My Quest to Conquer the EPPP & Secure a Jobby Job: October 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Yea Boi!

I passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like doing a silly dance, and running around crazy, and laughing hysterically. I am giving all my positive vibes to MH and EB, who are just a week away from killing it on the EPPP. For my own experience, I'll leave it to these guys to show you how silly it is. If I had more time, I would make a psychology version.

Now, it's time to focus more on the other things that are helping to secure a jobby job. Including the state exam, for which I just got an fatty envelope of materials that I don't plan on touching for a couple weeks. Last I checked, I have three applications in, two more due this upcoming week, and one that I might actually be qualified for. In a few I will post some of my resources for jobby jobs, just to keep it interesting.

For now, I'm just savoring the moment!

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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Doneski...I hope.

This morning I took the EPPP. It's a mixture of relief and worry and exhaustion and craziness, but it's done.

I'm not gonna lie, I thought it was challenging, but I didn't feel like I bombed it. There were a lot of questions that were extensions and novel applications of the content in the materials. I would say the retired questions and the last Psych Prep test (E) that I took were the most like the real thing as far as the challenge. But, I will be much smarter, and far more accurate in a predictor-criterion way after I find out how I did on the real thing.

Now, I'm focusing my energy on the jobby job applications that are looming. Then, November comes and I will hopefully take the Oregon jurisprudence exam. FYI, for those of you this applies to ever, the Oregon exam is only offered once a month and you need 30 days notification (always tied to when you give them the money;) to take it so PLAN WELL!

I'm not going to hold my breath for the next two weeks, but I guarantee I will feel all the emotions on the this here chart.

P.S. Had a good debrief with MH and EB via skype conference call and it was a good one. They are up at the end of the month and then we will all be done! I highly recommend doing this with some friends cause it's hard to tackle all on your own without anyone to bounce things off of here and there. Thanks to them for all the support and now it's my turn to be encouraging!

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Sunday, October 9, 2011

Pharm Game

One of the areas that we have found challenging is keeping all those drugs and their side effects straight. Which ones are anticholinergic, which ones aren't? (I think SSRI's is the right answer to the last one, btw). And, don't forget to remember the brain structures and neurotransmitters.

I have found a few resources that are my go-to ones these days. One is from the Exchange--I really like this set of flashcards. It goes fairly quick, it covers key areas, and the questions are on target (e.g., Side effects of these drugs include drowsiness, lethargy, slurred speech, and impaired psychomotor ability---Benzos).

The other resource I like is a neuroanatomy type outline from the EPPP Yahoo group files. It's a nice reference and something that you can print out on the front and back of a paper and carry around if you must (NERD ALERT).

Balloon Art Anatomy

In my last hours of studying, these are quick and dirty resources that keep me sharp. Cause who doesn't want to think about the side effects of lithium, or which drug is associated with agranylocytosis?? (P.S. atypical antipsychotics)

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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

It's Gettin' Better All the Time

I have to admit...it's getting so much better. While I didn't do some of the things the guy in the Beatles song did, it applies to my EPPP situation.

I done got my notifcation and registration ID and I'm set to take the test in less than a week, people! This is my lesson to everyone that being persistent and asking questions pays off. The supposed letter, which never did come from Oregon, was just a formality and I didn't even need it. All I had to do was let them know (via email will do) that I wanted to sit for it and they would register me. If I had sat around and waited for the letter, I would not be able to take the test before the 15th cutoff. It pays to be a little persistent.

Now to the scary part. Oh holy Lord I have to take this test in 5 days!

Plan:
1. Take 3-4 practice tests all together. Including the retired ASPPB questions that I keep hearing are so awesome. (Side note: ASPPB doesn't have them available--new or old--anymore, so get old ones. Find 'em on the EPPP Yahoo for sale or from friends/colleagues if you want them).

2. Review key areas from the flashcards on the Exchange. Clinical, Dx, Development, L&B, Ethics, I/O

3. Look over psychopharm charts to see if I can make some differentiations.

4. Look over past failed items, either on the Exchange, or from my old practice tests.

5. Don't panic, eat healthy, exercise, relax, do something fun every day.

Okay people, it's really here, and here is my proof!

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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Let's get it on

There is a letter slowly-very, very slowly-making it's way to me from the board of psychology in Oregon. It says I can take the test. I hope it comes soon, cause I'm starting to think anything that can go wrong will. Anyhow, this brings me to an issue that we will all face, if we get to take the test.

Scheduling.

My good friend EB, has tipped me off that you can look at the availability of a testing time/seat at anytime, at the Prometric website. You just have to click on "Schedule your test" and it will ask you to pick a state and then put in your zip and it will give you a list of all of the testing sites in your area. Choose your site, and then look at the availability calendar and there you have it. My first date available is on Monday, October 10th. Yikes. I would like it to be next week though, so please let the mail gods be smiling on me so I can get it and get a spot before the 15th!

That reminds me, you all know that Prometric releases your test for scoring at only two times in the month...the 15th and the end (30th, 31st, 28th on a leap year). So, you may want to keep that in mind when scheduling your test because waiting for 1-2 weeks just to get your test released for scoring may add some unnecessary wait time/anxiety.

Let's all just click our heals and say, "there's no place like my mail box" and my letter may just show up. I'm not above magical thinking at this point, even though I think I'm beyond preoperational thinking. ;)

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