The Influence of Focused Attention Meditation on College Students’ Test-Related Emotions, Performance, and Study Habits

This study examined the impact of focused attention meditation (FAM) on exam-related emotions, exam performance, and study habits in college students.Participants (n = 60, 65% female) were randomly divided into three groups: a passive control group and two meditation groups (20 minutes once per day or 10 minutes twice per day). The experimental manipulation took place for 7 days prior to a difficult exam of each student's choosing. Daily measures of mood were collected during the intervention and for 14 days following the exam, in addition to exam scores and subjectively reported study habits.Participants who meditated for 20 minutes once per day scored 9% higher on their exam and experienced less anxiety compared to the control group, but there were no significant differences in study time or efficiency. None of these findings were evident in the 10 minutes twice per day group.Our findings suggest that brief periods of meditation can effectively combat exam anxiety and enhance exam performance in college students, with the timing of meditation being a potentially mediating factor. These results contribute to the growing body of literature on the benefits of meditation for mental health and academic achievement.