Tag Archive for: Studying

Breaking Out of the Procrastination Predicament

According to Oxford Languages, procrastination is defined as “the action of delaying or postponing something”. We like to procrastinate when we’re facing something we don’t want to do (like studying for a board exam). Some might say they’re more productive for other things when they’re procrastinating than any other time. Sort of like, “I could be studying, but look at all this laundry that needs done!” or “This bathroom vent hasn’t been cleaned in probably 3 years, I really need to do it right this second.” (As an aside, do clean that vent if its been that long).

Intersection of procrastination and homework on a Stop sign

That load of laundry or wayward vent or broken this-or-that will eventually turn into about 30 other things you convince yourself are more pressing. Then what do you know, the day is done and you have successfully avoided any prepping or studying. This can become a problem when it forms into a habit. Where does our procrastination come from?

Paltry Priorities

That’s right- sometimes our delaying comes from bad prioritizing. We need to ask, “What is being prioritized?” This is a tough question to ask yourself, but it must be done to get to the root of ones procrastination. We all prioritize our days and tasks to get things done in order of importance. Now, of course certain elements of procrastination can be truly important things, such as cooking and basic cleaning for oneself and basic self-care. But we all know when we cross the line between covering basic needs and dawdling for the sake of avoiding something 🙂

So we have to ask, in terms of our ambitions, how are we prioritizing moving forward towards our goals? Yes, your microwave has never looked cleaner, but is that really aiding you in getting ready to take your PRITE?

Perceived Productivity is Preposterous

Another aspect of procrastination is perceived productivity. Have you ever been playing a video game (instead of studying) and cruised through a whole bunch of objectives, and pull away feeling immensely accomplished? You just covered so much ground in this alternate reality, you deserve a break!–wait.

Sometimes we can find ways to feel like we’ve done a great deal of something when we’ve really done nothing. Now, this isn’t to say video games are always a waste of time because there are definitely times and places for them (or whatever other activity you use). But it’s also important to recognize when we’re using these activities as a crutch to feel “productive” when we’re really just avoiding something we don’t want to do.

Plan Your Path

We all fall victim to procrastination at one point or another. Sometimes it’s even good for us to mentally check out from things we’ve been absorbed in and take a brain break for a bit. But when this becomes a habit, it’s necessary to break the mold and restructure our perspectives. How do we do this? Plan and schedule out times for work and times for play will help this process. When we know we have an enjoyable event coming up, we get a little boost of dopamine in anticipation of it, which can in turn create a more positive experience when we’re doing the hard work of studying.

Try pacing out 20 minutes of study, 10 minutes of break for a few hours and see how much you can get done (for both the studying and the “other stuff”!). At the end of the day, you’ll have gotten through more materials than if you had pushed it off all day, and you probably won’t feel overwhelmed by it because you gave yourself chances to clear a level of Candy Crush, or fold a load of laundry, or sort you bookshelf in between.

And for some inspiration to get you going, give our question banks a try- FREE- using our Free Trial! Or if you’re ready to take the plunge, check out our Question Banks and find the perfect fit for you! Or, contact us with any questions you have so we can get you on the right path today!

Failure is a Fearsome Thing. Here’s How to Combat It.

Didn’t make the score you hoped? While it sure feels like a failure, here’s why it isn’t the end of your journey.

Man holding sign that says "failure"

Failure Does Not Define You!

When you spend so much time (and money!) preparing for a big test, failing can feel like a literal slap in the face. Picture this: you’ve been studying like crazy, going through exam prep books, watching lectures, taking practice exams, and the week of your test you get a cold. Then your car breaks down. And it’s finals week. You do your best, but still come out short of what you were aiming for.

Quitting time? Sure feels like it. You probably feel like an imposter, like anyone else “would have” done better (when in reality, a healthy and non-distracted you would have done better, too!). You start to second guess if you should even be trying to do this field, or if you should opt for something different. This is the time to take a step back.

Did that short score feel like a punch in the gut? Absolutely. Does it mean you are a failure in everything you do? Of course not! Take a minute and think of all the amazing accomplishments you’ve made to get this far. Whether that be post-secondary education, publications, presentations, or any of the other hundred or so responsibilities you’ve smashed in the last few years. You. Are. Doing. A. Great. Job.

Who, Me?

Yes, you! Some days we will fall short and that is terrifying. But it also should be inspiring when you look back and see how far you’ve come from where you started. It is too easy to get wrapped up in all the prepping and studying that our very identities become enmeshed in the outcome of something like a psychiatry board exam. While they are important and definitely will be a requirement to pursue this field, sometimes it’s worth stepping back and remembering who YOU are is more than the number that test will spit out.

