As an athletic training student, there’s nothing more daunting than finally sitting in front of the BOC exam and feeling the creeping anxiety that can come with it. Test anxiety is a common experience, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. However, there are steps you can take to help ease the mental strain and boost your confidence going into the exam.
Make Time to Study
One of the biggest contributors to test anxiety is a lack of preparation. You can combat this by studying effectively and consistently leading up to the test. Take the time to create a study schedule and stick to it. This will not only help you feel more prepared but also give you a sense of control over the situation.
Boost Your Confidence
Another mental tool to help combat fear is to boost your confidence by reminding yourself of past successes. Take a moment to reflect on a time when you aced a test or project that you put a lot of effort into. You can also remind yourself that you are putting in the same amount of effort into preparing for this test, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t expect to succeed.
Surround Yourself with the Right People
Surrounding yourself with encouraging people can also help with the mental strain of test anxiety. Find a study group or study with friends who have a positive attitude towards the exam. Avoid spending time with others who are anxious or cynical, as their attitudes can be contagious and add to your own anxiety.
Reward Your Work
It’s also important to reward yourself for your hard work. A test can be physically and mentally tiring, even without anxiety. Plan an activity to do after the test, regardless of the outcome. This can be as simple as going out for ice cream or treating yourself to a movie. Having something to look forward to can help you stay motivated and focused.
Visualize Your Success
When you’re taking the test, if you start to feel anxious, take a moment to remind yourself that you know the material. Visualize yourself successfully completing the test and take a few deep, relaxing breaths. Then, return to the test with confidence, knowing that you are capable of succeeding.
Finally, developing a healthy mental approach to test taking can also benefit other areas of your life. Test anxiety can be damaging to your mental health and even contribute to depression. It’s important to address the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.
BOC exam test anxiety is a common experience for athletic training students, but there are steps you can take to ease the mental strain and boost your confidence. Effective preparation, surrounding yourself with encouraging people, rewarding yourself, and maintaining a positive attitude can all help combat fear and anxiety when it comes to taking exams. By developing a healthy mental approach to test taking, you can not only succeed in school but also in life.