Panic: The Enemy of Effective Test-Preparedness
Your midterms are fast approaching and you realize you’ve never had to take a test like this one before. How to study for it? How to prepare for it? Well, some easy steps to help are just common sense and remembering to allow yourself enough time to get ready. First, however, don’t panic!
People have been taking midterms and high school tests for generations and it hasn’t caused wide spread mayhem yet. So, you know midterms or nursing entrance exams are coming and you probably have a good idea what kinds of questions are going to be asked on the test. So, right there you know what to concentrate on. Now, set aside enough time to study; at least one additional hour a day for as long as you feel you need for a start. If you feel you need more, or need to have longer study sessions, but fewer than once a day, do whatever feels right for you. It may not always be the most comfortable choice, but you’ll know if it was the right choice. Ok, you’ve got your study times set, now, where are you going to be during those times?
Most people don’t like interruptions; however, for some people, not having a ‘background buzz’ causes their minds to wander. Coffee shops, public areas, your room with the radio turned down low, and the park are all places you might be comfortable to study. They’re not too isolated, you usually won’t be interrupted, and they have just enough background noise so your mind doesn’t wander. Where ever you feel most comfortable studying is the best place to do it. What are the best places to study?
If you need to do research, the library is a great place to start; your notes are another. The internet might also be a good resource, but you have to be careful; not every site is verified and it’s easy to get sidetracked. Ordinary, paper encyclopedias are also useful. Obviously, Gray’s Anatomy (the textbook, not the TV show), will be more helpful to a medical student than a business student. Gather only what you need; loading up on every thing you might think would contain a reference will just give you that many books to wade through. Pick and choose. Study one aspect of the material at a time. Be familiar with it; let key words or terms spark your memory when you read them.
Don’t cram; it just hurts your brain. Pace yourself and you’ll do better. Relax before a midterm, or any test, and your lower level of anxiety will lessen the likelihood of you freezing up and drawing a blank. If that does happen, again, don’t panic! Just skip that question and come back to it when you’re ready. Now, take a deep breathe and relax, taking a test isn’t the end of the world; tomorrow is just around the corner.
Here are some posts on Test Anxiety
Have a Plan B
How to Overcome Test Anxiety
Breathing exercises for Test Anxiety
