Knocking Knees, Churning Stomach and other Symptoms

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Tomorrow morning, I go to take my Praxis testing, which hopefully means I can be admitted into the Teaching Certification program, and I am sooooo nervous. Granted, much of the information is somewhat “common knowledge”, and as I already have a bachelor’s degree it shouldn’t be too complicated, but I’m really stressing over this.

There are three parts to the test–Math, Writing and Reading Comprehension. Thw latter two I know I’ll do well, since my thing is reading and writing (I’ll be an English teacher, duh), but the math? I took college algebra FOUR times, and had to withdrawl from classes because I was failing–and that’s after attending every single class and doing all the homework and asking questions in class when I wasn’t clear (which was about all the time). The final time I took the class, I had the head of the Math division teaching the class and there were only five of us in the class, and I swear the “C” he gave me as a final grade was strictly a mercy grade, because I bombed all of the tests. I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I’ve basically accepted the fact that math and I don’t click, and if I can’t use a calculator, I don’t even attempt anything math related. So, the idea of taking another math test is really freaking me out (especially since there aren’t any calculators allowed!).

The test cost a small fortune to take (okay, it is only $115, but that’s a weeks worth of groceries for my family!), and I can’t afford financially to retake it if I don’t score well. Plus, I must score high enough to be enrolled into the certification program. If I dont’ score well, then I have to hold off until I can retake the test, which means everything (scholarships, etc.) are on hold until then and everything is up in the air.

I’ve taken the pre-tests (all ten questions, whoopee), and done well, but still…I don’t perform well under pressure. Even when I was giving birth to my kids, I just wanted to crawl under the front porch, or go into a darkened closet like a cat and give birth, instead of doing so in front of everyone. (But, weirdly enough, the idea of teaching a class doesn’t freak me out. I’ve even taught two semesters at jr. college and did well.)

And now I’m really stressed.

2

Well, first of all, I should provide a disclaimer that I am neither a psychologist or a mathematician. However, I’ve always had a knack for math and have often found myself helping friends study who have challenges with the subject. (Well, back when any of us were young enough to be in school. :wink: )

Anyway, the best advice I can give you before the test is focus on calming your anxiety. You’ve done everything you can to learn the subject, it sounds like to me. Your biggest enemy at this point is fear. I’ve known many a math-phobic improve their scores noticably by using relaxation techniques – whether it be deep breathing, thinking of a calm place you like, or what have you. Seems to me the successful techniques vary a lot from person to person. I even had one friend who was noticably calmer if he had a shot of tequila and listened to the overture to Beethoven’s Ninth before the exam (go fig).

Good luck!