architect54

My Aunt called me and helped me consider habits to change to improve my studying. Her call was on Sunday. A day after I got pretty worked up from my Dad’s comments. Thankfully her call improved my outlook and helped me remain optimistic. I’ve passed 3, only 4 to go.

The habits that came to light are taking an earlier lunch, getting to work earlier and going to places where I successfully concentrate. I’m going to apply these daily changes and improve my architect registration exam (ARE) review.

First off, taking an earlier lunch. Before I was studying during lunch. Doing vignettes on my laptop or pulling out flashcards. For some reason that’s changed. Adjusting my office schedule and stopping the late lunches may help me take a mental break from my office work and look at some ARE material. During a late lunch, I just want a break. During an earlier lunch, my head might be fresh enough to change its train of thought.

Second change is getting to work earlier. Simple. I’m in earlier, I’m out earlier. I take advantage of the sun. I can stay in the office, go to the library, home or bookstore, all earlier. I can even take a break before studying.

Third change is to go where I concentrate. For now this might turn out to be the library or bookstore. Turns out, studying at work after hours is distracting now. Everyone leaves! Last August/September people were in the office after 5pm and I didn’t feel awkward. I may stay in the office, if I regain a truly consistent work ethic. Home is a last resort option. There are too many distractions there for me.

It has been a day now and I was able to implement two changes, getting in early and taking an early lunch. Errands during lunch and after work, kept me from studying. I will keep implementing the changes and expect to see some improvement in my studies soon.

My Dad said he didn’t see my passion. He couldn’t tell what I was working towards. I was very upset to say the least. I said, “I’m getting my license!”

I then clarified to him, my major focus is putting RA behind my name. Licensure is one of the first thoughts I think about everyday when I wake up and one of my last thoughts before I go to bed. (When will I study today?, and Did I get in enough studying today?)

I was pretty upset. Especially since my studying was off last week and overall my studying hasn’t been as productive as it was for the first two exams. My first 3 months of studying essentially carried me through 3 exams. But that’s it. I failed the next 2 exams and from then on I haven’t taken full advantage of my summer having to reschedule 2 exams.

My Dad has taken the Professional Engineer exam. Having not passed (more than once), he’s put that behind him now. I understand that. He’s proof that there is a “life window” where you can (really need to) put professional matters first. If you don’t use that window, it may get complicated later on for whatever reason. (In my Dad’s case his attitude to licensure has changed.) For some people the window is later on. For me the time is now.

All I took from our “discussion” is I’m doing something wrong, which is not studying enough. With all of that, most of my weekend was still a bust. Luckily I got a call from my Aunt that helped me consider habits to change to improve my studying. I’ll discuss that in my next post. Just be wary of loved ones’ off hand comments. Do your best to let them guide (motivate) you in the right direction.

There is a point when studying gets monotonous, tedious and downright boring. Especially if you don’t know the topic. That’s how I feel. But I’m pushing through.

Structures, structures, structures. That’s what I keep thinking. This time I hope to fully prepare for the exam. I won’t hesitate to reschedule for a third time, though. Passing my next exam is paramount.