We all need this at times. Even when the board exams are behind you, different things will crop up in your career that will leave you reeling and questioning everything. No one is perfect, and no one can predict what life will throw at you. All you can do is evaluate the situation at hand and….

And… And What??

Study, work hard, and do your best! After you’ve taken your day or two to breathe, dive right back in. Is that first score a disappointment? Yep. But that score does not mean YOU are a disappointment. It means you get another opportunity to give it your best shot and come in swinging. You can also check out our previous blog on what to do after you’ve failed an exam for more direction on where to go next!

Maybe give a question bank a shot 😉 (see our free trial here!)

Preparing for your Board Exams: How to make the MOST of your time!

Life can be incredibly hectic AND it can be seemingly impossible to fit in studying for your Board Exams but with the right planning & priorities, anything is possible.

Think of it in straightforward terms…Each day we’re 86,400 seconds the same as before, and the same as the subsequent day. But as you add tasks, activities, and other daily necessities that number shrinks and it can feel like there’s no time left to study or even eat (oof).

“So what do I do?!” you may question.

Well, it’s simple, zoom out and take a glance at your days and weeks ahead. What do you have planned that’s truly paramount? Well, we know at base level eating and studying are essential, one you need to live, and the other you need to pass your Board Exams.

What else is paramount & essential?

  • Is it taking the proper amount of time or is it a waste?
  • Can you be doing some of the essential tasks together OR around the same time so you make the most of your downtime? 
  • What’s NOT paramount? (That’s the most important question you need to ask yourself.)

Your time comes down to prioritizing your days. While at first sitting down and laying it all out can seem like just another task added to your already packed day but if you sit and plan it once, you’re going to end up being less stressed when it comes down to it. Then, when you’re studying and feeling stressed change your mindset!

*REMEMBER: As you study and go through each question remember that for every second spent studying you are one step closer to being fully prepared AND one step closer to passing your Board Exams.

So the takeaway?

Prioritize your days & get your mind right! Plan plan plan… create a plan, and attack it! Next thing you know you’ll be in the groove and ready to pass your Board Exams with ease, and hey, we’re here every step of the way to help YOU!

Ready to dive in? Utilize our expert-curated Question Banks and maximize your studying today! 

Need more guidance? 

Contact us today! We’ll help YOU pass your Boards with ease!

DID YOU KNOW: The USMLE Exam is Pass/Fail. Here’s what’s changed!

When taking the USMLE Exam you will receive a pass/fail result instead of the previous “3-digit score”. Did you know that…? If not.. well…now you do!

So what’s changed?

Well, honestly nothing besides the score… This shouldn’t change how you’re currently preparing or taking the test so prepare for the USMLE Step 1 as you would if it was still a numerical score. The exam isn’t easy and asks you to apply scientific information to novel situations.

To prepare just take it step by STEP (pun intended…). Keep your anxiety low by figuring out the most effective study strategies that work best for you. Once you find your ideal strategy, you can focus only on learning instead of saying… “Oh no…. I have to learn this, I have to do that, oh my!”. Don’t worry about what COULD be and focus on the perfect strategy you’ve put into place.

Finally, remember you’re more than just a number or a test score so don’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Residency programs are now going to take into account much more than a “Step 1 Score”. Pull together a letter of recommendation, evals, clinical exams, your service, research, and anything else that may show them why you stand out from the crowd. Be you, but be prepared.

You got this! —

If you’re ready to have help in passing your USMLE head over to exams.mypsychboard.com to try our free question banks OR schedule a call with one of our experts. We can help build YOU a custom studying plan tailored to your needs.

Let’s work together and pass your USMLE Exam! 

Need additonal help or tutoring? Contact us today! We’ll help YOU pass your Boards with ease!

How to create study habits that are long lasting!

Your study habits can make or break your success in school.

If you’re already struggling with how to create long-lasting study habits, have no fear… you’re not alone! May students go through the same issues as you.

The solution for long-lasting study habits is straightforward!

First, find a place to study regularly, consistency is key!

You might find that having a set time and place in which you study helps keep your motivation high as well. Even if you’re a procrastinator and tend to put it off until the last minute, finding a place that’s comfortable for you will make all the difference.

Next up: keep track of deadlines and important dates. If you know what’s coming up then you can plan accordingly and make sure not to procrastinate!

Once you’ve got those two things squared away, you’ll want to start thinking about how you study best. — Maybe it’s listening to music while reading; maybe it’s taking notes on index cards; maybe it’s something else entirely! Whatever works for you is great! Just remember: what works for someone else might not work for you.

After all your base preparation, don’t stuff & cram for your exams!

