<p>So tomorrow I am taking the SAT for the second time. Because I want to raise my score so much I feel so stressed and cannot stop thinking about the test. I want to keep my focus on the test, but how do I stay calm at the same time??</p>
<p>Relax! and there’s a reason:</p>
<p>There was a study which (unintentionally) showed that people make significantly better decisions following an enforced period of relaxation. Three groups: One group studied a case for a set period, and then made the decision immediately. Another group studied the case for the same set period, but followed by additional study/review time (they were hypothetically expected to do better with the decision). </p>
<p>A “control” group had a period of ping-pong in place of the extra study period – but here’s the surprise – their decision-making was every bit as good as the extra-study group’s.</p>
<p>So it appears that “sleep on it” is wise advice. The latest hypothesis: our subconscious mind does its best work when our conscious mind isn’t concentrating intensely.</p>
<p>Therefore, the night before the test, simply REST, and relax. You’re not wasting your time at all – you’re making room for your subconscious mind to do it’s own silent preparations.</p>
<p>If you find yourself obsessing about the test too much, maybe practice two different mental exercises: 1) Game face ON and 2) Game face OFF. Once an hour, get your game face ON for five minutes – intense but relaxed concentration. “I am going to be so clearly focused tomorrow that everything is going to be fine.” And, after five minutes, you’ll be able to shift into “game face OFF” mode – “I am not going to let that test-thinking interrupt my [book/movie/conversation/game] until another hour has gone by.”</p>
<p>My son’s been studying for tomorrow’s SAT, too, but he’s not doing a single test-related thing today.</p>