I'm freaking out for the SAT, help!

Last weekend... Well that was insanity. AP US History never seems to relent on notes (not that I would expect any different), but along with that I took the SAT for the very first time. Let me tell you, that was the best four hours of my life. Sitting in a wooden desk with silence surrounded by people I didn't know taking a test that 'determines how well you will do in college', therefore grading my knowledge and telling me how useful or worthless I am in society; all this to say my heart was traveling one million miles and I was ready to crawl in the corner and hide. I never would have got through the test if it hadn't been for a few of my friends from school finding me and us hanging out for the half hour before the test in which we stood in the cold. My proctor of the test was nervous, fast moving, and not excited to be up so early on a Saturday morning.

Schedule:
Assigned room/administrator by manager of test by last name
Enter room showing ID and ticket
Essay portion along with one small section (math, writing, or reading)
Break (5 min)
2 sections (writing, reading, or math)
Break
2 sections (writing, reading, or math)
Break
2 sections (writing, reading, or math)
Break
2 sections (writing, reading, or math)
Break
1 final section
Go home and sleep!
(some test administrators only give out three breaks. but we received five)

Even though I was scared out of my mind I would encourage you to take the test once at least, maybe even twice, even if you plan to go to a JC. That may seem silly, but I bet you that taking it will grow you emotionally in a way you never realized it could. The test itself actually brought forth an 'aha moment' where I realized all the people next to me were in the same boat; we were taking that test and each of us was nervous and frightened and ready to leave. We are all growing up and taking those next steps toward college, everyone is lost and confused and new to everything together.

Getting Ready for the SAT:

On the matter of apparel the majority of students were wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, but if you feel that you will do better in dress clothes feel free to wear them. I wore a maxi skirt and a nice top and felt overdressed, but awake. Next time I might stay away from skirts though.

Sleep was a big issue for me and I was particularly upset because I didn't get enough. My mom had late night errands to run and we ended up walking around Buy Buy Baby for an hour after I should have been in bed. I say get as much sleep as possible, I felt like passing out by the sixth section (if you aren't familiar with the test there are ten sections in all).

What to Bring: Student ID or License, printed ticket with correct information, calculator, water, a snack, and a strong enthusiastic personality. Breaks are short, there is no food or water on desks during the test and we cold not leave until break time (at least for my room, the manager of the test said we could have water on the desks, as well as we were allowed to go to the bathroom while the test was in session, yes I see the paradox so I just followed my proctor's directions with a mind of ambiguity)

Overall I honestly was scared ore than I  enjoyed the SAT,but I don't' think that should stop someone from taking the test. If you are just preparing for the test and it is a ways off, take this timeseriously, I wish I had put more than just my weekends into studying. Or, if you are like me and you are freaking out about the test the night before so you have tried to search all types of sites to make sure everything is right, just stop, breath and go to bed. You don't need anything more than I stated above, no social security number, no special random item that is obscure. Just be calm and have faith in your studying.

Good luck with your test and always go back and check your answers if you have time,
Shannon