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One of my biggest issues is trying not to panic on an exam. Had an exam today, just barely managed to keep it together. Spent the first five minutes trying to calm down, because I was thinking, "This is it, this is it, THIS IS IT." Ugh, it reminds of the LSAT...man I freaked out big time for that too.

Anyone know of a good, reliable way to keep exam anxiety down? Do you know of a pill or anything? I've done meditation before, and it works but only to a certain extent. You have to meditate every day, morning and evening, for like at least a month in advance before you can have it work for you on an exam. Needless to say, I did not meditate at all this semester, but I did study my ass off. All the studying in the world won't help me though, if I can't keep my head screwed on during an exam. One of my classmates used Rescue Remedy -has anyone used that and had it work?

Beta blockers can help with that, I used to have anxiety in some situations and used them for that.

luthersloan wrote:Beta blockers can help with that, I used to have anxiety in some situations and used them for that.

Prescription only?

Yeah, but if you tell your doctor whats up he will probably give them to you, I do not think the abuse potential is that high, since they do not dope you up the just keep you from having that sort of panic reaction.

I'm using Rescue Remedy pastilles right this second actually. Do they work? I don't know. Maybe. I don't panic before big tests, and my first exam isn't until later this week. I'm going to pop them nonstop during the test, but it's more so I can avoid the urge to irritate all my classmates (and break a few statutes) by chainsmoking in class. So, it's hard to say whether they will work for what you want them to.

Get a professional massage every 2-3 days the week before exams and during exam week. Around here you can get an hour massage at an Chinese massage parlor for around $40. Pretty cheap in comparison to seeing a doctor and paying for meds that might mess with your thought process.

shepdawg wrote:Get a professional massage every 2-3 days the week before exams and during exam week. Around here you can get an hour massage at an Chinese massage parlor for around $40. Pretty cheap in comparison to seeing a doctor and paying for meds that might mess with your thought process.

(dood who doesnt have health insurance)

Meditation can help maybe, but it's more effective to fix your physical position. Your mind will follow.

Next time you feel yourself panicking, take notice of your body. It's probably hunched over, you're tapping your foot, doing something fidgety with your hands, legs are crossed tightly, and so on. Fixing these things helps tremendously.

Uncross those legs and spread out (if you're a woman in a skirt, I guess just try and relax your legs). Roll your shoulders back. Lean back in your chair. Take a deep breath and untense your stomach (let that gut hang out, who gives a damn! ). "Open" your body to the room, like nothing could possibly hurt you (if that makes any sense). Basically just position your body in a way that feels relaxed and confident, and your mind will follow. Trying to think yourself to relaxation doesn't work very well.

If you're not used to "opening" up your body language like this, you might feel a different kind of anxiety that comes from feeling vulnerable and not being used to that. If so, scale it back to a point where you feel comfy.

kalvano wrote:

Good, better yet...



Anxiety will be gone, I guarantee it.

Hot baths with lavender oil every night.

luthersloan wrote:Beta blockers can help with that, I used to have anxiety in some situations and used them for that.

This. I asked my doc for 20mg inderal (standard beta blocker, super safe) for test anxiety. If your anxiety is more generalized during the exam season, rather than concentrated during the specific testing time, you can also try your luck with klonopin (0.5mg) or xanax (1.5mg).

kalvano wrote:

many layers

Take an Ambien.

For gods sake don't try some new drug a day or two before an exam. You don't know how you will react. You need to learn to calm your mind down. If you panic, instead of giving into the panic just think oh this is what panic feels like and observe it in a detached way. It will pass. Once you start thinking oh I'm so panicked, then you are lost. Try to be mindful and think
About where you are right in the moment, not worrying about success or failure.
Longterm I seriously advise you learn to meditate and practice every day. These simple techniques can be learned but it takes time and practice. Trying to apply them at the last minute reduces their efficacy because you aren't used to calming down and focusing.

xanax

honestly, xanax. someone i know takes xanax on big exams and interviews and it has helped her a lot. and not the enormous full "handle" bar, just half of a quarter of a handle bar. this someone i know also got the xanax from a md prescription for flights and long bus rides.

The clear answer is cannabis.

sunynp wrote:For gods sake don't try some new drug a day or two before an exam. You don't know how you will react. You need to learn to calm your mind down. If you panic, instead of giving into the panic just think oh this is what panic feels like and observe it in a detached way. It will pass. Once you start thinking oh I'm so panicked, then you are lost. Try to be mindful and think
About where you are right in the moment, not worrying about success or failure.
Longterm I seriously advise you learn to meditate and practice every day. These simple techniques can be learned but it takes time and practice. Trying to apply them at the last minute reduces their efficacy because you aren't used to calming down and focusing.

yeah dont do it a day before the exam but go see a dr. i'm not all about the rx but sometimes, smart people who work really hard just lose their shit in the spotlight. anxiety disorder

ativan

Are people serious with these recommendations?

Are you going to rely on medication when you have to draft a memo overnight? Man up. Pop some shots if you have to.

haha some people have mental diseases, fo 'real

i don't advocate a pill for every solution but they're there for a reason.

fish tacos wrote:The clear answer is cannabis.

This. A little puff puff pass with your study group after a long study sesh? Solid.

5-htp....its an amino acid you can get at wallgreens / local pharmacy store for about $10 without a prescription or anything like that. It affects the release of serotonin in your brain, its nothing crazy but it will noticeably calms you down. I'm prone to mood swings myself and have a tendency to over-react to outside stimulus, but the HTP has played a huge role in keeping me in a positive state of mind since i've started taking it.