This paper presents findings from a research project that examined Vocational Education and Training (VET) students' thinking profiles during the execution of an electronic spreadsheet activity. The empirical qualitative study was centered in a information processing theory and mediating processes paradigm that utilised stimulated recall interviews. The aim was to ascertain any links between metacognition, strategy and thoughts about the affective area of anxiety. The findings revealed that, at least in this study, metacognition plays a critical role in the selection, or failure to select, appropriate strategies. The males used control-type metacognition to look for strategies to solve problems whereas females were preponderantly of the self-awareness metacognition. As the result, males performed better than females did, overall. However, both males and females reported thoughts about experiencing computer anxiety. Anxiety had significant effects on their metacognition and strategies. This study offers further insights to the literature about these connections.