Horrible Nerves

happyfish

Has anyone any advice to calm the nerves during the test?
Failed my test in cavan last month because I was so nervous,I started to cry at one point because I'd made a a tiny tiny mistake and then promptly stalled the engine twice and rolled down a hill..
I'm normally a good driver and my driving instructor got me to rebook the test straight away , which I did but I'm sure I'll just freak out in the same way again.!!
I had this same problem for my Leaving cert orals,I was a good student but i cracked up completely:(
Has anyone any advice I don't know what to do...Feel like I could practice and practice and have millions of lessons but i'll never get over these nerves,I'm literally shaking here just at the thought of being in the car with an examiner again:(
Thanks so much!

**Timbuk2**

There's something you can get in a chemists like Boots called 'Rescue Remedy', and it's supposed to calm nerves - I've never used it myself, but apparently it works, and it is safe to take before a driving test.

And I can completely relate to the LC Oral, that was a hellish experience. We had to do our mock French oral in front of everybody in the class (instead of privately as the real thing would me), and suffice to say it's the most nervous I've ever been - I'd rather sit about 10 driving tests than do it again!

Also, I failed my first test also, and found that I was less nervous the second time, simply because I had done a test before and knew the whole procedure!

happyfish

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

There's something you can get in a chemists like Boots called 'Rescue Remedy', and it's supposed to calm nerves - I've never used it myself, but apparently it works, and it is safe to take before a driving test.

And I can completely relate to the LC Oral, that was a hellish experience. We had to do our mock French oral in front of everybody in the class (instead of privately as the real thing would me), and suffice to say it's the most nervous I've ever been - I'd rather sit about 10 driving tests than do it again!

Also, I failed my first test also, and found that I was less nervous the second time, simply because I had done a test before and knew the whole procedure!

Thanks I'll definitely give that a go anyway:)Glad to see there's nervous people out there that managed to pass the test..!!
Did you have any pretests?My driving school doesn't offer them and I wonder if it would be helpful:)?

savvyav

I'm doing my test this week and I got that Driving Test Angel download that was recommended in another thread. It's just a meditation and deep breathing exercises. I don't know if I'm imagining it but I feel super calm about my test (though that could be from doing loads of lessons lately ). Only thing is, the woman who does the meditation is French and I find her accent and occasional grammatical mistakes a bit distracting. It's only 15£ though so its worth a go.
Having said that, I'm sure I'll be necking Rescue Remedy on the morning of the test

tiredcity

i also failed my first test due to being an absolute nervous wreck (he actually made me pull during it TWICE to take a breather cause i was shaking so badly). i'm taking it again soon and the anticipation was sending me down the panic plughole again but the best advice i've heard so far (for me anyway!) is try to smile while you're driving. it sounds a bit daft but i found myself instantly relaxing when otherwise i'd be clinging to the wheel. also if you do something stupid during the test do NOT allow yourself to panic. it may be a far more minor mistake then you think. take a deep breath and carry on. worst case scenario is failing and that's really not the end of the world

happyfish

thanks guys, I'm looking at the website for the driving test angel now I think I'll give it a shot.!!:)And I'll try smiling while driving:D
I know failing it isn't the worst thing ever I just feel very stressed over it all and feel even worse at the thought of failing it again and that's all I can think of..
Have no problem with nerves while driving normally it was just when I was in the test which makes it even hard to get help with in the lessons because he just says I'm fine!
Think I'll look into getting a pretest as well!

mickrock

You could go to a doctor, explain your situation and he should prescribe some anti-anxiety medication.

He'll most likely give you a benzodiazepine e.g. Xanax. This will help calm your mind.

If the physical symptoms are bad he might also presscribe a beta blocker, Inderal being the most popular. (This shouldn't be taken if you've asthma.) This will help with shaking, racing heart etc.

Don't take the meds for the first time on the day of the test. You need to find out well in advance, through experimentation, what doses will work best for you. For example, too little Xanax won't calm you down enough, while too much might make your mind groggy. Start off with a low dose and then increase it over time, as necessary.

happyfish

mickrock wrote: »

You could go to a doctor, explain your situation and he should prescribe some anti-anxiety medication.

He'll most likely give you a benzodiazepine e.g. Xanax. This will help calm your mind.

If the physical symptoms are bad he might also presscribe a beta blocker, Inderal being the most popular. (This shouldn't be taken if you've asthma.) This will help with shaking, racing heart etc.

Don't take the meds for the first time on the day of the test. You need to find out well in advance, through experimentation, what doses will work best for you. For example, too little Xanax won't calm you down enough, while too much might make your mind groggy. Start off with a low dose and then increase it over time, as necessary.

Hmm kinda reluctant to go down this road tbh!
But actually got the date for my test and its the same week I'm starting lectures in college so I'm postponing-too much stress all at once...
Thanks anyway for the replys I'll need the advice soon again anyway:D

Blooming

I have my test tomorrow at lunch time (and the schools are back:(). I am the same as you so so so nervous. Keep telling myself it will be okay if I fail, no biggy, it's not working though:eek::eek::eek: