Test Day Swagger
Well tomorrow is the big day. I’m taking the next part of my medical boards, known as the USMLE Step 2 CK. The computer-based exam covers pretty much all of med school so far. It’s quite the marathon with 368 questions over 8 hours, plus an hour of break time. All the questions are based around patient cases with x-rays, labs, and plenty of pictures to complete the story.
Students taking their medical boards are fortunate enough to have a testing center right on campus. The Academic Testing Center is located in the Center for Creative Education on the HSC. It’s great that students don’t have to worry about traveling out of town and can sleep in their own bed the night before the big test. The proctors for boards are the same folks who proctor all med school exams, so it’s nice to see some familiar faces. They do their best to ensure that everything runs smoothly and the environment is as relaxing as can be. If it wasn’t for the mental bombardment it wouldn’t be such a bad place to hang out!
This is one of the last tests I’ll have to take before I graduate. I look forward to a time when I won’t have the dark cloud of an exam constantly hanging over me. But such is the life of any student; we are chronic test takers. When it comes to exams, it’s obviously helpful to crack the books beforehand. Yet attitude on the big day also plays a huge role. Even if your palms are sweaty and your belly is producing sounds you’ve never heard before, you have to stay positive and take your seat with confidence. Whether you call it moxie, mojo, or swagger, I think the best way to give yourself a boost before a big test is with music. Here are some of songs I’ll have on my iPod before the exam.
Europe – “The Final Countdown”
Muse – “Time is Running Out”
One Block Radius – “Loud and Clear”
MGMT – “Kids”
The Killers – “All These Things that I’ve Done”
So what are some of your favorite pre-exam swagger songs???
Tags: academic testing center, music, swagger, USMLE
August 26th, 2009at 9:05 am
Good Luck Patrick! I am sure you will do fine on the exam. Some day you will look back at all of the tests and studying and say that it was worth it. I have enjoyed your articles and you have a talent for expressing yourself. Good luck.
August 26th, 2009at 10:00 am
Good luck on your exam tomorrow Pat. I am confident that you will do great! Remain persistent and continue to study (life in general as well). Thanks for sharing some of your “swagger songs”. I have a few songs in which I listen that are upbeat and they are: Al B. Sure -”Day and Night”, Chaka Khan – “Chaka Khan”, Michael Jackson – “Don’t Stop Till you Get Enough”, 2Pac – “Me Against The World”, Coldplay – “Clocks” and The Verve – “Bittersweet Symphony”. Thanks for sharing!
August 26th, 2009at 12:50 pm
good lucky pattie!! Here are some songs that i like to listen too…
“Dancing Queen” – ABBA
“Achy Breacky Heart” – Billie Ray Cyrus
“Copacabana” – Barry Manilow
August 26th, 2009at 1:14 pm
Patrick:
How could you NOT succeed? It is so obvious that this is what you love and are meant to do.
Your blog is great – it’s interesting and very well written. It’s the only one I read right away whenever it appears. I wish you the best tomorrow!
August 26th, 2009at 1:34 pm
Good luck Patrick. I have no doubt that you’ll feel good in the morning, as well as feeling even better once the test is complete. I’ll share a few songs to broaden your playlist. Other than the first one, the rest won’t help your swagger–but I hope you like them.
Vintage John Cougar… “I Need a Lover that won’t Drive me Crazy”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy1LoGS6xkE
An oldie by Randy Warmer…”You left me, just when I needed you most” http://www.songarea.com/mc/2/randy_van_warmer.html
And a more recent song by Fountains of Wayne…”Valley Winter Song Winter in New England”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctu406Wa2Ik
Enjoy and Ace your Exam!!!!
Marie
August 26th, 2009at 4:10 pm
Pat, have fun tomorrow! Yes, I said fun. You are right that a positive attitude can go a long way to help you succeed on tests, in life. I’m sure you will do fine. I don’t have any songs to share since I haven’t taken a test in years but my thoughts will be with you.
August 28th, 2009at 10:55 am
Hope all went well!
August 31st, 2009at 12:05 pm
Hey pat, i hope the test went well, next time why don’t you come swagger over to my place when you’re finished