Project Page 3

For my 3rd project I was assigned a case study. It was a student struggling with motivation and anxiety. My main focus on this student was to focus on their mental health by reaching out for help which is never a bad idea.

Katya puts a lot of pressure on herself. She is suffering from performance anxiety. With a 3.0 GPA her grades seem to be fine, but apparently, she has to pass her chemistry exam or else she will lose her scholarship. This is sending her into a panic attack. I never dealt with anxiety before my exams, but I have taken many important exams and have passed. I would try to help Katya multiple ways. First off, I would have Katya reach out to her school about her mental health issues and see if she can get compensation or help for her situation, Katya is obviously in need of help and needs something to help her. Secondly, I would get Katya to practice taking deep breaths and staying calm before her exams. Last, I would have Katya do positive reinforcement with herself, by having her repeat positive phrases and think in a more positive manner. I would also have her take a look at “The importance of exam related self-efficacy” which is an article aimed to help test performance. By doing these 3 things it can help limit her panic attacks or eliminate them all together. Building these habits could lead to long term success for Katya.


Putwain, D. W., & Symes, W. (2018). Teachers’ use of fear appeals and students’ anxiety: The importance of exam-related self-efficacy. Educational Psychology, 38(8), 1041–1058.

My reflection:
In my third project, I analyzed a case study about a student named Katya who was struggling with motivation and anxiety due to academic pressure. Although she maintained a solid 3.0 GPA, the fear of losing her scholarship if she did not pass her chemistry exam created intense stress and triggered panic attacks. While I personally have not experienced anxiety before exams, working through this case helped me better understand how overwhelming academic expectations can become for some students.

Reflecting on Katya’s situation, I realized how important it is for students to seek support rather than trying to handle everything alone. Encouraging her to reach out to her school’s mental health services would provide her with professional resources and possibly academic accommodations. I also focused on practical strategies she could use to manage anxiety in the moment, such as deep breathing, staying grounded, and practicing positive self-talk to rebuild confidence. Additionally, exploring research like “The Importance of Exam-Related Self-Efficacy” by Putwain and Symes helped me see how a student’s belief in their ability to perform can reduce fear and improve outcomes.

Overall, this case made me more aware of how mental health directly impacts academic performance. By developing healthier coping strategies and accessing support systems, students like Katya can create long-term habits that reduce anxiety and promote success inside and outside the classroom.