

DON'T WILT WHILE YA WAIT

For many girls, taking a test isn't half as scary as waiting to get it back with a grade. What happens now is out of your hands, so throw yourself into decorating the gym for the end-of-school dance. Stay busy, and you might even forget about it until your report card arrives!

The thing is, you're gonna take tons of tests in your lifetime, and you'll handle each and every exam with increased skill and self-assurance. We give you an A+ for choosing to handle the heat this time with super self-confidence.