No matter what you want to do to advance your career, you must prove yourself to others first. Prior experience and skill set is good but…they want proof. The proof is your degree or certification/license and even hearsay at times. If you’re trying to get into a school or special program, most of the time it will be based on an exam-either pass/fail or a preferred score.

That exam is strictly based on your ability to do just that, take an exam. You must have a great deal of background knowledge on the information tested but the most important thing is knowing the test (question number, question types, time per question) and knowing good test taking strategies.

Some people generally do well on exams because of their test taking ability. Other’s can explain the entire concept in a conversation but freeze up on exams due to test taking anxiety. People express their understanding differently. So, a test score does not mean you’re incompetent or an absolute genius. However, something is needed to gage whether or not you can move on to that next grade or enter into that strenuous academic program based on basic understanding or proficiencies.

Testing has become a way of life, so it brings me to say, “This is just another test” whenever I have one coming up.

If you think of middle school right….you probably had that one class that was hard for you or you failed a couple of exams. Did you ever think you weren’t going to make it to high school. Um, no. You knew that you would have to buckle down and do really well on the final. OR even if you didn’t pass, they had summer school, remedial classes or you repeated the grade. My point is you knew you were still going to go on the high school.

Now that we’re a little older and there are high costs associated with our education and risks involved, we start to lose it. But there is ALWAYS a way. There has been someone in your same circumstance that has done it, it’s just not the most common story that’s told. It can be done and if you don’t know how ask someone more experienced for help. Well, I’d say a few people (at least 3) so that you can have options with which approach you would like to take.

As for me…I used to have so much testing anxiety it’s ridiculous: palpitations, sweating, insomnia, trembling, hyperventilation, headaches, the works.

During my 1^st year of medical school I realized I couldn’t keep feeling that way before each exam. Yes, there is a lot riding on these exams and the stakes are high. Where you are a year from now depends on a score, it’s a lot to take into account.

However, thinking of of stressors as you study or even during the exam will do you no good. Those thoughts will arise so have a way of coping with them and addressing them when you need to.

Don’t answer it bruh.

After that, realize that this is just another test you have to take to get to the next level in your career. There will always be another test you will have to pass so don’t allow one test change your end goal. Change your path, but not your destination.

Confront your deficits. Focus on strengthening your weaknesses. Get the tutor. Finish the prep program. Invest your time and energy into yourself. Give it your all, as if success is your only option and you will be successful.

-Your friend with anxiety too, Future Dr. Jones ❤