I've been reading the forum for months now to prepare myself for the NCLEX which I took last month. I had 3 months to review. I had Kaplan and the 35 page study guide that has been floating around. I was diligent in studying. I aloted most of my time reviewing (I would say about 3-4 hours a day)
Everyone around me was confident I would do well. I was doing great in nursing school. There are days I would catch myself freaking out with the thought that my test date was coming.
The day before the exam, I told myself I wouldnt read a single nursing question. But I did because I couldnt stop thinking about some nursing topics. I slept early that night but when I woke up the morning of the exam, I was nervous. I dont recall myself ever being anxious about taking exams, but that wasnt the case. I had breakfast that morning and made sure I was 30 mins early at the test taking center hoping it would calm my nerves. I sat there and that was it....I was anxious to begin with. I could feel my heart pounding to the point of not being able to concentrate. I stared at the questions for a very long time. I think I knew the answers, but I was nervous to think straight. My computer stopped at 200 and I knew when I stepped out of the room that I had failed.
I did the PVT as soon as I left the room and it went straight the the CC section.
Im preparing myself to take the exam again. Any tips? I think I had studied well, i knew my problem was my confidence. What Id like to know is if 2 review materials is enough. Also, what do I do to psych myself up? I think content wise I was ready, but mentally I was not.
