Optimising Exam Performance
Confident performance | stress management | verbal communication skills.
Are you preparing for an exam? Worried – or terrified – about the day?
Whether that upcoming date in the calendar feels like the most important hurdle of your life so far, or just another challenge to deal with, you can learn how to reduce and work with performance stress.
As a recent Doctor client described it to me: “being judged by a superior, with consequences”.
You might suffer from:
- Mind blanks or freezing on the spot
- Heart-racing, breathlessness
- Sweating, overheating or freezing hands and feet (maybe despite the weather!)
- Afraid you’ll have a panic attack (maybe you have, or come close in the past)
- Trouble sleeping in the weeks and days beforehand.
I’ve worked with clients who’ve had all these issues. And they’ve often carried the extra mental burden of previous exam failure – and even knowing this is their last chance.
The stakes can be extremely high. Not to mention the possible financial strain and added pressure of entering or resitting.
How Optimising Exam Performance Coaching works
You’ll learn practical techniques tailored specifically for your own personality and challenges.
I have a unique approach and focus on areas of exam performance that aren’t often mentioned but which can have a big impact on your chances of success.
There will probably be new approaches and solutions you’ve never heard before – as well as ones you already know, but perhaps with a new, helpful twist.
How Optimising Exam Performance Coaching works
The skills in communication and confident performance you’ll learn will also benefit other scenarios and relationships you have in the future.
Prior preparation
How to prepare and what to avoid – and what to replace with – in the lead-up to the day. These tools are practical, simple and can be fitted around your already busy schedule.
On the day
What to do on the exam day itself: what your body and mind need, and how to access the tools and strategies you’ve learned beforehand. Again, tailored for you specifically.
During the exam
How to stay calm, focused and able to access your knowledge. And to demonstrate strong, clear communication skills, particularly when under high levels of stress.
The details:
- 1 month (flexible) 2 x 50 minute sessions
- Online or in person (Melbourne)
- Includes resources: videos, templates, exercises
- Light access to me between sessions
- Discussion and testing which may include role-playing (if chosen).
- Video modules to reinforce the learning.
Note: the coaching can be extended if you choose.
Investment $490 + GST.
My background and how it supports you to succeed
After years of struggling with performance and public speaking anxiety I’ve learned what’s needed to prepare and perform at your best in front of an audience.
Even if that audience is just one examiner, or a small panel. You know it’s not about the number of people judging you.
I personally know the visceral fear of having to show up when every fibre of me wanted to run. Of the clamour of self-doubt filling my head with ugly scenarios of what was about to happen.
I originally trained as a professional Classical pianist. During 6 years at music college in the U.K. I suffered performance anxiety – and was still able to pull things together and perform at a high level in venues such as the Purcell Room, Southbank, London.
I was also unable to speak in public, trying to speak to audiences at concerts. My voice shook, I couldn’t look at people face-on…and I swallowed all the time!
Through research, self-awareness tools and lots of testing, I learned how to step up and make it happen successfully. And I’ve helped literally 1000’s of clients to do the same in the past 15 years.
What my clients are saying
“Sarah’s own experience of overcoming anxiety makes her authentic and passionate.”
Richard Lawrence
Head of Relationships and Analytics - AFM Investment Partners
“I passed the exam! A big thank you to you for all your help – the techniques you taught me worked and I’m certain they contributed to my success on the day.”
Dr Aaron Bagnato