In the September issue of the Physician Assistant Exam newsletter, which is the monthly print newsletter I publish, I cover some key habits or routines. One of which is the bedtime routine.
Sounds a bit silly, right? Sounds a little beneath you, right?
How does tossing and turning the night before a big exam sound? How does trying to force yourself to sleep while gold standards and antibiotics keep racing through your mind?
I’ll take a little silly and a good night’s rest every time, and one small section of this month’s newsletter covers the key features of a bedtime routine. For one, it doesn’t have to be elaborate, just consistent. Routines work because your brain recognizes the signals and knows what’s coming and what to do next.
Ever wonder why you can’t fall asleep some nights? You most likely sent you brain signals that said, “Get up, there’s work to do.” And then you tried to go to sleep.
Sleep training is a big deal and might be part of a full issue sometime down the road. For September, we cover it briefly because a well-rested brain is a less anxious brain, and less anxious brain is far, far better at test taking.
People ask, “What’s my number one test taking trick?”
“Get a good night sleep for at least a week before a major exam.”
It isn’t glamorous. It isn’t bright and shiny, but it’s the best there is. Treat your brain right, and it’ll work right for you. Plain and simple.
Anyway, in the September issue I’m going to give you six techniques for annihilating anxiety. We are going to take you from a nervous Nelly to a Cool Calm Casandra.
You will have to do some work. You will have to practice, but if you follow the instructions in this issue you should see your test scores steadily climb. And that’s without any more test-taking tricks or any more studying.
Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace