Are you aware of when your body tells you that it’s stressed out from EPPP study? Perhaps stress has become a normal part of how you function daily, making it more difficult to notice what your body is trying to communicate to you. Though some warning signs of stress can go unnoticed, the damaging effects will not. Continue reading
Author: Graham Taylor
Dr. Graham Taylor received his Doctorate in Psychology from The American School of Professional Psychology after completing his graduate work in Social Work at the University of Hawaii. He resides in Honolulu where he maintains a private practice and devotes himself to assisting doctoral students studying for the EPPP.
Frustration Can Boost Your EPPP Success
Frustration can be enough to make someone give up on their goal of EPPP success. There’s a stigma attached to frustration that says “you’re not smart enough.” We explored this stigma in a previous post, Why Struggle and Frustration Are Good (Study Myths Part 4), by contrasting the American school system with that of the Japanese. “[…] what people in one culture [American] think of as failing, people in other cultures [Japanese] think of as learning.”
Further exploring the idea of frustration leading to success is Tim Harford in his Ted Talk called “How Frustration Can Make Us More Creative.”
Harford touches on the way in which frustration can be discouraging when caused by unideal circumstances but when the unideal circumstance is explored, creativity – and success – flourishes.
Take a look:
Mindfulness for Busy People
In our earlier post ‘Your Smart-Phone May be Harming Your Brain Without You Realizing‘, we shared some research on electronic distractions from Time Magazine’s Special Edition on Mindfulness. However, digital distractions were just one of the many topics covered in this issue. Time also brought together a team of reporters to share research on ways that mindfulness techniques (breathing, meditating, taking control of our hectic brains, etc) can increase our focus, effectiveness and physical health.
Here are a few more nuggets from the Time issue:
Caffeine, Cognitive Function, and the EPPP
If you pair your morning EPPP study session with a cup of coffee, you could be protecting your brain from future harm depending on how much you consume.
Avid coffee and tea drinkers may be familiar with the immediate effects of caffeine such as increased focus and retention, increased alertness, and enhanced mood. Though caffeine should in no way be used as a tool to solve problems that can be fixed by sufficient amounts of sleep and exercise, when used appropriately, caffeine’s short term effects can have a positive impact on your EPPP studies. Despite other opinion on the benefits of decreased coffee consumption altogether, the coffee habit you may have developed could potentially be beneficial for your cognitive function long term. Continue reading
Your Smart-Phone May be Harming Your Brain Without You Realizing
Ever since cell phones first came out, people have been debating whether or not they’re bad for the brain. In a recent Special Edition of Time Magazine devoted to Mindfulness, journalist Markham Heid summarizes a body of research which suggests that the neurological toll exerted by hand-held electronic devices may be even worse than originally supposed.
In fact, electronic devices negatively effect the very areas of our brain needed for effective work, study, thought and memory.
Heid’s article, ‘Are My Devices Messing With My Brain?’ is available to read on Time Magazine’s website, and points out that:
- “switch cost” (the loss of focus when we’re pulled away from a task, even if only for a split second to glance at a message) has an effect on the brain’s ability to focus that lasts up to 15 or 20 minutes.
- Research suggests that the types of multi-tasking we do when we are working or studying in the presence of hand-held electronic devices is associated with a decline in gray matter in the part of the brain involved with thought and emotional control.
- Studies show that hand-held electronic devices bombard the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain involved in willpower and decision-making.
- “…there’s evidence that as your brain becomes accustomed to checking a device every few minutes, it will struggle to stay on task even at those times when it’s not interrupted by digital alerts.”
Heid’s observations were echoed by Mandy Oaklander, who also contributed an article to the Special Edition of Time. Oaklander points out that, “Even if you’re not using it, simply being able to see a cellphone hinders your ability to focus on tough tasks, a pair of 2014 studies found.”
Bottom line: when you need to concentrate on something important, whether its studying for the EPPP or performing a task at work, make sure your smart-phone is in another room and your email is turned off.
Leveraging the Changing Leaves Towards Productivity in your EPPP Study Schedule
Labor Day weekend, a time that marks the end of summer for many, can mean a shift in your daily routine and EPPP study schedule, though fall doesn’t officially begin until September 22nd.
As autumn approaches perhaps new commitments arise that demand a change in your current schedule or perhaps you need a routine altogether after a summer of rest. Whether you are in need of a routine or your current one needs adjusting, autumn approaching can be as good a reason as any to evaluate what’s working, and what’s not, in your daily EPPP study schedule. The changing leaves can mark a fresh start to gear you up for EPPP success. Continue reading
Emotional Intelligence and Your EPPP Score
Emotional intelligence (EQ) could predict a successful EPPP score.
EQ is the measure of a person’s capability to identify and manage his or her emotions as well as the emotions of others. Dr. Travis Bradberry, co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, spoke at the 2016 Global Leadership Summit explaining why EQ is important when it comes to success.
According to Bradberry, EQ be broken down into four parts: Continue reading
Curiosity Killed the EPPP Productivity
Curiosity sent Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole and killed Fluffy the cat. It might have dragged you to web pages far, far away from the EPPP study tips you intended on reading. Curiosity compels us to act without regard outcome. This is either bad or good depending on what curiosity is leading you towards.
Relieving the Stress of EPPP Study
Whether caused by a full schedule or life circumstances, stress can be an unwanted guest at your EPPP study session. There are quick ways to relieve stress that won’t get in the way of the time you have carefully set aside to study.
Psychology Today published 7 Stress Relief Strategies You Can Do in 10 Minutes or Less Here are some highlights of the quick tips author Paula Davis-Laack J.D., M.A.P.P suggests to cope with stress. Continue reading
How Boredom Stands in the Way of EPPP Test Prep Success
Constant lack of motivation or distraction could be a sign that boredom-induced stress has taken over your ability to thrive in EPPP test prep. These signs also point to burnout but, when paired with disengagement or frequent avoidance of your EPPP study materials, it could also mean that it’s time to rediscover the joy of learning.
A classic example of how boredom can override the ability to focus is with elementary aged children. Have you noticed the excitement of a child preparing for his or her first year of school? Learning is associated with discovery and newness. Any hesitation to go to that first year of school is often rooted the fear of being separated from parents. At some point in some children, a shift can be made from excitement towards learning to being unmotivated to complete school work.
Perhaps you have similarly felt disengaged with your EPPP test prep materials or constantly find yourself procrastinating what you have set out to do on your study schedule. Continue reading