How do I calm the nerves on test day?
Let’s face it, you’re going to be nervous come test day. This is totally normal. The secret, therefore, is not to try and push away the nerves (an impossible task!) but to channel that nervous energy in a productive way. While there’s no one way to do this, a few strategies worth pursuing include:
Try doing a power pose in the minutes leading up to your test. It might feel weird at first, but there’s science to backup its ability to combat those annoying nerves!
If you’re not into power posing, take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth in the minutes before the test.
Practice positive self-talk: “you’ve put in the work, you’re going to be fine!”
Remind yourself that even if things go badly (and they won’t!), you can always re-write the test. At the end of the day, you just need to pass the bar exam once — who cares if it comes on your second or third attempt?!
Try your best to get a good night’s sleep before test day. Easier said than done, we know. But if you are able to sleep well the night before the test, you’ll likely feel more alert during it.
Make sure you take the time to read the Law Society’s rules concerning the test — it’s important to know what exactly you’re walking into.
And finally, put things into perspective! Every lawyer in Ontario was in a position similar to the one that you’re in now. They survived. You will too!
