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Dear all, I'm hoping to get some advice from you with regard to fighting test day anxiety. We've all been through this for the LSAT 3 years ago, and I'm sure we can deal with the bar. However, for the sake of being mentally prepared, how do you guys deal with test day anxiety?

For example, when the bar proctor says: YOU MAY BEGIN NOW. I get nervous, and I have to take a moment to calm down (this happened during the Barbri full day simulation). I was wondering, how do you guys deal with anxiety? Thanks.

tepper wrote:Dear all, I'm hoping to get some advice from you with regard to fighting test day anxiety. We've all been through this for the LSAT 3 years ago, and I'm sure we can deal with the bar. However, for the sake of being mentally prepared, how do you guys deal with test day anxiety?

For example, when the bar proctor says: YOU MAY BEGIN NOW. I get nervous, and I have to take a moment to calm down (this happened during the Barbri full day simulation). I was wondering, how do you guys deal with anxiety? Thanks.

Try these: http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22 They are great. Relax me and I do them everyday. I now am more calm in genearl and yes when the bar comes i will be stressed but baseline less stressed. IT TAKES TIME. but 2 weeks OF GUIDED mediation and i think you will be where you need to be.

In addition to the aforementioned, I think that it is good to work it out physically with another person. I have my bf and I go to the gym 4-7 times a week and run or lift weight machines.

bigstumpdriver wrote:

tepper wrote:Dear all, I'm hoping to get some advice from you with regard to fighting test day anxiety. We've all been through this for the LSAT 3 years ago, and I'm sure we can deal with the bar. However, for the sake of being mentally prepared, how do you guys deal with test day anxiety?

For example, when the bar proctor says: YOU MAY BEGIN NOW. I get nervous, and I have to take a moment to calm down (this happened during the Barbri full day simulation). I was wondering, how do you guys deal with anxiety? Thanks.

Try these: http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22 They are great. Relax me and I do them everyday. I now am more calm in genearl and yes when the bar comes i will be stressed but baseline less stressed. IT TAKES TIME. but 2 weeks OF GUIDED mediation and i think you will be where you need to be.

In addition to the aforementioned, I think that it is good to work it out physically with another person. I have my bf and I go to the gym 4-7 times a week and run or lift weight machines.

oh wow that's a cool link. Thanks!

tepper wrote:

bigstumpdriver wrote:

tepper wrote:Dear all, I'm hoping to get some advice from you with regard to fighting test day anxiety. We've all been through this for the LSAT 3 years ago, and I'm sure we can deal with the bar. However, for the sake of being mentally prepared, how do you guys deal with test day anxiety?

For example, when the bar proctor says: YOU MAY BEGIN NOW. I get nervous, and I have to take a moment to calm down (this happened during the Barbri full day simulation). I was wondering, how do you guys deal with anxiety? Thanks.

Try these: http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22 They are great. Relax me and I do them everyday. I now am more calm in genearl and yes when the bar comes i will be stressed but baseline less stressed. IT TAKES TIME. but 2 weeks OF GUIDED mediation and i think you will be where you need to be.

In addition to the aforementioned, I think that it is good to work it out physically with another person. I have my bf and I go to the gym 4-7 times a week and run or lift weight machines.

oh wow that's a cool link. Thanks!

You are very welcome. The ones I recommend are Breath Sound Body for during the day, this is the one I think helps with bar examinations. The sleep one is also very good for falling asleep during this stressful time.

Then again sometimes I just drink lots of wine and get my body dominated by my bf or massager. Not an option before the exam though.

I suffer from anxiety in the same way you describe (i.e. hyperventilating, blacking out, numb hands). I'm not a doctor, so take this for what it is. I got a prescription for propranolol from my doctor, which really helps. It isn't an anxiety med per se, and it's very common. It is a blood pressure drug that just prevents your autonomic system from kicking in. Basically, once your mind becomes preoccupied with the test, you won't feel anxious, but it's those first few minutes that are critical. Propranolol delays the autonomic system reaction so you won't feel those symptoms at the start and your mind can focus on the test. A basic family practioner will likely be able to prescribe it to you assuming you don't have major health problems or such. I don't have side effects, and it has made test taking possible for me.

Also, if you're doing the Barbri course, they have some meditation exercises under their other resources program. The body scan technique they discuss is really helpful, and I've been doing that.

I also get really nervous before starting exams or doing moot court. What keeps me calm in those situations is just preoccupying my mind with something before they say start. I also focus on slowing my breathing -- 5 seconds to breath in, 1 second to hold, and 7 seconds to breath out. It's also important to keep your anxiety down in the days ahead by sleeping well and exercising.

LSATNightmares wrote:I suffer from anxiety in the same way you describe (i.e. hyperventilating, blacking out, numb hands). I'm not a doctor, so take this for what it is. I got a prescription for propranolol from my doctor, which really helps. It isn't an anxiety med per se, and it's very common. It is a blood pressure drug that just prevents your autonomic system from kicking in. Basically, once your mind becomes preoccupied with the test, you won't feel anxious, but it's those first few minutes that are critical. Propranolol delays the autonomic system reaction so you won't feel those symptoms at the start and your mind can focus on the test. A basic family practioner will likely be able to prescribe it to you assuming you don't have major health problems or such. I don't have side effects, and it has made test taking possible for me.

Also, if you're doing the Barbri course, they have some meditation exercises under their other resources program. The body scan technique they discuss is really helpful, and I've been doing that.

I also get really nervous before starting exams or doing moot court. What keeps me calm in those situations is just preoccupying my mind with something before they say start. I also focus on slowing my breathing -- 5 seconds to breath in, 1 second to hold, and 7 seconds to breath out. It's also important to keep your anxiety down in the days ahead by sleeping well and exercising.

thank you, that was very helpful.