Nerves When Being Tested By People And Over The Age Of 17?

[LeslieAnneSmith]

I have always been quizzed by family members or family friends and I would always get nervous and either answer the question wrong because of my nerves or answer the math question correctly after a few errors or I just end up sounded completely stupid. I m 21 now and because people say I look younger for my age, I think that is why I am still asked these questions. Recently my manager asked me a simple math question. SIMPLE! I was going on break and asked when she wanted me to return. She said come back in thirty minutes. Then she asked me what will the time be in 30 minutes. Now, I am average at math and of course I know that I have to add the minutes together in order to get the answers, but stupid me always gets all nervous and jittery even after all of these years and I literally started to answer the problem all wrong! It was so embarrassing to say the least. I have to go back to work tomorrow and I don t know if I can go back without feeling like a complete idiot. Does anyone have the same " I get nervous when tested out of nowhere" feelings and how do you handle them? Am I just crazy? I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[jim360]

Please don't apologise for misinterpreting a post that wasn't entirely clear to begin with! At any rate, misunderstanding cleared up...

Hope that pauses before answering do help, anyway, and don't beat yourself up for struggling with what should be easy if you're under pressure. It happens to all of us (also, I appreciate that advice to "not beat yourself up" is often less than helpful, because it's obvious but also notoriously difficult to avoid for some people, but it's worth trying to remember all the same I find.)

[LeslieAnneSmith]

@albaqwerty That is very difficult and you're right. I think if I look at the questions as just a conversation, I may not get as nervous. Yes, I believe I am confident in other ways. I think the ability to speak to others without being jittery and controlling my nerves is what I need to work on I guess.

[ummmm]

Leslie - I forgot how to spell my surname once when put on the spot...It only lasted a few seconds but seemed much longer. So you're definitely not alone :-)

[albaqwerty]

Leslie, you're young xx
(we all were at some point lol)

Please keep us up-dated about how things are going over the next few months.

There will be someone around to offer encouragement/advice on here.

You say you're a cashier, then that means you ARE confident !! xx

[albaqwerty]

ummm, I hailed a taxi once and couldn't remember my address.
stone cold sober I hasten to add.

[LeslieAnneSmith]

Thank you all again! I really do appreciate all of your advice. It has helped so much! May you all have a wonderful day!! (: