Talk me through some self doubt, please.

[hungrycaterpillar]

My licensure examination is 3 weeks from today. Everything that I have worked for ultimately comes to this. It's a five hour exam and it gives me the letters PT before my DPT. Right now I just have my doctorate in physical therapy and am treating under a temporary license. I can't really call myself a physical therapist until I've passed the exam.

I'm so so scared. I'm not an awesome test taker although I've always done what it takes to make the grade  in the past. However, I find myself feeling so tired and scared of this exam. It means so much more than all the others. If I don't pass, I have to stop working (they take away my temp license) and I will re-take in October. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but I would be devastated. 

I guess I should get off of GBCN and go back to studying but I just wanted to vent my fears and ask for some encouragement. I know that after everything I've been through in the last year, that I can do anything, but man is it like hell to try to find that final drive to push through.

[noodle]

You've got this.  You have been through so much in the past year, and gotten this far.  This is one test, in a much bigger story about what you've learned and how you've grown.  You'll study and pass the test and keep being an incredible Physical Therapist. 

Spend a bit of time here.  Take care of yourself. Make that final push for this exam.  And then do what you've been working so hard to do. 

(heart)

[hungrycaterpillar]

noodle thank you so much.

[rosiebear]

You know this stuff. You do this stuff and you've studied it. When you sit down to write it, you'll have more to say than you can imagine right now. Breathe, relax, and trust in the hard work you've put in.

[nsl]

You can absolutely do this. And if you need a break, take a break. I swear I've read that we retain information much better when we've had rest time than we do if we just steadily cram.

Moreover, YOU'VE GOT THIS!

[lilac05]

You've got this!

Everyone panics about licensure tests...it's scary to think you might (temporarily) lose everything. But it doesn't happen often in the therapy world. I've only taken the SLP one, but I recall it being largely practical stuff...stuff that I no longer had "memorized"...it was just stuff I knew & made sense at that point. (In other words, it certainly wasn't easy, but my schooling had prepared me for it. I'm sure yours has, too!). My PT friends said similar stuff. I'm guessing your school is proud to report their pass rate...remember that the number includes lots of people who also consider themselves poor test takers!

Trust your gut when answering questions, talk to others who have taken it, and I'm sure you will do well!

[hungrycaterpillar]

Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much. I really appreciate the encouragement.

[mrsukyankee]

Here's what I do with clients - I ask them to look at evidence for and against negative thoughts. My guess, based on what you've posted, is that you have a lot of evidence against you failing this. Realistically, then come up with a more helpful thought, such as "This is going to be hard, but I'm very prepared and have been working toward this exam for a long time." Then keep that more helpful thought in your mind as you prep.

I would also suggest doing some relaxation exercises before you study and before you take the test. This will help get more oxygen to your brain (good for concentration) and keep the negative thoughts at bay (also good for concentration). The fav one of my clients is this:
Imagine yourself filled up with emotional air that fits the emotion you are feeling. The outside is cool, calming air (whatever colour you imagine that to be). As you breathe out, imagine filling up a balloon. As you breathe in, imagine yourself filling up with cool, calming coloured air. Keep going until you feel 'centred'. The tie up the balloon and imagine it floating away.

Best of luck. You are going to rock this!