I'm having my anxieties increase as exam day looms closer and closer. Anyone have tips on how to get over self doubt leading up to the big day? Other than binge-watching Parks and Rec lol
I'm having my anxieties increase as exam day looms closer and closer. Anyone have tips on how to get over self doubt leading up to the big day? Other than binge-watching Parks and Rec lol
Comments (10)
The first thing you need to tell yourself when it comes to the day itself is that nobody is perfect. So don’t worry about getting questions wrong - everybody does. You will see things you have never seen before, but this is okay. It's impossible to prepare for everything and the NBME® will add some new topics into the mix. Everyone's in the same boat here!
Finally, on test day, it's important to take care of yourself! Don’t forget to eat and sleep, and don’t do last-minute studying. Trust your training and have confidence in yourself and your knowledge. We've also written about this subject on our blog, feel free to check it out!
- Brandon
I think nervousness is very normal! It's a big exam after all, but don't forget that all you've been working for has been for this exam. You've done everything you can- you've studied, taken practice exams, and practically breathed information all the days leading up to it. And whatever you don't know or haven't quite seen before, you can often think through based on everything else you do know! I was always told that I'd never feel quite ready, but there comes a point where you hit a plateau and that's when you take the exam. Believe in the process, and know you're built for this! Good luck! :)
Exercise! Leading up to the exam, being mentally well is way more important than cramming in a few new facts. I loved running during dedicated, and the week before I ramped up my mileage. The day before my exam, I went on a long run so I could be mentally clear and have a good nights sleep before the big day.
-Samuel
I would ditto Brandon's advice. Trust yourself! Also, take lots of practice exams so that you have a feel of what exam day will be like. Don't go on reddit and see what everyone is scoring there. The people who post their scores on reddit usually score higher than the average person. you will do awesome! Also, realize that more things matter than just your score. You have trained hard to be a physician, and your other skills, your soft skills, will go a long way to getting you into the residency and programs you want. Best of luck!
I very recently took both step 1 and comlex level 1, so I got to experience the day before anxiety twice! That being said, I managed to deal with it quite well especially after having done it once. I recommend waking up extremely early in the morning the day BEFORE, workout at some point, review HY formulas and such, then you will surely be able to fall asleep plenty early for a good night's rest on test day. Lastly, pack easy-to-eat snacks for test day. I would recommend eating one on every break to spread out food consumption to prevent an insulin spike and then crash. Also, if you normally drink coffee, drink coffee that morning in moderation, but early enough for you to have time to go use the restroom before the exam. Best of luck!
-Alec (AMBOSSador)
The best thing to do the day/night before an exam is to relax!! All the hard work including studying, flash cards and practice questions have been completed! Now comes the fun part...being able to apply it to questions and concepts. I try not to nap during the days leading up to an exam and make sure I have a decent routine including bed time, dinner, breakfast etc. I also try to avoid looking over any material right before the exam because that can lead to biases and ultimately leading you to pick an incorrect answer choice simply because you saw that concept very recently. In summary, relax, have confidence, and know that you have done everything you can to perform!
-Jason
I find planning my schedule out in advance (starting with the weeks leading up to the exam) in an excel spreadsheet to be super helpful. You can format it so that you know what you've covered and what you still need to cover. In the end, I've come to realize you never will know everything and have to be okay with that fact - essentially, stay out of your own head, as hard as it is and trust that you've done all you can.
Self-doubt is a huge issue in medicine... try to remember that so many of your peers feel the same way (even if it doesn't look like it!). Remember that you are here for a reason and that you deserve to be here. Also, one bad exam score doesn't reflect the type of doctor you will be. Good luck!!
Since M2 started, I've doubted myself nonstop. It's a constant struggle I'm trying to remedy. I went from being confident and avoiding comparison at all costs to always comparing my capabilities to others and doubting myself. I'm closer to step 1 now, and I'm working hard on improving the way I think. I'm doing things differently now; I try to relax more and force myself not to feel guilty about it. I set up these personal reminders to reinforce the idea that it's okay to make mistakes and that a "perfect" medical student doesn't exist.
So far, it's been helping. I feel less stressed and uncertain. I have to work on this daily and sometimes multiple times a day. It's not easy, but it's worth it. I'd suggest you try to find things that make you a little more at ease and self-assured. Once you have that figured out, turn it into a routine. It's like "self-care Sunday" reimagined and tailored to you.
Think about how hard you've studied! You haven't been lazy, you've been putting in a lot of work. Worrying your mind about things that haven't happened and don't exist is no way to live!
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