For some students, spring does not only bring flowers and sunshine. It can also be that nerve-racking time of the year – finals are here again.

Psi Chi, The Psychology Honors Department, is sponsoring a test-taking anxiety seminar in conjunction with the counseling center Wednesday to help students deal with the pressure.

The seminar will take place at 7 p.m in room 2011 of Lumpkin Hall.

“A number of students suffer from test-taking anxiety and it interferes with their ability to perform as well as they normally could,” said David Onestak, director of the counseling center. “So this seminar comes at a good time.”

Onestak also explained the majority of test-taking stress is not directly related to the exam itself.

Most of the stress is caused by outside pressures like graduation and passing a course. Speakers will focus on eliminating outside influences like these during exams.

The seminar will teach students to recognize symptoms of stress, such as shaky hands and an increase in heart rate, and then demonstrate physical anxiety control.

Mark May, assistant director of academic advising, will cover the test preparation piece of the seminar.

May says that it is best to look at performing well on an exam the same as performing well at any other task.

“We’re going to look at specific strategies that will mimic the test-taking process. Students can use these methods while studying,” May said.

He will be presenting an interactive three-step strategy for success on exams.

“Some anxiety is good. It’s a natural function of the body,” Onestak said.