Test anxiety

[PDJ2009]

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Hello,

I have been having some serious test anxiety and wanted to know if you guys have any advice. Now don't tell me if you know your stuff and are well ready that you shouldn't have any anxiety. I get really bad anxiety during exams and sometimes I can't control it. I have failed a test twice because of this and finally went to a Dr. and he gave me .5mg of Klonopin and told me to take 1/2 of it which is .25mg. I don't like to have to depend on pills, but I guess you have to do whatever it takes! Anyone else out there having the same problem during an exam or even lecture?

Thanks!

 

[hellonurse]

Hello,

I have been having some serious test anxiety and wanted to know if you guys have any advice. Now don't tell me if you know your stuff and are well ready that you shouldn't have any anxiety. I get really bad anxiety during exams and sometimes I can't control it. I have failed a test twice because of this and finally went to a Dr. and he gave me .5mg of Klonopin and told me to take 1/2 of it which is .25mg. I don't like to have to depend on pills, but I guess you have to do whatever it takes! Anyone else out there having the same problem during an exam or even lecture?

Thanks!

I have extreme stress too. First off, do you drink coffee or take in a lot of caffeine? For me, my stress is bad either way..but the coffee/soda pumps it up 10 notches. Also, you really have to realize that you cannot be perfect at everything and one bad exam will not ruin your undergraduate career, I promise. Your health is more important than anything else. Take care of yourself.

 

[PDJ2009]

I am at the moment in my life where the only thing that is really stressing me out is school. I think the biggest reason is because I want to get into a Dental School. I have already went to UCI and received my Bachelors in Psychology which I hope helps out when applying. But just in general my anxiety have been on a level 8 out of 10 when in class. I get good grades and just worry too much about the future..

 

[butter85]

Hey PDJ2009, I totally understand what you're going through. You said it yourself, you worry too much about the future. I know it's important to set goals but when it goes to the extreme of not being able to concentrate on the 'present' moment, that's not healthy. I mean the future will always be in the future, it's important to realize that no amount of worry can control/predict what the outcome will be. I suggest maybe taking some time out of your day to just calm yourself and focus on the present moment, good or bad, and I'm sure you have many great things going for you.

 

[y0ssarian]

Do the best that you can; you can't ask more than that from yourself 🙂

 

[bustedgrill]

I feel for you. School gave me an ulcer.

 

[hl11]

i think i am quite like you in terms of worrying too much about school and my future. However, i am not that anxious about exams but I am extremely anxious about presentations, interviews, and any kind of public speech events. For this reason, I often practice like real hard so I can be more confident about it when it comes. Actually mockups work for me.

I can feel your pain. There were times that I just couldn't sleep well even a week before the presentation. But i guess we just think/worry too much. If someone has a better way of dealing w/ anxiety, let me know too.

 

[PDJ2009]

You guys are all right!! I mean we can all only do so much in the day and we have to make the best of it. I just need to relax and try my best and see what results I get.
Now for the anxiety part of things, I do take .25mg of klonopin on as needed basis. This pill really does help me cope with my anxiety however, it's only a short term fix. I think all my anxiety will subside once I hopefully get in Dental School and graduate.

What do you guys think?

 

[DiscoBalls]

Why would your stress subside once you are in dental school? Its not like the classes get any easier. People always think that once they reach the next step in their lives that thing will magically be easier. Guess what, its not. The only way things get easier is if you win the lottery and don't have to do anything. I recommend upping the anty on the anti-anxiety, and feel lucky that we have pharmaceuticals for this type of thing because life ain't getting any easier

 

[PDJ2009]

There are many reasons why my stress would subside. You don't even know me as a person to make an assumption as to why I would or wouldn't have stress or anxiety. I have many relatives both in the medical and dental field who are actually Clinical professors at USC (Oral laser Surgeon) an Baylor (admissions chair) and they tell me once you get in your stress about Dental school will reduce. I think that you are not understanding my post clearly. Yes, I agree life will not get easier and we have to take it a day at a time and do our best just like I have posted in previous post.

 

[GoBlueJays]

I feel for you. School gave me an ulcer.

I am no Dr., butdoesnt H. pylori cause ulcers, not stress?

Regards
GoBlueJays

 

[armorshell]

I am no Dr., butdoesnt H. pylori cause ulcers, not stress?

Regards
GoBlueJays

Stress is thought to modify the host response to H. pylori, and/or simply make the ulcers worse so you're both half right.

 

[arriba99]

i never used to have bad test anxiety. mabye just a little panicky but usually it'd go away once the test starts. i've taken APs, SATs, GREs (both general and bio subject) and i had been relatively calm during those tests.

BUT for the mcat, it was really bad. i just attempted to take the first real mcat today (as in, i registered and went to the test site to take it) and i had such bad anxiety that i kept blanking. i had to read sentences over and over. it took me 10 minutes just for the first passage, and it wasn't even a hard passage!

so i ended up voiding my score.

what do i do to preven this next time? any tips? i tried breathing slowly. i tried to take small 5-10 second mental breaks. i've taken several practice tests so it's not like that was my first time seeing the mcat. help! i can't afford to have another panic attack on the next mcat.

 

[tinman831]

It most certainly won't resolve once you get into dental school. I'll bet it gets worse. Endless exams, part 1 and 2 of the boards, your licensing exam, not to mention getting the hundreds of procedures required to graduate.

 

[trixie2126]

I get test anxiety too, what helped for me was doing deep breathing exercises to calm me down before big tests like the DAT

 

[BillytheEchidna]

My cure for test anxiety was to study abroad in England. Exams there are held in June and one final is worth 100% of your grade -- fall classes, spring classes and classes that run the whole year are all tested together over the course of a week. It was a terrifying week. When I came back to the U.S., I barely feared exams at all: "Only 30% of my grade? Psshhh!"

If this is not an option for you, another useful medication might be beta-blockers. Otherwise, my best defense for test anxiety is to feel prepared for the exam. If I am unprepared, I will be exponentially more nervous than if I know the material really well.

 

[enfuego]

I would go see a psychiatrist. If they feel your anxiety is bad enough, they'll prescribe you some anxiety medication, like SSRIs. If it's not as bad, they'll likely refer you to a psychologist who can teach you other methods of coping, like CBT and breathing exercises, etc.

 

[Jake8]

My worst test anxiety comes from when I have been neglecting my body. If I eat correctly and exercise it is considerably less (but still there). Also late nights and all nighters send the anxiety through the roof, I must be getting old.

 

[bustedgrill]

I am no Dr., butdoesnt H. pylori cause ulcers, not stress?

Regards
GoBlueJays

I would retort, however, Bas is the man and the pic of the beautiful yellow fin?

I see that you're going to Nova, you should be able to get on the black fins down here, when you have some free time.

 

[La Dentista]

I am at the moment in my life where the only thing that is really stressing me out is school. I think the biggest reason is because I want to get into a Dental School. ...... But just in general my anxiety have been on a level 8 out of 10 when in class. I get good grades and just worry too much about the future..

Holy hell, you posted for me.