Well, I think it’s more that I did take a big test. My dream was that it turned out that I had gone and taken the wrong test. Eek!
I completed my one year of grad school 22 years ago and I *still *have the test dream. I also still have the one where I suddenly realize that I signed up for a class, it’s several weeks into the term, and I haven’t attended a single lecture, done any of the reading, or started to work on the term paper/project.
I’m another one whose version of the dream is getting to the end of the semester, realizing I haven’t been to class ever, and it’s exam day. Sometimes I have the variation of not even knowing which classes I’m in and I’m frantically trying to find the registrar’s office to see if there’s anything I can do. But I’ve never bothered to learn where that is either.
I’m 44 and haven’t had a test since grad school 20 years ago. I’ve always been damned glad to wake up from that dream–even when I haven’t been all that thrilled with my job or situation in life. Whatever it was, it was better than that dream!
Okay, I’ve had the “unprepared for school” dreams, the naked dreams (but I don’t seem to be very concerned about it), and the “unprepared for meeting” dreams. But there’s one that still has me waking in a sweat…
I’m 53, and two or three times a year I’ll have the dream where I’m back in USMC boot camp. I can remember that I re-enlisted for this, too. Suddenly, I come to the realization that I had a great job, a wife that loves me, and other good stuff, and can’t remember why I gave all that up to be back in the Corps.
The only relief is in waking up to find I haven’t given any of it up.
I’m 55 and I still have the test dream on occasion ---- with a twist, I haven’t been to classes and don’t know where they are because I’m a grown-up and have a full-time job !!
For the most part the test dream has been replaced by a grown-up variation … I know I’m supposed to get on a plane and go somewhere very important but I don’t know when the flight leaves or where it leaves from or where it is going and I haven’t packed and I have no way to get to the airport and I can find the itinerary and can’t boot my computer to look it up, etc etc etc.
I have this one a lot a few times a week at least.
I’ve had this one, but not for a decade or more. In my dream it was a math class, so there wasn’t a chance in hell I could fake my way through the test.
I have a variant of this about once a year, too: I’ve taken a trip somewhere and I am preparing to go home, but I have no information about the flight home, such as what day or time it is or the airlines, and can’t find my tickets.
Top of my leaderboard too. A simple task just cannot be achieved no matter what, usually under time pressure. Often it’s getting ready for work - it’s 3 PM and you still haven’t managed to button your shirt properly.
I’m 41 and as recently as in the last year I’ve had the “I’m back at school and just realized I haven’t been going to class all semester” dream. I’m not sure it ever stops. I also have the occasional “showering/using the toilet in front of people” dream.
This is EXACTLY what I came to say, except that I’m 40–but was in grad school as recently as 7.5 years ago, if that’s relevant.
One spin on my version is that it’s almost always a science class that I’ve been skipping: organic chemistry, calculus, something like that. I majored in history and didn’t take anything like that. Perhaps this is my subconscious telling me that I’ve failed.
ETA: I just saw John T’s similiar post. Damn, what is it about this dream?
Come again?
RealityChuck has indicated in this thread that he doesn’t have this type of dream. I don’t either–in fact, as best I can recall, I don’t have any of the typical anxiety dreams. No “unprepared for test” dreams, “naked at school” dreams, or even falling dreams. I do have nightmares at times, but not this kind.
Out of 230 responses I tallied in an earlier thread about the most common bad dreams on the Dope, 30 of them (13%) were in the “unprepared for exam” category–the most common response by a substantial margin, followed by “teeth falling out”.
I guess I’m one of the few who has never had this dream (that I can recall).
Frankly, I have a hard time recalling any of my dreams in detail.
- Still have dreams where I missed a bunch of school and can’t even find or remember the classes/location. If a test is involved, it’s just worse.
Here is my favorite movie reference to the nightmare/dream referenced in the OP. Must see!
My ‘test dream’ is usually more of a ‘oops, I forgot I had that class, maybe I should have gone to it all semester and goodie the final is tomorrow’ dream.
Though, I did that with nearly all of my electives in university so it is even more believable.
However, I usually remember that I have already graduated at some point.
I’ve certainly had the test dream, but I can’t remember the last time. It seems like years. I’m 48.
Recently my dreams of frustration involve one of two things:
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I’m trying to complete a menial task, like dialing a phone number, an important phone number, and I keep getting it wrong. 555-1213. Crap! 555-2. Crap! 555-122. Crap! 555-1211. Crap! This is always in front of other people who are growing more and more impatient with my total bumbling idiot self.
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I’m playing golf. I’m trying to tee off, but cannot find a suitable spot. Every time I place the ball, there’s either something blocking my back swing, my follow through, or my view of the green. Again, in front of a group of impatient and upset golfers.
Man, my dreams are weird…
Never had the test dream.
I ace tests, and I can’t recall ever studying, other than reading the material.
I had the naked in school dream often, until I spent a few weekends at nudist holidays…
Last time was as a teen, I am 36
This. I blew off enough classes that totally forgetting a class is somewhat believable.
I just had the “test dream” a couple of nights ago and I’m 63.