focusing/endurance one test day: any tips?

[confused-one]

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Okay, everyone has probably heard/debated the whole marathon training versus MCAT prep debate a million times, but whether it's similar or not, it's a long, grueling day.

What are all of you doing to stay alert and focused for the duration of the test? I'm very high energy person so sitting still that long is quite difficult for me, plus the obvious anxiety of the exam, by three PM I'm wiped out completely.

I've tried toying with different foods (right now I'm loving Cliff's Toffee Peanut Buzz, a protein bar with a smidge of caffeine) and stretching/relaxation exercises during the breaks. It's helped, but I still feel like my tiredness is negatively impacting my BS score. I'm not generally sleepy by 3:00 PM- I'm usually at work by 8:00 AM and going strong until 6:00 or so. So clearly it's something about the test itself that's wearing me out.

Does anyone have any advice or tips on what they're doing to stay calm but awake through the whole day? I'm sleeping pretty regularly- getting to bed early, waking up at the same time each day etc, but I'm still sleepy by the time I've finished the essay portion.

Thanks, good luck everyone!

 

[musiclink213]

For staying calm, I do what I do before any competition or judging event. I jump a few times, shake my arms, roll my neck, stretch. It calms the nerves. Of course, I got a lot of strange looks, but at least I wasn't a nervous jittery mess. Also, every morning, I stretch, but don't stretch if you normally don't. I like it, it relaxes me, and I know how to stretch properly. So if you don't know what you're doing, don't stretch on the MCAT day cause you might tear something and it won't be very comfortable.

As for staying awake, I always feel more awake after I stretch or exercise. So I actually stretch during the breaks and that usually wakes me up. Again, more strange looks, but whatever. I got my 11 in BS so naninani poo poo. 🙂

Also, before each passage, take a 5 second break. It gives your brain time to recover and get rid of the last passage. There are also several stretches you can do in your seat when your butt starts going numb. I'm not a fan of caffeine, so I avoid it, but if it works for you than do that.

The test is a very tiring test. It's supposed to be. It's mentally exhausting. Which is why i think it's good to do the passage, and then forget it. That way. all the extra information isn't floating around in your brain.

 

[Mr. Tee]

My ipod is a boon.

 

[confused-one]

Thanks guys!

What kind of music are you listening to on the breaks? I'll have to sort that, I've been thinking about it but haven't had any during the practice tests. I have one more test Saturday, I guess I'll try something peppy but fun?

The stretching makes a difference for me too- I'm training for a marathon and I have had some pretty serious past injuries, if I didn't stretch in the morning I'd be in pain! I feel like it helps keep the blood flowing too, after sitting in those chairs for hours.

I'm a caffeine fan, I've cut back a wee bit, but I still use it for the test day. I suppose a diet coke on the break doesn't hurt much, although I had a kaplan instructor go nuts on me for drinking it!!

Re: The strange looks- we're not taking the MCATs to make friends, right? I know a lot of kids think it's weird that I run on the lunch break, like I'm some kind of exercise nut or something, but it's honestly the best thing for me. It's like a reset button, I come back refreshed. It's just that I'm no longer refreshed when the essays are over... damn essays.

 

[musiclink213]

Thanks guys!

What kind of music are you listening to on the breaks? I'll have to sort that, I've been thinking about it but haven't had any during the practice tests. I have one more test Saturday, I guess I'll try something peppy but fun?
........

Re: The strange looks- we're not taking the MCATs to make friends, right? I know a lot of kids think it's weird that I run on the lunch break, like I'm some kind of exercise nut or something, but it's honestly the best thing for me. It's like a reset button, I come back refreshed. It's just that I'm no longer refreshed when the essays are over... damn essays.

Well then what about during the 10 minute break? You can jog in place while you're waiting on the bathroom line. I staked out a corner in the room (I was in one of those hotel banquet places) and did some stretching.

I use my ipod too, listen to whatever you like. I just turn my ipod onto shuffle and then whatever comes up. I actually use my ipod during my skating warmups, so last time, I just listened to that. The order of my music starts off slower (think slow laps around the ice to get warm) and then faster. So by the time the test starts, I'm set to go. This time around though, I might just let it play. Of course, if you listen to music during lunch, make sure the last song isn't too catchy because then you'll be writing the essays and then not realize you actually just started writing the lyrics to the song that is stuck in your head (guilty 😳 )

 

[PBandJ]

Well then what about during the 10 minute break? You can jog in place while you're waiting on the bathroom line. I staked out a corner in the room (I was in one of those hotel banquet places) and did some stretching.

