Failing skating test and staying motivated

[kinari]

Hi guys. I've been working on my novice MITF since September 2024, so more than a year by now. I tested for the first time virtually in early October, and I got the results back: 0, -6, -7. I was really proud of my moves but the judges comments are really brutal, and I had already started working on my junior moves already. My coach and I are so sick of working on novice together, but I don't know how to stay motivated anymore. I understand that novice moves is one of the more harder tests to pass, but I'm just really scared that I'm going to fail this test again, and again, and again...I don't want to have to retake it 5 times before I pass because I'm so close to senior.

Does anyone have any tips of staying motivated after you fail a skate test, or any mental health advice that could be given? I'm incredibly disappointed in myself because I haven't really been working on anything but moves in the field since starting this test.

 

[Diana Delafield]

Hi guys. I've been working on my novice MITF since September 2024, so more than a year by now. I tested for the first time virtually in early October, and I got the results back: 0, -6, -7. I was really proud of my moves but the judges comments are really brutal, and I had already started working on my junior moves already. My coach and I are so sick of working on novice together, but I don't know how to stay motivated anymore. I understand that novice moves is one of the more harder tests to pass, but I'm just really scared that I'm going to fail this test again, and again, and again...I don't want to have to retake it 5 times before I pass because I'm so close to senior.

Does anyone have any tips of staying motivated after you fail a skate test, or any mental health advice that could be given? I'm incredibly disappointed in myself because I haven't really been working on anything but moves in the field since starting this test.

Are you in private lessons or group? If you're having private lessons, is there really any need to take tests at all, given that it sounds as if your coach is on your side? What's to prevent her/him just continuing to teach you more advanced moves as you progress, as long as you're safely ready for them? Some people are just better practice skaters and never do themselves justice in tests and competitions. If you're allowed to just take gradually advancing lessons without being judged by an outside panel, why add that stress level to your life. If you wanted, when you had mastered the junior moves or beyond, you could try the novice test again and probably find it so easy you'd pass in a breeze.

(Note: I'm in Canada and don't know which country's learning and testing stream you're in, so maybe my suggestion isn't possible, for some reason.)

 

[midori green]

Things probably have changed since my experience in the 90s, but I remember most people taking multiple attempts to pass Novice moves (I have in my head most took 3).

Talk with your coach about the judges' comments and why they were not what you expected. If you're feeling burnt out on Novice, though, take a break for awhile. It's understandable to be frustrated and disapointed. Come up with a plan with your coach to let you recover mentally/emotionally while still building your skills. Maybe work just on Junior for awhile. Go back and do some Intermediate. Learn a little Senior for a fun preview. It's not going to hurt, and it might help your Novice moves. Then, refocus on testing Novice when it feels like a renewed challenge instead of a drain. Once you conquer your Novice test, the Junior and Senior ones will hopefully come quickly. I don't know you, but I'm rooting for you now.

 

[sonitaskates!]

Hi guys. I've been working on my novice MITF since September 2024, so more than a year by now. I tested for the first time virtually in early October, and I got the results back: 0, -6, -7. I was really proud of my moves but the judges comments are really brutal, and I had already started working on my junior moves already. My coach and I are so sick of working on novice together, but I don't know how to stay motivated anymore. I understand that novice moves is one of the more harder tests to pass, but I'm just really scared that I'm going to fail this test again, and again, and again...I don't want to have to retake it 5 times before I pass because I'm so close to senior.

Does anyone have any tips of staying motivated after you fail a skate test, or any mental health advice that could be given? I'm incredibly disappointed in myself because I haven't really been working on anything but moves in the field since starting this test.

hi!! im sorry, but I dont have any advice , but I wanted to let u know youre not alone! mental health in figure skating is such a struggle that I have aswell, i wish it was talked about more! I wish you luck on your novice MIF! you got this!