Managing your nerves?

[RHeff]

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I know we've talked about stress here and ways to unwind, and I suspect there may be some overlap, but I wanted to throw this out there and see what you all thought.

I took a math test today that has me on edge. I left the room feeling that I did OK -- but then in the back of my mind, I worry, "Does that mean it's going to be an F when I get it back?" I have gotten like this with all of the tests I'm taking as a postbacc. It doesn't matter what course it is. My school posts course grades online in real-time and I check my grades constantly. I know I need to do well with this postbacc work, but the problem is, I might have put so much pressure on it that I look at every test and think, "If this doesn't go well, you can give up on med school." As you can imagine, that makes taking a test really, really difficult.

If you'd like to share your similar stories, feel free to jump in. But the dialogue I really wanted to open up is... what ways have you successfully managed your nerves as we move through this process?

 

[Goro]

Suggest contacting your school's counseling center. They're there to help you. Really.

I know we've talked about stress here and ways to unwind, and I suspect there may be some overlap, but I wanted to throw this out there and see what you all thought.

I took a math test today that has me on edge. I left the room feeling that I did OK -- but then in the back of my mind, I worry, "Does that mean it's going to be an F when I get it back?" I have gotten like this with all of the tests I'm taking as a postbacc. It doesn't matter what course it is. My school posts course grades online in real-time and I check my grades constantly. I know I need to do well with this postbacc work, but the problem is, I might have put so much pressure on it that I look at every test and think, "If this doesn't go well, you can give up on med school." As you can imagine, that makes taking a test really, really difficult.

If you'd like to share your similar stories, feel free to jump in. But the dialogue I really wanted to open up is... what ways have you successfully managed your nerves as we move through this process?

 

[theseeker4]

Suggest contacting your school's counseling center. They're there to help you. Really.

Agree with this. You need to get this under control before med school, or you WILL burn out. Good luck!

 

[rguil15]

I used to do this as well, the more sucess I had the less I worried after exams and trusted my abilities. Beer and breathing also help.

 

[pdxhopeful]

What you're feeling is perfectly natural - this IS high stakes - but the other posters are right that it's something to work on and counseling might not go amiss.

Some things I've found helpful are building the discipline to study consistently (rather than slacking off a bit, getting scared, then bingeing), and self care. You need a good diet, SLEEP, and regular exercise of whatever sort gets you out of your head for half an hour to an hour.