Help me with my nerves....

[NHHunter]

I failed my state test twice so far. Its not lack of skill, the test is very easy. I should be able to do it blind folded. My problem is, I am so nervous when I take the test....really bad! I am in the truck shaking like a leaf. Everyone says I need to relax, I know this....but how???? Failing twice has got me reeling and I will be even more nervous next time. Any advice?

[Uturn2001]

Try taking a few moments to close your eyes and picture yourself some where that you really like to be that is calm and peaceful. Once you have that pictured set that image in your mind and then when you open your eyes keep that image with you.

[Bring Back Imus]

If it makes you feel any better, you're not alone. My nervousness with an instructor / during testing is my biggest problem. Most of us can do the skills but having an audience makes a big difference. Wish I had an answer that would help you because I'm looking for the same thing.

[Scottt]

I had the same problem the first time I took the test. Totally missed a down shift and stalled the truck for a automatic flunk.

The DOT Officer was a nice lady who tried to calm me before we started. She knew I was nervous from the pretrip.

The second day I had found out from a different student that she mentioned when he was testing she was a Nascar fan.

I am a huge Nascar fan so the second time I tested with her, before I even put the truck in gear I started talking about racing. The test was simple as we talked about Nascar the whole trip. It was like a Sunday drive through town. I got a perfect score.

[worldisnotenough]

When taking the test, imagine the examiner in his/her underwear you will not feel nervous anymore. Hey it worked for Marsha Brady!

[golfhobo]

I failed my state test twice so far. Its not lack of skill, the test is very easy. I should be able to do it blind folded. My problem is, I am so nervous when I take the test....really bad! I am in the truck shaking like a leaf. Everyone says I need to relax, I know this....but how???? Failing twice has got me reeling and I will be even more nervous next time. Any advice?

Wow!! This is a TOUGH one! I was going to suggest the underwear thing, but someone beat me to it!

The Nascar approach has worked for MANY people in many similar situations.

Personally, I have only two suggestions:

ONE is to picture yourself 6 months down the road, in total control of your vehicle, and making money (like the rest of us!) See yourself as the "supertrucker" that we all joke about! If, indeed, you DO know the stuff.... then you are already THERE!!

The SECOND is to give up! I've said many times that trucking is NOT for WUSSES!!! If you're a WUSS.... then you don't need to be driving a truck! IMHO, there are two kinds of drivers.

One who just barely keeps from KILLING someone, because he's so cautious he "micromanages" every step of his journey. These guys usually slip up and hit a light pole or something and end their career!

The OTHER kind of driver is the CONFIDENT one. He KNOWS that if anyone ELSE can do this.... HE can! He is not "reckless," but he is self-assured! He knows when he gets up in the morning, that nothing is BIGGER than HIM.... or his task. He MAY hit something (though I doubt it,) but it won't be for lack of trying!

If I call you a WUSS a few more times, will it make you mad enough at me that you will be "driven" to prove me wrong?? I HOPE so!!

Consider the "tester" as a ride-along! A parent or girlfriend or something! YOU are the one who knows what you are doing, and you are going to SHOW them how good you are at it! Their opinion means SQUAT!! THIS is the way you are gonna drive your truck once free of all this B.S., and THEY are just lucky they got to see you DO IT!!

If, as you say, you KNOW your stuff.... this is the time to show it! It doesn't have to be PERFECT! It just has to be comfortable to YOU! Pretend you are "under dispatch," and this is your 100th load! You've been doing this ALL your life! :wink:

(Seriously... you get more positive points for "correcting" a mistake than you get negative ones for making it!! They are REALLY testing your APTITUDE... not your execution!)

DON'T drink any coffee before your test! The adrenalin will MORE than keep you focused! But, remember.... this is JUST another day in your future life! Have you failed at anything you ever did in your PAST life??

Keep your mind on what YOU are doing.... and FORGET about the tester and any marks he's making on a piece of paper! They are NOT all negative! Many are POSITIVE points for YOU! And, believe it or not.... he/she is on YOUR side!

Now.... are you gonna DO IT??? Or are you gonna WUSS out???

I don't think you can DO it!!! Are you gonna prove me RIGHT or WRONG??? :shock:

[nickbtubas]

take your time and don't be in a hurry.... like you said its a breeze

[got mud?]

I failed my state test twice so far. Its not lack of skill, the test is very easy. I should be able to do it blind folded. My problem is, I am so nervous when I take the test....really bad! I am in the truck shaking like a leaf. Everyone says I need to relax, I know this....but how???? Failing twice has got me reeling and I will be even more nervous next time. Any advice?

dont feel bad took me three tries to nail my test. i did everything perfect but on the driving I would do stupid stuff like hit a curb or pull the shifter out of gear as I stopped. my last test was with an x driver who could tell right away i knew what I was doing but was nervous being tested. he talked to me like we where just two guys on a Sunday drive and I aced the test. my other testers where very quite and I think the silence just made me all that more nervous. my advice take a few minutes and get to know the tester. try to loosen up and then just take him for a ride. just drive the truck. he doesn't expect you to be perfect just safe.

[GMAN]

Just take a couple of shots of whiskey and take the test. JUST KIDDING!! :wink: You have been given some good advise. Something I would add is to tense each part of your body and then relax. Start with your toes and work your way up to the top of your head. Do this as you breath deeply and exhale slowly as you release the tension from your body. By the time you get to the top of your head, you should be relaxed. Good luck.

