30 Days ’til my LCSW Exam
So the big day is now 30 days away. By no means do I feel ready to take my LCSW exam in 30 days time. Heck, last night I passed out before I could eat supper. I know this is going to be a difficult exam. So I’m trying to step up my studying habits. I’m also taking it right after they make small changes to the weight of content. Changes occur on Jan. 02, 2018.
In preparation, I have four large white boards and a large bulletin board. One board for meds, one for diagnoses, one for theory, and one for refresher info. Content on the boards go into a notebook, and from there go into notecards. Hopefully by rewriting everything multiple times, it sticks in my brain.
I ran into a former graduate school cohort classmate who talked about the importance of knowing defense mechanisms, so I came up with a list of 47 defense mechanisms that took me many hours to write out. I ended up passing out on the floor that night.
I wish I had saved all of the study materials from my Masters exam. I remember going to the test site with the passenger side floor being covered in papers and notecards. That was also the day I decided to get a smartphone. My dad drove me down to the testing site and we got lost. We almost missed the test and we only had flip phones. Luckily I found a testing site number among my papers. This time, the testing site is only about ten minutes from my apartment.
I have an outline of exam content, a 2018 Clinical Exam comprehensive study guide (Dawn Apgar), my old Masters comprehensive study guide, and a mountain of blank notecards and post-it notes.
I’m not going to lie, it’s nice to just stare at the stuff and watch YouTube videos. The biggest issue is refreshing my brain. I’ve been putting effort into learning medications and changes in DSM 5 Spectrum Disorders. I have yet to start writing notes on my mirrors and patio doors but I know that level of intensity is soon approaching.
The LCSW has been on my list of yearly goals since 2015. To start the new year with this challenge; 2018: I’m coming for you!
