Two weeks ago we began exploring how to find motivation when it is lacking. We revisited and expanded on Dan Gilbert’s equation for expectation and value and discussed ways to find out what is blocking our much needed motivation to study for the EPPP.
Once you find out what is blocking your motivation, you can take a step further to assess the cause of your lack of motivation. This step can leave you motivated to move forward with EPPP test prep. Continue reading
Earlier posts in this series on procrastination looked at statistics showing that the greater a gap between when a person graduates and when they sit for the EPPP, the more likely it is they will get a bad score or fail altogether.
But if procrastinating on EPPP prep diminishes the likelihood of success, in addition to causing a delay in career plans, why do we do it? Why do so many people put off preparing for the EPPP, thus causing themselves more stress in the long run?
Until recently, the answer to this question was shrouded in mystery. At least as far back as the ancient Greeks, people knew that procrastination was a problem, but they didn’t know why some people seem prone to this weakness while others don’t. But after a long delay (no irony intended) scientists are finally beginning to understand the science behind procrastination. Continue reading
Even when you want to get something done, motivation can be hard to come by. No matter how much you might want that passing EPPP score, completing what is on your study schedule just doesn’t sound appealing sometimes. The good news is that when motivation is lacking there are ways to get it back. Continue reading
The Invasion of the Negative
It’s common to hear people complain that they are weighed down by negative thoughts or depressive mood-states. This can be especially true for individuals in high stress situations, including students preparing for exams or EPPP candidates trying to qualify for licensure.
But even when we don’t have stressful life circumstances weighing in on us, many people still find themselves dragged down by a barrage of negative thoughts that seem to take on a life of their own. This has become such a problem that many practitioners in the medical community are concerned about the health effects of toxic thoughts.
Although historical evidence shows that people have always struggled with toxic thinking, the phenomenon of negative mental chatter seems to be growing worse with each passing year. Evidence also suggests that Westerners are increasingly less happy, grateful and content than those in less developed nations, even though we live in one of the wealthiest cultures ever to have existed.
Most, if not all, of us would agree that success in studying for the EPPP means getting a passing score. This outcome, however, is not instantly gratifying in that it requires dedicated hours of study. When it comes to studying, we experience what is called delayed gratification. This concept is the springboard for the three reasons I have found to be at the root of unsuccessful ventures in studying for the EPPP. Continue reading
This week we wanted to share some videos that show ordinary people making themselves smarter through following the right techniques. At TSM we have always maintained that the ability to master material, as well as qualities like intelligence and memory, are skills we develop through practicing right things repeatedly and not innate gifts that a person either has or doesn’t have (see our earlier posts here and here and here.)
Many ordinary people are now proving that this is true in some amazing ways. Here are three videos that all revolve around the theme that we can actually rewire our brains to become smarter through following certain ancient and modern techniques of memory and learning.
The beginning of this month marked a new year and, therefore, a fresh start at keeping the promises we make to ourselves. We gave you some tips on keeping your New Year’s resolution of EPPP test prep success in Keeping Your New Year’s Resolution: Getting off to a good start in EPPP test prep in 2016. To follow up, I want to point you to some of the psychology behind why New Year’s resolutions are known for failure and how to combat that failure. Continue reading
Someone recently asked me to comment on some of the budget EPPP prep materials people can buy off Amazon and which are currently being advertised through Google. Some of these resources promise students everything they’ll need for successfully passing the EPPP. This seems to be an inexpensive way for busy candidates to quickly bring themselves up to scratch on EPPP preparations.
I know that some people reading this post may have already wasted months using these resources in the hope of becoming better prepared for the EPPP, only to find that they are no nearer their goal than when they started.
Why is this? Why are students finding that the EPPP books on Amazon let them down and bring them no closer to their goal of becoming a licensed psychologist?
Failure creates a strong sense of doubt in our abilities and leaves us feeling like we are not good enough. Whether you were unsuccessful in a practice exam or the actual EPPP, failing after hours dedicated to study can leave you less than motivated to try again. Failing discourages us from pressing forward because it leaves us afraid of more failure. It makes us believe that only someone innately brilliant can succeed. The belief that the EPPP is only for people who are naturally smart is popular but completely false. You do not have to be a genius to pass the EPPP. Continue reading
If you’re an aspiring psychologist who has finished your internship yet remains unclear what to do next, you’re not alone.
Learning to navigate the bumpy road from internship to postdoc to licensure is something that many people find challenging. In an article for the American Psychological Association, Tori DeAngelis’ described summed up the basic difficulty:
“Grad school is no easy street, but it is a fairly comprehensible and predictable process, at least until you finish your internship. From postdoc to license, though, the path is less clear: There is no system to guide you, and the rules are complex and varied. Your state’s licensing procedures might bewilder you, for example. Or your postdoctoral training might not offer the experience you need for licensure.”
Thankfully, guidance is available for this confusing process. To provide some guideposts for would-be psychologists, DeAngelis offers 11 steps to help simplify what could otherwise be a confusing road. His article ‘After the Internship‘ is a must-read for anyone who is approaching the end of their internship.
Further Reading