[NHHunter]

Thanks for the tips everyone, I appreciate it.

You from NH?

[NHHunter]

Yes Steve, I live up in Berlin, worked at the paper mill and lost that job when they closed the mill, then went to the Gilman Paper mill in Vt and lost my job a 2nd time when they closed the doors.




BTW all,I went to Concord, NH today and I passed!!! I was a nervous wreck but I have my CDL-A license

[Bring Back Imus]

Congratulations NHHunter!!!! How did you handle your nerves? I'm supposed to take mine next week and I'm about ready to cancel again.

[ohiomohawk]

DONT GIVE UP

I went to Schneider in July of 06 and was sent home due to poor shifting and bad backing. I then went to a CDL school and had to take my CDL test 3 times before finally passing it. I then returned to Schneider for a 2nd time in Dec and Finally passed I have been with them for 9 months now.

DONT GIVE UP

[NHHunter]

Congratulations NHHunter!!!! How did you handle your nerves? I'm supposed to take mine next week and I'm about ready to cancel again.

My nerves did bite me, no calming me down DOT officer was very nice

[syl77dar]

goodluck

[golfhobo]

Congratulations NHHunter!!!! How did you handle your nerves? I'm supposed to take mine next week and I'm about ready to cancel again.

My nerves did bite me, no calming me down DOT officer was very nice

I think the officer was more than just "nice." I think He/She was astute, and realized, as YOU did, that the nerves were just that!..... nerves! It didn't mean you didn't know your stuff!

Congratulations, Hunter!!!! See.... I KNEW you'd prove me wrong!! :wink:

[worldisnotenough]

Congratulations NHhunter, welcome to trucking!

Golfhobo, when I take up boxing I am going to ask you to be my trainer, so you can remind me how sorry I will be if I don't train harder, and how I will hate myself tomorrow if I give up!

[golfhobo]

Congratulations NHhunter, welcome to trucking!

Golfhobo, when I take up boxing I am going to ask you to be my trainer, so you can remind me how sorry I will be if I don't train harder, and how I will hate myself tomorrow if I give up!

Hey..... you GET what you PAY for!! This is a FREE forum! You want "coddling?" Pay a shrink a c-note or two!

I may be a "romantic," but I believe in Tough Love! You ever hear of the military's version of getting a degree while your in service? It's called "Bootstrap!" Because, sometimes you just have to bend over and pull yourself up by them! :wink:

I've been in both, and the military is harder! But, trucking is not an EASY job! And the lack of confidence can GET PEOPLE KILLED in either one!

Knowledge is POWER, but only confidence leads to survival! I suspect the same applies to boxing! :wink:

CFM likes to blame the high turnover rate in trucking on the conditions, or the industry benefit standards. I say there is a higher probability that it is because too many people think it should be an easy job... if they can drive a car! But, I have NO doubt, that some people just don't have what it takes! There's no CRIME in that! But, let's be REAL!

The ONLY thing that I fear MORE than the "overconfident" BBR on the road, is the milquetoast who hasn't got a CLUE as to the possible dangers of a poor decision, or who "just can't get the hang" of dragging 53' of trailer through traffic.

Others here are quick to dismiss a felon or someone who has made a mistake or two with 'substances' in their lives. My concern is with those who just don't have the confidence to do the job SAFELY!

Now, that doesn't necessarily apply to someone like THIS poster, who claims to know his stuff, but just gets nervous during "testing." There is a big difference! But, I don't really know any other way to find OUT what someone is "made of" than to CHALLENGE them to prove themselves.

Everytime we get behind the wheel, it's a TEST. And EVERY fight as a boxer is a TEST. If you're gonna question your confidence in every fight you enter.... You're gonna have a very SHORT career!

When I was in CDL mill/school, there was a guy a week or two ahead of me who was 5 foot tall if he stretched! He might have weighed 97 pounds soaking wet! The others kidded him about needing to strap blocks of wood on his feet to reach the pedals! :shock: But, this small man had the heart of a LION! And I have NO DOUBT he is still driving today! I have never seen anyone so "pumped" about driving a truck!

There's an old saying: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!"

I apologize if I am sometimes a bit BLUNT.... but, there are just TOO MANY drivers on the road that shouldn't BE THERE, and still others trying to get there without what it takes! Learning the parts of a truck, and even how to back one into a dock, does NOT make a truck driver. MY LIFE (and perhaps that of my family) depends on the ability and confidence of others who drive the big trucks. I hope you'll forgive me if I think it's important that we don't just hand out CDL's like CANDY!!

I probably don't know enough about boxing to be a "coach," but a "trainer?" yeah.... I could do that! I'll know within two or three "sparring matches" whether or not you've got the goods! :wink:

[worldisnotenough]

Hey I actually liked your advice. I was making light of it but you were to the point. And you had passion and heart behind it. Reminded me of a football coach I had once. Also reminded me of a trainer who made the rounds from Tyson to several others in the 80's and 90's. Can't remember his name. Keep up the good work. Maybe I should give you my email and you can yell at me when I am slacking off on my jumping rope. That is the extent of my training right now. And a little dumbell work. Anyway, I still say good going to the new guy! Welcome to the industry. Also welcome to a host of new characters in your life!