I use my ipod too, listen to whatever you like. I just turn my ipod onto shuffle and then whatever comes up. I actually use my ipod during my skating warmups, so last time, I just listened to that. The order of my music starts off slower (think slow laps around the ice to get warm) and then faster. So by the time the test starts, I'm set to go. This time around though, I might just let it play. Of course, if you listen to music during lunch, make sure the last song isn't too catchy because then you'll be writing the essays and then not realize you actually just started writing the lyrics to the song that is stuck in your head (guilty 😳 )

are you a figure skater??

 

[musiclink213]

are you a figure skater??

Yes. Yes I am. It's a lot of fun.

 

[PBandJ]

Yes. Yes I am. It's a lot of fun.

awesome, me too! 🙂

 

[musiclink213]

awesome, me too! 🙂

Nice to meet a fellow pre-med skater. At my rink, I skate with a lot of older adults, usually they're between 40-70, so I'm by far the youngest. But I skate the empty public sessions so it's a lot cheaper than freestyle. Anyway, all the people I skate with all know I want to go to med school. They also all know I didn't get in this year. They're so cute about it though, they keep giving me pointers and things to remember for the test. Every time I do a jump, my coach likes to make me tell her about distance and velocity and how to calculate it She says she's getting me ready for the MCAT, although she has no idea if what I tell her is right or not.

Other times, if I'm doing a spin, another skater comes up to me and says "Remember, it's centripital force that's letting you spin". They're all pulling for me to do well this time. Kinda nice to have so much support, but if I don't do well, it's almost like I'm letting even more people down. I know that's not really true, but I've put my family through so much stress with this whole thing, that I'd feel horrible for them if I don't get in again.

But make sure when you apply (if you haven't already) mention that you skate, especially if you compete or test. At all the schools I spoke with, they were very impressed with it. Shows you're diverse, dedicated, not afraid of failure, work hard, all that good stuff. Def. use it to your advantage. This goes for the OP too, because you said you're running a marathon. That's something that a few people do, and you should definitly mention it in your PS or application.

 

[PBandJ]

Nice to meet a fellow pre-med skater. At my rink, I skate with a lot of older adults, usually they're between 40-70, so I'm by far the youngest. But I skate the empty public sessions so it's a lot cheaper than freestyle. Anyway, all the people I skate with all know I want to go to med school. They also all know I didn't get in this year. They're so cute about it though, they keep giving me pointers and things to remember for the test. Every time I do a jump, my coach likes to make me tell her about distance and velocity and how to calculate it She says she's getting me ready for the MCAT, although she has no idea if what I tell her is right or not.

Other times, if I'm doing a spin, another skater comes up to me and says "Remember, it's centripital force that's letting you spin". They're all pulling for me to do well this time. Kinda nice to have so much support, but if I don't do well, it's almost like I'm letting even more people down. I know that's not really true, but I've put my family through so much stress with this whole thing, that I'd feel horrible for them if I don't get in again.

But make sure when you apply (if you haven't already) mention that you skate, especially if you compete or test. At all the schools I spoke with, they were very impressed with it. Shows you're diverse, dedicated, not afraid of failure, work hard, all that good stuff. Def. use it to your advantage. This goes for the OP too, because you said you're running a marathon. That's something that a few people do, and you should definitly mention it in your PS or application.

awesome!! i skate at my university (well, i graduated last may, so technically i'm an alumni skater now). i don't have a coach now and am not competing, but i did all throughout college. i love it. i did it when i was younger and i had to quit b/c it was so expensive. i just missed it so much. and i will definitely mention it in my app.

sorry to hear that things didn't work out for you this year. best of luck for you this time around. i'm sure you will do great things! 🙂

 

[Anastasis]

I load my mp3 player up with Jack Johnson (his music makes me mellow and helps me relax). I also stretch between breaks.

I'm also planning on a taking a shower that morning (I usually take showers at night) just to help myself wake up faster) - I don't know if that's a problem for you or not.

 

[snowkhat]

Ipod + Nintendo DS for breaks + Starbucks Grande Mocha + use the potty breaks + bannanas & granola bars + PB & J sandwich + lucky pencils = Good MCAT

 

[sweetstuff25]

Ipod + Nintendo DS for breaks + Starbucks Grande Mocha + use the potty breaks + bannanas & granola bars + PB & J sandwich + lucky pencils = Good MCAT

lol nintendo ds.