How to Stop Overthinking Tests and Projects

How to Stop Overthinking Tests and Projects

 

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For Students and Parents

 

By

Grace Fleming Education Expert

Thought Co

Updated January 29, 2020

 

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Grace Fleming, M.Ed., is a senior academic advisor at Georgia Southern University, where she helps students improve their academic performance and develop good study skills.

 

 

 

Are you guilty of dwelling on a problem much longer than you should? Many people get caught up in overthinking problems from time to time, but some people make a habit of it. This habit can affect grades and academic performance because students get so caught up in thinking mode that they never get to a good solution.

 

Some people who overthink tend to get stuck in analysis mode by over-analyzing every nook and cranny of a situation repeatedly, and in a circular pattern (around and back again). That situation is sometimes called ​analysis paralysis. It's also one form of procrastination.

 

Analysis Paralysis

It’s not difficult to imagine why this could be unhelpful or even harmful to academic work.

Students who encounter certain kinds of test questions are in danger of analysis paralysis:

 

• Complex essay questions can cause you to get stuck thinking about a single aspect of the question and ignore others.
• You will be at a loss when trying to decide how to start writing an answer to essay questions because there are so many options. This can be a time-waster.
• Long multiple-choice questions can also cause analysis paralysis. You may try to read too much into the question and spin yourself into total confusion.
• You can also overthink their choices in a multiple-choice situation and read more into each choice than you should.
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If the situations above sound familiar, you are like many other students. You are also wise to recognize that this is a potential problem for you. If you know it, then you can address it!

 

Stop Overthinking

Overthinking during a test can really hurt! The big risk you face is failing to complete the test because you think too much and can’t make a decision. Go into the test with a time management plan.

 

As soon as you get the test, do a quick assessment to determine how much time you should spend on each section. The open-ended essay answers are the most time-consuming.

 

If you tend to be an overthinker, you will have to manage your urge to dwell on the many possibilities when trying to answer an open-ended test question. To do this, you must give yourself time to brainstorm, but also give yourself a time limit. Once you reach the predetermined time limit, you must stop thinking and go into action.

 

If you’re facing a multiple-choice, resist the tendency to read too much into the questions and answers. Read the question once, then (without looking at your options) think of a good answer. Then see if this matches one that’s listed. If it does, select it and move on!

 

Thinking Too Much About Assignments

Creative students can also think too much when it comes to getting started on a research paper or a big project because there are so many possibilities. A creative mind loves to explore possibilities.

 

Although it probably goes against your nature, you will have to force yourself to be methodical when selecting a topic. You can be creative and imaginative for the first day or two to come up with a list of possible topics, then stop. Pick one and go with it.

 

Creative projects like fiction writing and art projects can be downright paralyzing as well. There are so many directions you could go! How can you possibly start? What if you make the wrong choice?

 

The truth is that you will continue to create as you go. The final creative project rarely ends up exactly as you intended at first. Just relax, get started, and create as you go. It’s ok!

 

Students can also fall into analysis paralysis when starting to write a school report. The best way to conquer this type of roadblock is to start writing in the middle, don’t try to start at the beginning. You can go back and write the introduction and rearrange your paragraphs as you edit.