Instead, just relax and get ready for what’s ahead by practicing some relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. You’ll be surprised how effective these methods can be at helping calm down before big tests or projects!

Once you’re relaxed and have taken time for your mental health jump back into it! Throughout the weeks set aside time to quiz yourself with appropriate materials or question banks to ensure you’re retaining the information!

Still, feeling uneasy or overwhelmed? Contact us and we can help YOU pass your boards with ease!

Online Psychiatric Exam Prep and Tutoring: AVAILABLE NOW

Get ahead this school year with some extra help tailored to your exam needs.⁠

We offer test preparation and tutoring services for the ABPNPRITEUSMLE, and Nurse Practitioner Exams. You can gain access to topics such as:⁠

• Anxiety Disorders⁠

• Bipolar Disorders⁠

• Neurocognitive Disorders⁠

• Personality Disorders⁠

• Neurology⁠

• Psychopharmacology⁠

 & Much more!

So what’s all the fanfare about our exam prep?

Our approach offers access to unique questions and courses that prepare medical students and residents for their certifying exams. With our variety of test modes, multiple-choice questions, and vignettes you’ll finish our sessions feeling more comfortable and confident on your road to the exams!⁠

This program offers access to unique courses and question banks to prepare residents and medical students for their certifying exams. Each question is specifically tailored to the required difficulty and type of questions expected for their respective examination. New questions are continually being added to the question banks, ensuring the most current and up-to-date information is being made available. Individualized tutoring is offered to maximize user support; we meet with you to discuss your studying strategies, identify your goals, and target the area of study in which you need the most improvement. Finally, a tailored study plan is created to help you achieve your goals!⁠

Who is My Psych Board?

Prepare to pass your board exams with ease! My Psych Board offers access to four question banks, each uniquely tailored to the studying needs of those preparing to take the ABPN Certification Examination, PRITE Examination, USMLE – Psychiatry and Neurology categories, and Nurse Practitioner Examination.

Within our customer service, we strive to provide you with the tools necessary to overcome any of your questions and obstacles that may get in your way. From general information, tutor calls, and just being someone to talk you through the challenging times of taking your board exams; we’re here for you!

For more information or to get started, please call (216) 293-0282, email admin1@westlakebrainhealth.com, or head to our contact page here

Studying Tips Broken Down: Set yourself up for success!

Time to get back to studying… wow… it seems like just yesterday the summer was just kicking off!

Now it’s time to head back to school, so naturally, we’ve received some DMs asking “How can I make the most of the upcoming school year?”.

Going back to school can seem like an overwhelming time and it can be, but we’ve put together a few studying tips that should help you excel in your learning.

Our Top Five Tips!

1️⃣ Get Organized…

Get all your study materials together, ensure you know your new schedule, and plan your time properly. Take a look at each class; What do you need? What do you already have?

2️⃣ Be Active In Your Learning.

Don’t just follow your current curriculum. Seek out other experiences and knowledge whether you’re in a group studying, participating in volunteer labs/programs/research groups, and much more. You can gain more knowledge and experience this way!

3️⃣ Study, Study, Study — but with others!

Studying with others can improve your memory recall, provide other points of view, and give you a great trusted group whom you can make memories with outside of just staying. Since you’re all going through the same experiences together it can help ease the stress. You could even utilize various question banks and tools to make the most of the study sessions!

4️⃣ Use Your Time Wisely

Just because others are going out every night doesn’t mean you need to… you can still have a solid social life AND go to school. Write down and prioritize everything you need to do. Ensure you have built a solid routine, and get what you need to do, but also make sure you are taking time to have fun too (which brings us to our next section.)

5️⃣ Take Care Of Your Mental Health!!!

This is last but certainly NOT least. We’ve said it before and we will keep saying it. Take care of yourself and your mental health. You need to ensure you aren’t pushing yourself too far. Find things and activities which help you relax. School is not forever so take everything one step at a time. Use your support group/study group we mentioned in point 3.

Need some additional tips or a tutor? Contact us today!

Who is My Psych Board?

My Psych Board is a board review website created by Dr. Abdel, MD, MBB. CH., founder and CEO of Westlake Brain Health clinic in Cleveland, OH. This program offers access to unique courses and question banks to prepare residents and medical students for the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Psychiatry Certification Exam, Psychiatry Resident In-Training Examination, United States Medical Licensing board examination, and Nurse Practitioner examination. Each question bank is specifically tailored to the required difficulty and type of questions expected for the different board exams. New questions are continually being added to the question banks, ensuring the most current and up-to-date information is being made available.

