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
Category: EPPP Study Tips
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
Think Outside the Box with Your EPPP Study
Imagine you have a piece of paper in front of you.
Now imagine folding that piece of paper in half. Now fold that imaginary paper in half again. Repeat this process 42 times.
This is a thought experiment because in real life you would run out of paper before you could fold a single sheet 42 times. But assuming that you could fold a piece of paper 42 times, guess how high would it be?
Would it be lower or higher than your hand? Would it be as high as your head? Would it be higher or lower than the ceiling of the room you’re in?
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
Gratitude and Your EPPP Prep (Peace of Mind Part 2)
Anxiety and stress are a normal part of any EPPP preparation regime. When preparing to pass the Examination for the Professional Practical of Psychology (EPPP) you not only have to contend with normal test-taking blues, but also the stress that comes with trying to stick to an intensive study regime. Stress can become especially acute when you need to protect your study time from friends and family who may not always understand and who may even feel like you are neglecting them.
I know because I’m a struggling PhD student.
As if that isn’t bad enough, when preparing for the EPPP you may also begin to feel like your value and self-worth are hanging in the balance. For example, when you fail a practice test, you may find yourself thinking “I’ll never make a good psychologist – I’m a worthless person.”
Thankfully you’re not alone with these types of challenges. At TSM we have your back. We not only provide you tools that guarantee EPPP success, but we also provide resources to help you navigate these types of emotional and mental stressors. For example, last September we provided 10 steps for succeeding at the EPPP without ruining your life in the process. In our more recent post on peace of mind we shared 6 steps for keeping a positive mindset no matter what is happening around you…including the stress of EPPP test preparation.
Transform Your Life With Baby Steps
In our last post ‘The Kaisen Way to EPPP Success,’ we talked about ways to overcome the human brain’s resistance to change. Although human beings have a side that loves change, innovation and newness, we also have a side that resists change and always seems to revert back to the status quo. This dynamic constantly creates challenges when it comes to implementing changes in our lives.
While it’s easy to commit to big goals that will introduce important changes in your life, it’s much harder to take the steps necessary towards reaching those goals. It’s not difficult to begin taking steps – the difficulty comes with follow-through over the long-haul. If you’ve ever tried to lose weight, get out of debt, keep a regular exercise routine, learn a new skill, then chances are you know what I mean. No matter how committed you might be to changing something in your life, you always tend to revert back to what you’re used to.
Exercising in Increments with EPPP Study Materials is Good for Long Term Memory
With the warmer weather comes a greater temptation to be outside and postpone going over EPPP study materials. Though the sunshine can be distracting, it can also motivate you to get exercising which in turn can sharpen your cognitive function and therefore be beneficial to studying. Continue reading
The Kaisen Way to EPPP Success
In the world of EPPP test preparation, there’s a familiar story. It goes something like this.
You finished your graduate work, you completed your internship and now you’re all ready to do what you always dreamed of doing—helping people through work as a psychologist. There’s only one problem, you haven’t passed your licensure exam. Compared to the rigors of grad school and the stress of internship, this final hurdle seems comparatively easy. So you order a box of books and other preparation materials that promise to train you for everything you need to know to successfully pass the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) and get licensed.