As some of you might know I took a huge exam this Wednesday that, in return, will help me move on to the bachelors program at my school. So many people I know have told me about how bad it is and how much you have to study and all sorts of thought provoking things for this wonderful anxious mind of mine:-)))))).  The GKT is a state wide exam measuring your grammar, reading and math skill and to top it off ya gotta write a 5 paragraph essay in 50 minuets. Now, I had been preparing for this exam for a while but I got a smack in the face when I was told on late Friday afternoon that I would have to take it this week, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to apply to the program. LONG STORY SHORT, I studied for the exam and took it. Im not going to say I felt like I did good because if I bombed exam I’m going to have to come on here and tell you how I failed LOL. Im human guys.  Anyways, I’m just here to give you some tips that might help you, whether is a HUGE exam like this was, or its just a pop quiz, test anxiety comes in all shapes and forms and there are some ways I tackle it.

1- STUDY. Ha, you’re probably like uhhhh yes, ya dummy we know this. Ok but some people go into things freaking out. If you truly study and prepare, you shouldn’t have anything to be anxious about. Did you study ahead of time? Did you ask for help? Did you study and then go out and party all weekend?? *eye roll* Because how you studied and prepare will help you preform better. Use common sense people.  Something my mom would tell me when I was a kid when I’d freak out about turning in homework and my mom would say, “don’t freak out, you did it. Now go turn it in.”

2- Find your “zone”. From me, this starts the minuet I wake up on the day of the exam. Sometimes, coping with the anxiety takes me all day. Ways I get in the “zone” is music. Music to me is a HUGE comfort, healing like magical thing. Music to me makes me forget about what I’m trying so hard to understand. I prefer classical music on days when its really bad. I also love Hymns and instrumental worship music. Find your zone, whatever that may be.

3- Intentionally pray about it. I know, I’m so cliche. Im not saying pray away your problems ultimately, we are human, we are sinners and most days we are not going to rely on God for things BUT IM TELLING YOU NOW IT HELPS. Think of this, God made everything. God made you, and everything God has created is good. Everything He created is His which means, ultimately He has control of it all AND FYI He knowsssss you struggle with this. So give it to Him. It was His to begin with!! Now the intentional part is the coolest part. Don’t just be like “Hey God make me magically pass this test” thats dumb. Be real with God.Be open, “God Im anxious and terrified of this exam and I need you!” Also, have you ever thought about how to pray specifically for your exam? Try this: “Father I pray that everything I’ve studied for is on the exam. I pray that I’m seamlessly able to recall that information.” He hears you, ya jut gotta talk to Him!

4- Don’t study the day of. Get some rest the night before. DONE STRESS YOURSELF OUT. If your not as prepared as you could have been than get some rest the night before, wake up, eat a yummy breakfast and just try and relax that day. Leaving your mind to process things will actually improve your ability to recall things. Be as positive as possible.

5- REMEMBER TO SMILE and picture yourself coming out of that test with the grade you THINK YOU DESERVE! This takes SO much out of you. This also helps you cope with things if you don’t do as well as you thought you’d do.  Remember  to smile, be positive, remember your human. Picture the steps of the exam in your head. “ok, I’m gonna sit down, she will pass me the test, I have a pencil, I have a sweater incase I get cold, my tummy is full my mind is turned on and I’ve said a prayer.” Your staying positive while talking yourself through the test.

 

YOURE GONNA DO GREAT!!!!!!

XOXO, liv

But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. JAMES 1:6