Breathe, Stretch, Shake, Let it Go!

Written on 3:59 PM by O

I took a second practice MCAT for my Princeton Review Course today. To my surprise, my scores dipped from the first one I took. What happened to all the physics formulas I memorized? All the practice with the verbal section? There are 3 sections: Physical Sciences, Verbal and Biological Sciences. I increased my score in Biological Sciences but somehow lost more points in the Physical Sciences and Verbal sections. Disappointed? Yes. But there’s got to be a way forward.

In my analysis of the situation (and I like to get over bad things as quickly as possible after they happen), I realized how confident I have been in knowing my Biology. I probably don’t know any less Biology than Physics and Chemistry or English for that matter but I am sure of what I know about Biology. Did this make the difference?

As I examined my Verbal and Physical Sciences scores, I figured how afraid I am of doing badly in these sections. A lot depends on me getting as many questions right as I possibly can. Is my desire to do well working antagonistically with my ability? With the Verbal section, I did quite well the last time I took the test. Was I overconfident in applying the newly learned techniques that helped me the last time?

What I need to do is be sure of what I know about Physical Sciences and be calm while I’m taking that section of the test. I actually caught myself holding my breath while thinking of the answer to a question in that section earlier today. Perhaps a little look in the mirror to remind myself of how hard I have worked to get this far and of my God given abilities will reassure me and help me nail it the next time around.

A good balance of confidence and a healthy appreciation of failure perhaps is all I need.

Has your confidence been knocked down lately? What do you do to get back up?

-O