Test day ritual?

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2015

Every test day I would buy a pack of gum and 1 regular pack of starburst. If I opened the pack of starburst and it was red or pink, then I was going to do well on the test. I handed out the gum to anyone who was needed it before the test started.

NiftyGirl2014 · Jun 14, 2015

I always stop on the way and buy a small chocolate shake & listen to a specific playlist on my 30 minute drive.

And I've sat at the same computer since I've started nursing school for every exam.

On the rare occasion someone takes my seat, I get all flustered.

augurey · Jun 15, 2015

I would wear my "lucky" necklace (given to me the day my daughter was born) and my "lucky" socks (shamrock socks that I wore when I passed my TEAS).

On the drive to school I'd listen to songs that motivate me / make me feel positive/excited/etc.

I would always get to class about 35 minutes early. Instead of cramming, I'd just sit there and browse the internet, zone out, try to relax, etc.

The moments leading up to the test being handed out, I'd take deep breaths. I've always had a problem with test anxiety, so I'd go over in my head the way I'm going to feel when I get that first question that throws me. I feel that panic instantly, and I remind myself to keep calm and keep going (and to go back to it if I can / need to). Take a few more deep breaths before the exam, and just continue a steady breathing pattern throughout.

Pistachio830 · Jun 15, 2015

I usually get up around 4-5AM and get ready wearing comfortable clothing. For almost every test I wore a hoody and leggings and then head to the starbucks located right by my school. I would get there by 6AM and sure enough I noticed other students going there were 2nd, 3rd and 4th semester students as well :) Our tests were on computers so I made sure to come in early, and log into my account. Some people would forget there password/username and lose time on the test because of it.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 15, 2015

One other thing I forgot, my boyfriend bought me these beautiful diamond earrings for Valentine's Day. From day one he has for some reason just calmed me. He has been my rock. So I put those earrings in before I leave and right before my test I reach up and touch them. It calms me.

ShaeMarie · Jun 15, 2015

I always looked a mess on test day. No effort made to even look presentable. Lol. My hair was up in a ratty bun or just brushed down & unsecured and, no matter how hot it was outside, I always wore a comfy Aero jogging suit.

So, when I took NCLEX, I had to mess my hair up and wipe my carefully filled in brows off. I had on my jogging suit too, but I left the hoodie in the car because I was unsure if I'd be allowed to wear it into the testing room. I made sure I looked like my crazed/ragged test day self.

aeris99 · Jun 15, 2015

I have a specific mechanical pencil I use. Always wear something comfy and flip flops or slip-ons that I can kick off. I sit cross legged in the chair.

I get to class early to drop my stuff and then go out in the hallway with headphones on. I dance in the hallway to my favorite music until I see the professor coming in.

I think, for me, the most helpful thing is to dodge the negativity/anxiety of my classmates, both before and after testing. I don't stick around to compare grades. It just makes

me more worried that I did badly.

s2bLuluRN · Jun 16, 2015

When I do homework, quizzes, or before a test I always listen to Christmas music. Only my husband knows this because I am so embarrassed by it, but something about the music calms my nerves and helps me focus. I also wear sweat pants and a hoodie and make sure I have a pen that I love.

cocoa_puff · Jun 16, 2015

I eat a broccoli and cheese omlet with orange juice for breakfast and I wear my lucky sweat pants :) I also make sure my pencils are sharpened and I have my calculator. Never fails!

smf0903 · Jun 17, 2015

I always wore my florescent colored smiley-faced socks, and cranked up the tunes in the car on my drive in :yes: :singing:

yoshi2560 · Jun 17, 2015

I dress up! Look good, feel good, do well. At least that's the hope!

WellThatsOod · Jun 21, 2015

I have a specific playlist I listen to on the drive. It includes Thunderstruck, Can't Touch This, and some other songs that pump me up. Last semester my friends and I started dancing to Shake It Off in the hallway before a test. The whole class was out there with us the day of the final.