Licensing Exam Jitters: 4 Strategies to Pass
You are almost there.
You did it. You finished the degree, developed a somewhat concerning caffeine tolerance from late-night studying and graduate school. Now you are so close to the finish line but you feel drained.
You finished the degree, developed a somewhat concerning caffeine tolerance from late-night studying and graduate school. Now you are so close to the finish line but you feel drained.
Now, you’re trying to muster up the energy and motivation to pass this exam.
Strategy 1: Create an Effective Study Schedule
Develop firm boundaries of when and how you study. You may be studying for hours on end but if you're not studying effectively you may be counterproductive and contribute to burnout. You can either “work hard or work smart”. The efficiency of how you study is more important than how long you study. Make sure you are learning the material you are reviewing rather than cycling through it. Research has demonstrated that some people respond better to deadlines, create mini-goals or deadlines to increase motivation if you are one of them. Another strategy is to create time intervals in which you need to be productive to make sure you're being as efficient as possible.
Strategy 2: Stress Management or Anxiety Tips
The most effective way to be successful on actual exam day is to make sure emotionally and mentally you are in a strong resilient mindset. Therapy is an opportunity to learn unique coping strategies that will help you manage stress and anxiety during the exam and while preparing for it. Every time you have an emotional breakdown and do not consider going to therapy to learn how to respond to your emotions more effectively, you are draining yourself further. You invested in the study material, now make sure you invest in yourself in therapy to Pass this exam.
Strategy 3: Remember who you are
You chose this path for a reason. There were days you didn’t think you could get through graduate school but, here you are. You can see the finish line. Except you find yourself questioning if you are competent enough to make it to the other side. Imposter Syndrome has completely taken over. Remember, every class you took in graduate school was preparation for this exam. You’ve been studying all along and made it this far for a reason. That reason isn’t to fail in the final moments. If you need more support, review Strategy 2 and make a therapy appointment to check-in.
Strategy 4: It’s just another Exam
By now, you have taken lots of practice exams. You're familiar with the setup. You have done it more times than you can count. This is just another version of that test. The only difference is this test is in a different space than your study space and it counts. Believe in yourself because you have done this over and over again. The only difference is today is exam day. You are still the same person you were when you got the diploma. You are qualified if they are letting you sit for the exam.
Disclaimer: This blog is not a replacement for therapy. If you or someone you may know is preparing to take a licensure exam or struggling with stress management while in college or graduate school share this blog with them. If you are interested in more tips and resources subscribe to the RW blog on the bottom page. If you are ready to pass this exam and start therapy, click the link below!
