"Perseverance is a great element of success;
if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate you are sure to wake up somebody."
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

          This one is really simple and can be done anywhere even for just a

minute or so and even DURING a test...     If you can’t do a problem and start to

freak out, this is a great one!  Close your eyes (unless you're driving, silly!)... 

Slowly breathe in and count 1... 2... 3... 4...  Now, slowly exhale and count 4...

3... 2... 1...  Do this at a pace that you're comfortable with – you don't want to

hyperventilate!  Don't let your mind wander.  Concentrate on those numbers.

Good In, Bad Out

          This one is very similar to "Take a 4 Count," but this one uses a bit of

imagination.  Again, you can do this one anywhere and for even just a brief

time, like during a test.  Close your eyes (if you can)...  Slowly breathe in and

imagine that you are breathing in nothing but good stuff: positive thoughts,

good things, pure air, relaxation...  Now, slowly exhale and imagine that you

are blowing out all your stress, negative thoughts and bad air.  Again, don't

hyperventilate!  Don't let your mind wander.  Concentrate on “good in” and

“bad out.”  Do this until you feel yourself let go and relax.

          Another method is to just scream "serenity now" right in the middle of

your math test!  Just kidding.  That doesn't work and I’m pretty sure that your

math teacher would not appreciate it.

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