How to Avoid Test Anxiety on BOC Exam Day

Let’s talk about how to avoid test anxiety on the day you take the BOC exam. I want to make clear that there are numerous possible ways to reduce anxiety, and this is just a shortlist of things that have helped many students.

I believe that everyone gets anxious about a major test, especially the BOC. For many students, this is the last and greatest obstacle before they can become employed athletic trainers. A little nervousness is to be expected, but be careful not to let it get out of control. You need to be “appropriately nervous.” This means that you need to feel just nervous enough to motivate you to study — a lot.

I’ve had a few students in the past that relate to me how they felt “over-confident” when they took the BOC the first time. “How hard could it be?” was their attitude. Unfortunately, these students found out too late that you have to take the BOC seriously in order to succeed.

Here are a few tips to significantly reduce your anxiety:

1. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Remember — “Prior preparation prevents poor performance”.
2. Take care of yourself. The body is an instrument of the mind, requiring constant and consistent nourishment. On the day of the test, eat a healthy breakfast and skip the caffeine. Get lots of sleep and don’t try to cram. I love Michael’s…