Have you ever sat down to take a test or perform in some way, knowing that you have practiced at home and know what you are doing, then suddenly went blank and felt like you are outside of your own body or mind watching yourself fail? I’ve struggled with this during my MCAT studies and the actual exam and while knowing the importance of this exam for my career, it is terrifying to experience.
Test anxiety is a type of performance anxiety that can affect students. It’s characterized by feelings of worry, dread, fear of failure, and catastrophizing, that occur before or during test situations. This type of anxiety is likely more common than you think, but less advertised by test takers.
Test anxiety can manifest in several ways, including physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Physical symptoms might include a racing heart, a dry mouth, and a tight chest. Emotional symptoms might include feelings of fear, helplessness, and disappointment. Cognitive symptoms might include negative thoughts, concentration problems, and blanking out during the test.
Several strategies can help manage and reduce test anxiety. These include proper study and preparation, relaxation techniques, positive affirmations, and seeking help from a counselor or therapist if needed. It’s important to remember that everyone experiences some level of anxiety, and it’s a natural response to stressful situations. However, if anxiety is interfering with your ability to perform, it can be beneficial to seek help.
There is a stigma surrounding testing anxiety or anxiety about your career in general, which I think is completely normal. Everyone has fears of failure and doubts themselves. However, we all need to remember that we will succeed, we will get the MCAT score we need and we will get that white coat.
Remember, success can look like a lot of failures in a row, which is a sign of progress. Give yourself credit for how far you’ve come, give yourself grace to improve, and remember that even making it this far is tough – which means we are tough!
Stay sane!
XO Melmo
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