My Psych Board is created by experts in the field and covers all the topics you need to master in order to pass your board-certifying exams. Feedback is given immediately in Practice Mode as questions are answered, including in-depth explanations that accompany each question for both correct and incorrect answer options. Additionally, students have the option of accessing a one-time phone call with Dr. Abdel to discuss their best studying strategies and one-on-one tutoring to help them gain maximum preparation. My Psych Board is customer oriented; we take your feedback seriously and are always looking for ways to improve the user experience! 

How to make studying enjoyable (even in the summer!)

How to make studying enjoyable (even in the summer!)

Earlier this week we were asked by Melissa –⁠

“I know I should keep studying because I’ve been putting in so much work this year but since we are in the middle of the summer it’s getting hard to do everything. I’m putting all my time into working on prep and studies, but I want to be able to still hang out with my friends. Then on the alternate side, I will go by weeks without studying because I feel I covered enough…what can I do? Is it even possible to enjoy my summer at all?”⁠

☀️Well.. thanks for the question, Melissa. The short answer is YES you can enjoy your summer & ensure you’re studying efficiently. Taking advantage of your summer break can make all the difference so let’s dive into our top 5 essential tips!⁠

➡️ FIND BALANCE⁠

Ensure you’re not overloading yourself. You should split your time between enjoying the summer, time with friends/family, & studying. It will help you feel more refreshed & focused. If you focus on studying too much…you’re going to reach the ceiling & not take on additional information.⁠

➡️ CREATE A PLAN⁠

This can be done in any number of ways from writing a schedule, making to-do lists, setting deadlines, prioritizing your work, & so much more! We’ve said it before, everyone’s studying routine varies so find what works for YOU! Once your plane is in place follow it to a T!⁠

➡️ CHANGE UP YOUR STUDYING LOCATION⁠

Now, this MAY not work for everyone but it’s worth giving it a try. The weather is beautiful so why not try going outside? A change in scenery could help you stay more focused. But, if you notice it’s slowing you down, it might be time for you to change up that location too.⁠

➡️ KEEP A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE⁠

The saying goes “30 Days should be long enough to help you create a new habit.” We’ve found that since you’ve already somewhat tuned yourself to studying before the summer it may be easier to pick it back up.⁠

➡️ REWARD YOURSELF!!!⁠

It’s summer after all… so get yourself a treat or do something nice for yourself. If you have something to look forward to at the end of each study session it will help motivate you!

Are you ready? Let’s jump in. Brush up on your knowledge with a FREE trial of our Question Banks. Featuring Q-Banks for the ABPN, USMLE, Nurse Practitioner, and PRITE Exams!

Feeling like you need a bit of extra help? Contact us OR sign up for our tutoring!

Our Top Tips: How to Survive Your Psychiatric Residency!

Our Top Tips - How to Survive Your Psychiatric Residency!

Ok, hear us out for a minute…⁠ Surviving your residency is easier than you think.⁠ ⁠ 

YES, of course, that’s a loaded statement… NO, we aren’t saying it’s not incredibly challenging (because it is…) but we promise you’re overthinking it. You CAN do this. You may have heard horror stories or that it was the worst moment of someone’s life but let’s be real. 

It shouldn’t be.⁠

 Thousands before you have done it and thousands after you will do it too.

How you handle it makes all the difference in what you’ll get out of your residency.⁠ Here are 5 TIPS on how to survive:

#1 HAVE A POSITIVE MINDSET…

Before you begin anything, you should always go in with the correct mindset. If you think things are going to be horrible…then they will be! But if you go in understanding that there will be both highs and lows, you’ll be better prepared to face them.

#2 HAVE A GREAT SUPPORT SYSTEM…

This goes with most things in life. The company you keep will help get you through hard moments. That’s what friends are for. But this support system should also be those around you too! Other residents know what you’re going through, so be sure to include them. It helps so much! ⁠

#3 DON’T NEGLECT YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH…

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: Take care of your mind AND body! Don’t bottle things up, talk to your support system, and get further help if you need it. It’s a challenging time. Outside of this, being active works WONDERS. Your body will thank you.

#4 IT’S OK TO SAY “I DON’T KNOW” (DO IT MORE!)…

You don’t know everything (that’s why you’re here). Don’t be a “know it all”, it can come back to hurt you. If you’re asked something and you’re really unsure, say that! Saying I don’t know will help you get the answers you need. Don’t feel silly. You’re learning!

#5 IT GETS BETTER…

It will get better!!! The start can be overwhelming and a lot to take in, but use that support system. Once you get in the groove, you’ll start to feel much more relaxed. Give it time. It’s long, draining, and emotional but there are perks. They may not last long but the amount of information and experiences you’ll take away from it, in the end, is all worth it. 

You got this, you can survive… you can thrive! ⁠

Still, feeling overwhelmed?

Contact us and let’s talk through it together.