Nervous for Your Test? Some Tips to Keep Your Cool
Many students report feeling jittery before the various admissions-related exams including the TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE, and SAT. Recognizing that excessive nervousness can be detrimental to test taking, some seek ways to keep their cool. Peruse these tips to keep up your confidence and stay relaxed for that important test day.
1. Practice, practice, practice. The more you study and practice, the more confident you will feel about your test.
2. Do something fun! After you have studied, reward yourself by doing something fun. For example, watch a show that makes you laugh. There is no point in worrying about how you will do, so get those endorphins pumping by taking joy in every day.
3. Breathe… The simple act of breathing slowly and deeply will clear your mind of useless thoughts like “What if I don’t do well?” or “I can’t remember what ‘pulchritude’ means! I know it’s going to be on this test!” Inhale counting slowly from 1 to 3 and exhale counting slowly from 4 to 6.
4. Remember that it is natural to feel a little nervous. The feeling of being awake and ready will actually help you to perform to your capacity.
5. Tell yourself that you CAN! You’ve studied and practiced hard, right? Then there is nothing stopping you from doing well. Be confident in yourself. YOU CAN DO IT!