Building Confidence

Question

Folks,

How do you build your confidence as you work on your GMAT prep? Understandably, as your score improves, u feel more confident. What else can one do to feel more positive and confident? I know there is no straight answer to this question, but I am sure by sharing our thoughts, we can all take back something that could work for us. Thanks!

bb · Answer

Probably biggest confidence builder/booster for me is covering the material, answering the questions correctly in the book and being able to answer questions that I have previously missed or did not know how to solve.

Also, knowing that I am doing everything I can/could helps quite a bit

Blackfoliage · Answer

One thing for myself is to stay focused and make sure when you do study you are not tired to distracted, otherwise you won't do well. I took my first CAT practice test today and got into time pressure on the Q and was convinced I bombed it. After that I didn't focus on the verbal section and just wanted to get it over worth. Ended up with a 50 on the Q but awful V cause i didn't focus.

snkrhed · Answer

For me, the biggest boost in confidence is when I read about something and then I make a connection between that and the problems I'm solving.

anandnat · Answer

Thanks guys! I think its also very important to feel happy and stay positive. You can't come home tired after a hard day's work and then study for GMAT. Do you work, but also talk to people....find time to do those one or two things that make you happy - listen to music/ talk to an old friend and generally be happy and positive.

cecelia · Answer

As I gain a deeper understanding of the topics I am more verbal than mathematical. I gain the confidence to reply to posts.I enjoy math more because the informative posts that explain concepts in a way that invites you think more rather than just plug and chug something I was very guilty of.Thank you GMATS your website gives me more than I am able to express here.

sosogmat · Answer

anandnat,
man i know how you feel...I get soo depressed with this GMAT...I have started working out in conjunction with my intense study schedule...it's what keeps me sane.

adalfu · Answer

try to visualize the light at the end of the tunnel... (maybe it's the school of your choice, or a better career placement)... that'll either
1) motivate you to do better and/or
2) put your studying in perspective so that each time you do something favorable (i.e., get problems correct), you'll get a jolt of confidence booster (or just pure satistfaction)

cecelia · Answer

My aha light-bulb moment.I have been struggling with formulas all night (maths ) when finally it made sense I still have a long way before achieving my goal and still so much to digest and apply. But thanks to the material and simplified explanations I discovered here Its beginning to be a more pleasurable than painful experience.I am not ashamed to say my cup is empty (Tao) only an empty cup may be filled knowledge. Thanks GMATS

TRegan · Answer

"Thanks guys! I think its also very important to feel happy and stay positive. You can't come home tired after a hard day's work and then study for GMAT. Do you work, but also talk to people....find time to do those one or two things that make you happy - listen to music/ talk to an old friend and generally be happy and positive"

I totally agree, especially with coming home from a long day at the office and trying to study. I have a 7 month old so I only study after he goes to sleep which means it's around 9pm when I start. Needless to say, I have to fight to do the quant problems and find myself irritated and sleepy and less motivated.

Moral of the story? Study in the morning/afternoon hours if you can while you have plenty of mental energy!

Strauss · Answer

You made me feel a little bit better.

I guess this process is just going to take me a little longer than I would like.

Michmax3 · Answer

I never really did it before...ever but I'm realizing that working out is giving me more energy and stamina to study for longer. Also drink lots of water, eat healthy and get sleep. It's sad that it's taken something like the GMAT to get me to start taking care of myself properly.

And confidence for me comes in teaching the material to others. Even if you are just starting out, pretend like you are tutoring someone else about what you just learned, it forces you to simplify the material down and makes it more understandable

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