Leading up to exam day:
Practise! Practise! Practise!...and if you can...get together with your classmates for practise sessions.
Just before and on the day:
1. Get everything ready the night before - have a check list. Pop some 'rescue remedy' in your bag too.
2. Leave early so you arrive at the venue with time to spare to set up, get yourself 'in role' and relax.
3. Practise positive self-talk - 'Wouldn't it be great if I passed...' or 'Wouldn't it be great if I got questions I know...' or 'Wouldn't it be great if it went well...' is so much better than 'I'm gonna fail...'.
4. Once everything is set up, stay in your own 'zone', sit quietly and belly breathe - loooong and sloooow! Or practise Chi Kung forms to relax your mind and open your body.
5. Before starting the practical, ground yourself and then work from your 'centre'.
6. Focus on the client. If you're doing that, you can't focus on 'I'm nervous' at the same time. And if you switch back to 'I'm nervous', notice, then switch your attention back to the client again.
7. Have the intention that 'this is going to be the best massage I've ever given'.
8. Smile inside and outside. Wouldn't it be great if you enjoyed the experience? Visualise yourself doing really well.
9. Remember why you started the journey in the first place...and this is pretty much 'it'! You're nearly there.
10. Remember the practical exam is your opportunity to demonstrate all the hours and energy you've put into your training and your coursework...ITS SHOWTIME! At QM we say that the exam is a strategy or a performance...here's the script, learn it, perform it and then pick up the Oscar : ). After all those hours of practise, would you really prefer NOT to do it?
HAVE A GREAT PRACTICAL EXAM Y'ALL!
When you are going to enter a massage therapist certification program, you will learn the basics of the profession. Basic study of this discipline generally includes knowledge in physiology, human anatomy, body mechanics, and kinesiology among other things. Make sure you find the best massage school to fit your needs.
Posted by: Mike | June 14, 2011 at 03:35 PM
If you entered the massage profession because you love what you do and you enjoy helping others and making them feel good, you most likely won't feel nervous during the exam.
Posted by: Shama Kern | August 13, 2011 at 05:21 PM
I guess it's normal to feel nervous, specially when your about to take a very important exam that would mean so much to your career. This tips would really help!
Posted by: holiday club | September 10, 2011 at 11:15 AM
That was helpful as I will take my massage practical exam for this coming month of December. I guess I will do the best that I can do to be a certified massage therapist. Thank you very much for sharing it to us.
Posted by: canada loves massage | November 04, 2011 at 01:22 AM