Stay focused. Realizing that you can take the time you have, allocating a schedule, in this case of panic, I suggest. Why? Schedule promotes structure, stability in times of anxiety. Focus on taking the panic "energy" and transforming into "intensive" studying.
Neighbor, before beginning to start building the house, we need a plan, and layout of what materials we have and will need to get. Once we have checked ourself that the material and a course of schedule that is beneficial to you is created, we can now start putting the bricks together.
I cannot stress how important it is that in this process to remain calm. First, we can start by telling ourself that the time is constant. During break at work, maybe bring some flashcards you might have made last night and review some of the notes that you made. Create pictures and mnemonics for yourself to help you remember concepts.
Lay bricks on one at a time. For example, I am weak or not sure about work-kinetic energy theorem. I need to review that. OH no! What about the oxygen containing compounds, I don't know that either!! Tell your mind that you realize you are weak in an area or areas (speaking of myself), but that I need to first focus on one concept before I can focus on the other.
Wow, what just happened. Well, the student who was in panic, just took charge and was firm and realized his/her strengths, but also told themself that if I am going to improve panicing isn't going to help. Now your mind knows that you have a plan, so the mind is saying, well, things may be a mess (in my case, as I am studying for this exam, too) but at least I know that I have a plan and that I am going to master a concept one at a time.
Imagine 45 rubber ball being frantically thrown to your side of room. You have to put them into the basket bin before the trash is going to be taken up at a certain constant time. You have to choose what the plan is. You can aimlessly try to grab all into your arms and put them in. Impossible, right?
Or you can act quickly, and hold one ball, walk over to the trash and throw it in. You repeat the process. When you are holding ball 24 notice the time, 34 notice the time. When the clock stops and the trash man comes to take it, you know you have done your best. You were faithful to the plan.
There may be some balls still on the floor, but there was not enough time. You did your best. Basically, stay calm, master a concept at a time, (you can do this by not comparing the one concept to all the other concepts that are left.
Remember, one brick at a time. If you are not happy, by the last day to reschedule an MCAT exam (April 5 for April 12 test date) count the ball already but in. If you have put in many, take the test, if not push back date and continue with plan. I hope this has helped.
Best regards, (the bricks can be found on MCAT interpretive manual 2005, on
www.aamc.corg
