BLEPP : Psychometrician Review Era

 Dear Universe,

I always been wanting to become a doctor — the main reason why I took a pre-med course. It is just it took me four years after graduating high school to figure out what I wanted.

Due to time constraints and my unwell financial status, I took Psychology, BA in Psychology in JRU, Mandaluyong City. After graduating in 2024, I am now on my way in becoming a licensed psychometrician. ( Manifesting that I passed! )

I learned in a different way — I learned most of the application before the theories, as I work in a clinical setting. Reviewing for the board exams helps me a lot in understanding more of the "how" and "why" as I see the basic questions in the theories.

Is working in a clinical setting a leverage in acing the board exam drills? My answer is no. With my bipolar disorder in place, I always find it hard to adhere in my schedules, to attend my classes and to concentrate reviewing. I won't deny that being in a clinical setting helped me a lot in grasping mostly how things are applied and done, but skipping the basics are not really a good thing.

Things changed that mom got sick. She had been bedriddened for a while now and I was taking care of her. I would sleep at 3am and woke up at 7:30 am to help around the house, to prepare her food and bath before I could study. With the physical wary, it's hard to study even more.

So how I cope up with my challenges?

1. Calendar and To-do list.

I still organize my lessons and write my to-do list. Even though, I'm guilty that I can't attend to everything in my calendar for a day, I still create one. This helps me sort the lessons that I need to study according to their importance and level of stress, and days it requires to finish one theory or concept. It gives me sense of diligence and urgency even though I'm always cramming.

2. Well-organized notes. 

I have a lot of notebooks, which I all use in studying. I have a notebook for lectures, note-taking from books, file for answered drills and drive from online reviewers. These help me to go back to what concept or theory I would like to check on easily knowing that I categorized my files according to how I obtained them. 

I also use highlighters and different inked pens to put stress on valuable info or keywords that will help me easily remember them.

3. Food I eat / Small treats

I have type 2 diabetes. This limits me to the food that I can eat, but eating helps me fight drowsiness and keep me motivated to stay focused and review. Study shows that using your senses while studying is veru much effective. I eat mostly fruits — cucumber, apples, grapes, pomelo and lettuce with a salad dressing, quaker oats, chips and nuts, sandwiches, coffee and 1.5 liters of carbonated drink.

I never deprived myself for wanting something that continue my motivation in studying. Yeah, it is very costful, and impulsive — because I'm a bipolar ( I bought a Samsung S Series tablet last month, and barely using it because I got envy from study vlogs that I watched ), but a little reward is really helpful to always remind you of your hardwork is appreciated. 

4. Sleep and Restdays

Sleep is my reward, but I don't overdo it. If I feel I am sleepy, I take a pause and lie down on my bed. This helps my brain to have its rest and reset while I load big chunks of information in it. It's very refreshing, too.

5. Have a study corner

I experienced reviewing on my bed, which is not so productive, as my body is more inspired to sleep and scroll on social media than on my lessons and studying in cafes are expensive and not all are student-friendly, so I decided to have a study corner at home. It helps me to be more productive. I can juggle lessons with being sleepy, and I got to focused more doing note taking and answering drills. When you create an environment for studying, the productivity resonates, making you to accomplish more things.

6. Have a study date with friends / Have circles that supports you

Studying with friends boost the confidence that you are actually learning and on track with the lessons and stuff. It is nice to have a chitchat while studying with a friend, online or face-to-face, making the studying more bearable and understandable. There accomolishments in studying is very inspiring that will make you strive harder and smarter on doing your own review. Asking questions is easier with a friend, too. ( And sometimes who wakes you up when you dozed off :) )

These may not be the same for some, but thess help me to get through. Now that the BE is just a month away, and I'm literally cramming — I know that I am able to manifest a passing spirit. Yes, I'm scared, sad, confused, nervous but never hungry and alone. And always pray to pass, as I believe that if you do your best, God will do the rest!

See you in the board exams, everyone!

Love,

Zoey ♡