Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: dulciana on January 06, 2014, 01:56:48 PM
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Help! Self-imposed stress time again! I'm sitting an all-day exam on Wednesday and I'm dreading it. I'm worried about loss of concentration, forgetting things, going blank, needing a glass of water, looking stupid in front of other younger candidates, getting tired, needing something to eat, feeling claustrophobic, getting weepy, etc. etc. and generally spoiling my chances. Oh, and not sleeping well the night before. It's the written (and final) part of a music exam that I've already passed the practical & performance parts of. It matters to me intensely, because if I pass this, it will give me professional status as an organist, having changed over from the piano a number of years ago. I think one of you ladies out there mentioned that you had got your Master's degree not so long ago, but I can't remember who it was. If anyone could empathise or give a word or two of support, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.
Dulciana
:cat88: :)
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:bighug:
Sounds to me like most of the journey is over, and you've succeeded thus far. You have the knowledge and ability, you just need to trust and believe in yourself. You CAN do this!
Maybe find some other activity to focus on.
Count to 10 slowly while practicing deep breathing.
When doubts surface, remind yourself of your previous success and that you DO know what you are doing.
DON'T focus on sleeping the night before, but on relaxing and just doing the calmest thing you enjoy (bubble bath, glass of wine, reading, massage....) 8)
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Hi Dulciana
I was thinking about you, I wasn't sure exactly when the exam was.
The thing is, you can only do your best that's all anybody can do.
Try and keep calm - know it's easier said than done.
Take a glass or bottle of water in with you, a banana mightn't come amiss either.
Just take your time and don't get rushed, you've done all of the work, it will start to come back when you see the questions.
Is there a piece of music you can listen to before to calm yourself or will it distract you?
How about Ride of the Valkyries? A fine example of Woman Power! - Ok perhaps not calming. :valkyrie:
Lots of luck for Wednesday.
Limpy
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Tons of thanks, LilFeather and Limpy
:thankyou:
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Hi Dulciana
You go girlie, you have done most of the hard work. Those younger candidates don't have a patch on you and your skill and wisdom.....they probably were out on the lash the night before this exam!
Do whatever you need to make it go well, deep breathing, focus and after the first few minutes the knowledge will take over and away you go to passing this final part.
Good luck lovely xxxxxx
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Oh I remember taking exams …… and worrying about what to do if I got to the end of the sheet of paper first ::) even now I feel sick, would I put up my hand to ask for the next sheet or wait until someone else did so :-\ …… and what would others think if I were first ……….. we should be over that at our age ::) (oh hats have gone :D ) but it's nerve racking even so!
Good Luck!
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This is all so helpful. Thanks very, very much!
:thankyou:
D.
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Wishing you loads of luck! Do whatever you need to, to keep calm. How about some Bachs rescue remedy pastilles, you can suck a few before/during exam. I get on better with the pastilles than spray, but if spray would work for you, that's fine too.
Sure you will do absolutely fine! Fingers crossed.
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My daughter is in the middle of studying for a BA. She is very tired and hugely stressed and she is only 19.
I really admire you going for what you want as a mature student.
My daughter is always calm on the day. She always says that at that point there is nothing more she can do to prepare so let's get it over with.
Wishing you the very best of luck. You have maturity on your side and we can teach those young ones a thing or two.
Honeyb
x
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Thanks, Cubagirl and Honeybun. Mmm, Bach Flower pastilles - good idea!
D.
:thankyou:
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They come in 2 flavours - natural & blackcurrant. I like the blackcurrant ones. You can get in health shops, or even the supermarket. I know stresscos sell them.
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Dear Dulciana,
I wish you all the best! Well done! I will quote what my husband would say to you in the course of his professional work. It's just a thought! We all live in our heads. Our thoughts are not real. You can't stop the thoughts coming in, but remind yourself they are not real, then you won't react and get those feelings. You will be fine! Ju Juxx
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:thankyou:
Ju Ju - I'll keep this in mind!
D.
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How did exam go dulciana? Bet once you got started you were fine. :)
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:) Was just stopping in to see how things went, as well!
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Thanks Cubagirl and LilFeather. Thanks for asking!
I don't think it went too badly, thinking back. One of the six questions was available to prepare over ten days ahead of the exam, instead of doing it on the morning - I'm mighty glad I did this (even though it didn't make for a very restful Christmas holiday!) because I'm sure it helped prevent the flushes, which I only had a hint of, near the end of the afternoon.
During the lunch break, I headed off to a department store for a bite to eat and quietly look over things for the afternoon. Nice cafe - but oh dear, a baby there had such a strong set of lungs to scream with every time she wanted some more milk, that I had to sit reading with my fingers in my ears! Not to worry, though, because there was time to look over stuff again when I got back to the exam venue.
It was held in Huddersfield University and I have to say - if anyone on MM is from Huddersfield -what a friendly city! I felt a wee bit sad to leave!
Anyway, now I've got a five-week (!*) wait for the results, so hubby and I are going out for a meal, and I'm going to get right back into organ playing again!
D.
x
:cancan:
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:cancan: :cancan: :cancan:
It's horrid waiting for exam results, its like being back at school - waiting for that envelope to drop through the door.
Fingers crossed for you! :)
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It will be good to get back to actually playing!
Hope things go well when the results arrive, but I'me sure they will, long time to wait though.
Like CG says, fingers crossed.
:cancan: :cancan: :cancan:
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:thankyou: :bighug:
D.
x
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Meant to say to everyone who wished me well for this - I took a print-out of your kind and supportive comments with me, to keep me going on the day. What a help this was - thanks to all!
D.
x
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Great idea on the printout, Dulciana!
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Hey Dulciana
Well done hun....you did it and a great achievement for you. Sounds like you made good use of the time over lunch too.
Go girlie to success and don't look back...the past can cheat us of things for the future...moto being keep on moving forward xxxxxxxxx
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Thanks Mrs January. I will.
Looking back at my post for this thread, I didn't actually get any of the meno symptoms I was worried about - not a single one! Reminds me of a wall plaque that used to hang above the stairs in the home of one of my school friends - it read, "Our worst fears are seldom realised". How true!