dearlonda

Dear Londa,

 I’ve suffered from test anxiety for as long as I can remember. My mind goes crazy, then blank. I sweat and panic to the point of exhaustion. Now I’m starting a new job and have to take a test. My friend says I should go to the doctor for an anti-anxiety drug to take before the test. I think that’s stupid because I don’t want to get hooked on the stuff. Do you have another idea?– Just saying NO  

Test anxiety really sucks. Really, really sucks. But it can definitely be controlled without drugs (you‘re wise to avoid associating those drugs with your ability to perform under pressure and thereby risking dependency).  

Test anxiety is just that. Anxiety. We become so anxious worrying about the outcome of some huge event or appointment that we lose sight of our abilities. So many times I’ve worried about some upcoming Calculus or Biology test so much that it attacked my common sense and even crashed my dreams (which quickly became nightmares). I’d lose precious studying time picturing my nervous self exploding from worry, turning to dust under the pressure.  

Why do we give our hearts and minds over to such negativity? Can’t it be just as easy to focus on what we really want, what we truly deserve, who we really are? If you’ve already gotten the job, then I know that you’ve already accomplished something huge. How did you know that you could get hired? Did you feel it? Did you picture it? Did you imagine it in detail?  

If you think back, you probably did these things and then some. Before you even begin each study session, picture yourself rattling off correct answers to your superiors. Hear the questions, and say your answers along with the imaginary you. Become the imaginary you.  

Feel that confidence that comes from studying with pride, learning something new, and using it to help at your job. Know who you are and how special you are. Feel what it really means to be you, the newly employed you. Repeat this during every study session, between every study session, and after every study session. Then go in there and make it happen!

Londa

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