Testwise, I just wanted to do a quick post about progress. After spending 6 Hrs, today going through a refresher course with MathTutor DVD Algebra 1 & Using some Grockit Study Notes to reinforce what I was learning. The Math light from all of those years in school finally turned on to dim, lol. And, in that moment of solving that Quant Comparison Problem, I felt a glimmer of hope and a reinforcement of belief in myself that I can conqeuor this test if I just continue to believe I can. My Ma’ suggested something she saw on TV about test butterflies. She said to write down what was making me nervous as I was going through the problems. It was so funny she said that b/c about 20 mins before I spoke to her…I had began doing exactly that. I did it so I could start recognizing the patterns that occur when I am trying to answer a problem, meaning what is the self talk going through my had.
1) Read the Problem 2) Think maybe I know this it looks familiar 3) begin to solve & realize I no longer know the rules 4) panic I don’t know how to answer the question & what if I do am I answering it right (freak out mode) 5) guesstimate POE, 50/50 Chance of getting it right or wrong 6) Panic again b/c I am either spending too much time or not enough b/c I don’t know what to do. Thus, the natural inclination after going through this emotional regimen about 7x’s mentally exhausts me. Then, my attitude becomes, I care, but I don’t care…not even sure I am getting them right anyway. Then, I realize that I have 21 more questions to go…and I just give up and start half way reading the question then guessing. Thus, shooting myself in the foot all over again.
The other aspect of it is that I have 1) never been taught how to effectively take standardized test 2) I know that 3) thus, I freak out b/c my brain says I usually fail at this aspect of the game. This time around, I have been using positive reinforcement and just telling myself I can do it, slowly building my confidence one step at a time, and taking victory in the small victories that I accomplish. It is a process.
In reference, to Manhattan GRE, I sat in on their course last Tuesday night. It was great. But, an hour into I found myself distracted and unable to focus any longer. The instruction was good, but I find it insanely difficult to sit in an online classroom and focus. I think part of it is b/c I use a computer 75% of my workday, and the other part of it is that I am str8 Ol’ School. I need to be in a classroom. Where, I can take notes, raise my hand & ask a question if need be, and have face to face human interaction with the people and the instructor. I know you can do all of these things on line. But, it’s not the same for me. I do not learn effectively in an online classroom. Thus, I am glad I did the trial class. I signed up for a local class here in Charlotte face to face interaction. And, I can a repeat the course for free if I am not satisfied with my results on the test. After taking the class. Saturday is our first class…crossing fingers. Lol, so after committing about 10-15 hrs this week. I should be more than prepared to begin the class with a solid framework to build from. Anyway, that is all. I have to go to bed….hittin’ it in the morning.
As Always…Be Luv!
Ra
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