Short-term online support against exam anxiety

After approximately one hour of online application, a decrease in exam anxiety reported by university students was observed. The change was more pronounced in students who initially had higher anxiety.

In a study conducted at a university in the USA, the responses of 145 students who completed evaluations before and after the application were examined. The platform used was developed by researchers from Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University and South Dakota State University.

On the platform where students could progress at their own pace, the relationship between exam anxiety and thoughts, emotions, and bodily reactions was addressed. Examples aimed at recognizing anxiety-inducing thoughts were presented through short animations. Breathing and relaxation exercises, calming sounds, and digital activities were also intended to support students in managing their tension.

The application was conducted in a single class session attended by students with their computers or tablets. Measurements taken immediately after the session showed a decrease in students who initially reported moderate to high levels of anxiety, while no significant change was found in those with low anxiety. This difference indicates the importance of planning support content according to students' needs.

Researchers evaluate that short online applications could be a tool that complements psychological counseling services in universities. However, since there was no comparison group in the study, it cannot be determined to what extent the observed decrease was due to the application. Since no measurements were taken in the following days, it is also not yet known whether the change is permanent.

The research was published in the Journal of American College Health.

Article access link
https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2608833