Stephanie Fuentebella

Professor Grace Apiafi

Health Education 044
18 October 2015
Case Study Analysis
Katja is just another college student suffering from the stresses and anxieties of
not only being in a new environment, but also keeping up to par with her schoolwork.
Currently, her greatest adversary is test taking. Her anxiety rises as she faces the reality of
losing her scholarship if she does poorly on her next chemistry exam, which is in two
days time.
Many college students are in the same position as Katja. The struggle to keep
afloat in a sea of competition is tough. Taking into account she is attending college on a
scholarship also boosts up her stress levels since in her eyes, her whole future rides on the
opportunity of her attending the school of her choice, and there is no room for error
because of that. Failure to accomplish these developmental tasks may result in life
dissatisfaction. (Newman & Newman, 2008, p.149). This mentality leads to Katjas
rising stress levels, thus, her anxiety attacks over taking exams occurs.
As a young college student myself, I understand the pressure that Katja feels in a
new environment. I ended up moving here to Pasadena on a whim in order to follow
through with my major of being a radiologic technician. It was the first time I would be
physically separated from my parents, and I was afraid of how I would fair on my own. I
am currently living with my relatives, going to school full time, and am working part

time so I do not have to depend on my parents to provide for me as much. It took me

quite a while to adjust to the new setting of a new city and school.
I also sympathize with Katjas anxiety towards test taking. Taking tests is not my
strong point and because I get nervous, I tend to overthink my answers. Even if I study, I
blank out once the test is in front of me and forget all I have studied and learned on the
subject. Katja has a more extreme case than I do that causes her to have what seem to be
panic attacks. What she needs to do is to learn how to calm herself down prior to and
while she is taking an exam.
There are techniques that Katja can use to calm herself down during a test, and
also ways to reduce the stress prior to taking her exams. These so called techniques are
found on various websites. The ones I used are specifically from college and university
counseling websites. For example, our PCC school website posts a quick and easy to read
list of what to do, such as, eating less junk food, getting enough sleep every night, and
exercising regularly to increase ones concentration and relieve stress. The West Virginia
website on the other hand presents a three part plan as to how to manage before, the day
of, and while taking an exam. An alternative to Katja seeing a professional would be to
search up ways to counteract her test anxiety. There may even be a list of techniques
posted on her school website as well.
If I were in Katjas position I feel I would continue to try to manage on my own
unless someone really pushed me to see a professional. From a developmental
perspective, young adult college students transitional development stage requires
developing skills to maintain independence and self-sufficiency (Arnett, 2004, p.149).
Being in a new environment such as a college creates the idea that we should handle

things on our own. Even though, because Katjas condition is so severe, she really should
contact a professional. From a health perspective, a balanced lifestyle is essential to
overcome stress and anxiety. This means eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting
enough sleep every night.

Works Cited
Mahmoud, J.R., Staten R..,Hall, L. A., & Lennie, T.A. (2012). The Relationship Among
Young Adult College Students Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Demographics, Life
Satisfaction, and Coping Styles. Issues In Mental Health Nursing, 33(3),
149-156.

doi:10.3109/01612840.2011.632708

Reducing Test Anxiety. (2013). Pasadena City College WAC/Health Sciences. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.pasadena.edu/hstutoringlab/testtaking/TestPreparationTestAnxiet
y.cfm
Reducing Your Test Anxiety is As Easy As 1-2-3. (2013, Sept. 13). Well WVU Anxiety
and Depression Resources. Retrieved from
https://well.wvu.edu/articles/reducing
your_test_anxiety_is_as_easy_as_1_2_3