Examine your syllabi. It is absolutely essential to know what will be expected of you throughout the entire course of the semester. By carefully examining your syllabi and learning which assignments will be due on certain days, you can eliminate any guesswork regarding due dates. Make a list of these due dates, in order, on a sheet of notebook paper and in your day planner or any other electronic-scheduling software you may have.
Divide up your workload into manageable units. One of the easiest ways to remove anxiety if you have one or even multiple classes is to simply break up each course into smaller units. For instance, if you are taking a course that lasts 16 weeks and the book has 16 chapters, read and study one chapter per week. If you have three courses like this you may need to read one chapter or more for each class. Make a schedule and stick to it.
Take notes on everything that you read. Most online courses are open-book courses. This means you can generally use your textbook when taking exams. Professors deliberately set up their courses this way because they know they cannot keep you from doing so. One way that professors minimize the student's ability to look up answers is to create a timed exam. You can overcome this obstacle by actively taking notes on each chapter. Write down key names, words, ideas and concepts and make an indexed outline of each chapter. Your outline should include chapter subheadings and page numbers so that you can easily look up any piece of information.
Reread your notes and skim the chapters before taking exams. By refreshing the material in your mind before any exams or quizzes, you will be taking control of the material and preparing your mind to return to it during the examination.
Relax and visualize. At least once before your exam and preferably on the day of the exam or quiz, take a few minutes to get quiet and visualize yourself doing well on the test. Making a list of affirmations to say during your visualization will increase your confidence as well. Getting a good night of rest and eating a light meal just before the exam can also have positive physiological effects to reduce anxiety.
Find a quiet place to complete your coursework. No matter how much time you spend planning your course of study, it will prove fruitless unless you have a "space" that you call your own for completing assignments and exams. While it may be nice to stay at home and take an exam or quiz, this is not always optimal for all students. A good practice is to find a spot at the library where you can take your laptop and "set up shop." Spread out your books and notes in an organized fashion and begin completing your exam once you are online and ready to go. Coffee shops and cafes with Wifi access also make good venues for taking exams. Having a digital media player and headphones with some soothing background noise can also provide you with a relaxed test-taking experience.