The MCAT is a part of your pre-med journey that may feel extremely daunting and lonely–possibly even more so than pre-med classes, which you are taking with other students. Having a clear mind is imperative to your success on the test–not only do you need to be able to focus and cope with the stress of the exam, but you also need to be able to tune out any negative energy that may come in the form of others’ opinions or experiences on the exam. It is important to understand that everyone is on their own personal journey when it comes to the exam and that another person’s experience has nothing to do with your own.
Mindfulness can help you remain focused on MCAT studying and your exam by allowing your mind to concentrate on only the task in front of you. It is easy to get overwhelmed by all of the material on the test, but approaching your studies with a clearer mind will improve the quality of your studying and subsequently, your performance on the exam. Taking the time to work on your mental state through mindfulness and meditation is something that will help support your mental health as well as improve your score on the actual test.
Written By: Mariam Trichas