Test Anxiety

[manns1963]

I am a first year nursing student:yeah:, and boy did I work hard to get here:cool:. The though of me being in nursing school always make me feel good, but I have a major problem.:redlight: I've always had problems with test anxiety, during undergrad it was never as bad as it is now and I am starting to worry. I have already had one quiz and two test since I've been in nursing school and I've fail all three. I study every night, I do reviews and I even answer questions whenever we are in class. Not to toot my own horn but I know my stuff:up:. Every time its time for me to take the exam or quiz I freak out:smackingf. It never fails as I am walking towards the classroom door I can start to feel it build, my heart starts to palpate, my hands get clammy, and soon as the test begin my mind goes blank and I begin to sweat. I've tried everything to get this too stop but I am aware it won't stop until I stop it. The problem is I can't stop it because I don't know how. I've worked so hard to get here, and all I've ever wanted to be is a nurse but if this test anxiety continues I am going to mess up my chances of for fulling my dream. It makes me so sad to know I've come this far just to fail, every time I've taken a test or a quiz and went on blackboard on my schools website to check my score I always feel worthless because I've failed. Its hard for me to feel confident in myself because this has happen to me:cry:. Please is there anyone that can help me get over this. Does anyone have any tips:idea:. I would greatly appreciate it if you did.

[santina44]

I suggest you talk to a counselor or therapist who can suggest relaxation techniques. Also, what if you had a buddy set up a practice test for you in exam-like conditions with a time limit, grade, etc. Maybe this could help you get used to the testing environment.

Practicing NCLEX questions is a wonderful way of warming the brain up for the tests. I do these so I won't be shocked by the type of questions when I see the exam. I think it's one of the best techniques I have learned because when I go into a test knowing what to expect, I am able to perform better.

I have had test anxiety since middle school and I have done all of the above things I just mentioned. I can say my test anxiety is 99% gone now and I only experience normal, typical test jitters that go away once I start answering questions.