By Stacy Bjorkman
Information
Statistics is a required course in many degree programs and research suggests many students experience statistics anxiety (e.g., Onwuegbuzie, 2004). Growth mindsets have been shown to influence both statistics course performance and anxiety (Zhang, Kessler, & Braasch, 2021). With approximately ten minutes of class time near the start of the course, instructors can guide students through The Best Possible Term activity, helping them visualize an end of the semester when all has gone well and ended positively, potentially improving motivation and expectations for success and minimizing anxiety and overwhelm associated with statistics courses. This activity has been presented to over 300 online, undergraduate psychology statistics students at a large online university and a regional state university and can be used in any sized seated course as well. On an informal measure at the end of the courses, a small (N = 11) self-selected sample reported largely positive experiences with the Best Possible Term activity, specifically thinking positively about completing the course and other aspects of life and reducing course-related nervousness. Students reported they would consider using the Best Possible Term activity on their own in future courses. The video and transcript shared can be used as-is or adapted as desired.