My education path when struggling with testing by Hannah

My education path when struggling with testing by Hannah - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

It is finally test day, the worst time of the week. My anxiety has already spiked this morning knowing I have to take this test. Even though I know the information, the word ¨test¨ still scares me and shockingly, I do not know why. I am sitting in this cold classroom with students who are working a mile a minute and I am still staring at the first question with my hands trembling. Seeing all the questions and answer choices make my mind go blank then, it is impossible to finish this test. I keep thinking ¨I cannot wait for this test to be finished and get out of this class.¨ Even with this fear happening, I manage to get reasonable answers down on my paper. Once I finish that last question and close my test, all of the material of that unit rushes to my head. You may think that this is a rare occurrence but, I have been dealing with this fear for every test I have taken.
State testing and I never get along. Since kindergarten, I have been struggling with tests and even when my anxiety is high and I cannot concentrate, I strive to push myself through the grueling period of time. I also use little tricks, like seeing a word in question and matching it with one of the answers or making rhymes within the questions. Normally, this trick helps the information stick in my head. With my high anxiety and having trouble focusing, a small class setting comes in handy all the time. Even the smallest noise, like somebody tapping their feet, knocks me off course.
My IEP teaches me more than just academics and I also learn to take baby steps along the way. Having an IEP does not just give me extra help, but it also challenges me to grow in other ways as well. I learn how to balance different learning habits and figure out which ones work best. I also am able to stay motivated when I take longer than others on tests, which helps me over the years by learning to take my time. At first, I did not want the label of having an IEP or being pulled out of class for extra help, but over time, I became thankful for having the extra push to help me succeed. Some people may find it odd, but school helps me in so many other things, not just academics, for example, I can go out and get a job on the spot. I also receive positive remarks from past teachers about my attitude and work ethic.
One of the biggest things I learn is that success is different for everyone. For me, it is not always finishing the test or assignment first, instead it is about the small progress I make over time. It is also about showing dedication and having a positive mindset, even when classes get difficult. My success is celebrating small victories with my family when I get an 80% on a class test. As I move forward in life, I know that there will be challenges, but I also have the tools to face them and, most importantly, the mindset to overcome them.