#roadtorpm

june 27, 2020

my self-study has been inconsistent lately and I couldn't seem to spend at least 3 hours on it because of my work from home situation. in spite of that, I have discovered that listening to some binaural beats for focus and concentration + using pomodoro technique work best for me! also, I don't rely too much on books anymore. I find other sources to supplement other areas I need more clarification on.

The Board Licensure Examination for Psychologists and Psychometricians (BLEPP) started in 2014. It’s safe to say that this is one of the relatively new national exams in the Philippines.

Through the years, only more or less half of the total number of takers are successful in passing the Psychometrician board exams. Here are the results:

2014 - 1,290 out of 3,283

2015 - 2,061 out of 4,466

2016- 3,690 out of 7,312

2017- 4,957 out of 8,701

2018 - 4,035 out of 8,453

I placed these numbers not to scare future takers. I just want everyone to have an idea on how tough the exam is. So you can get the picture, the board exam is not easy as it seems.

I passed BLEPP 2018. For someone who is in the helping profession, I would want to extend my knowledge and help fellow Psychology majors who would want to take the Psychometrician licensure exam.

Knowing that you are here, searching for tips on how you can attain your goal of being an RPm too says a lot about your determination. Keep that up and I’m pretty sure your name will be on the list of passers too!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

1. What are the subjects included in the Psychometrician Board Exam?

The Psychometrician board exam is composed of four (4) subjects namely, Psychological Assessment (40%), Theories of Personality (20%), Abnormal Psychology (20%), and Industrial Psychology (20%). However, there are news that additional subjects will be added in future examinations. This isn’t confirmed yet for BLEPP 2019 so you can calm down a bit. Just a bit.

2. What is the passing grade in order to become licensed?

You need to attain a general average of at least seventy-five percent (75%) for all subjects, with no grade lower than sixty percent (60%) in any of the subjects.

However, there is what we call a conditional passer. These are the examinees who attain an average of 75% but they have a grade lower than 60% in any of the four subjects. What's the catch? Conditional passers may retake the subject(s) within the next two years and they must obtain a grade of at least 75% in order to pass the licensure exam.

But of course, that’s not THE GOAL. Aim to completely pass all subjects and become a board passer. If you can, go the extra mile and even top the board exams!

If you have any questions, kindly send a Tumblr ask, I would gladly help you out if I know the answers.

MY TIPS ON HOW TO PASS THE PSYCHOMETRICIAN BOARD EXAM:

Disclaimer: These tips helped me a lot but it doesn’t mean that it will certainly work on you too. It will still depend on your personal preference and your learning style.

1. Have a study schedule and STICK TO IT.

Set a goal. Since there are four subjects, I allotted at least one month per subject. I started reviewing as early as June 2018 so I had ample time to review. By October 2018, I had around a month for a refresher and to reread.

I had daily and weekly goals to meet. This helped me a lot because I wasn’t only organized with my review but it helped me to feel accomplished once I see my progress on paper. It felt great to tick off topics on my to-do list. It was reassuring for me.

What if you don’t meet your goal? Of course there will be days when it’s harder to study, especially during the rainy season. There are days when you’ll be distracted and you couldn’t focus. Don’t be afraid to adjust your schedule as needed. But refrain from always doing this and putting off your goals for tomorrow. We all know that each hour of studying matters! “Bukas na lang” and having a lot of excuses won’t help you pass the board exam. Make sure to make up for your backlogs and delays.

It’s better to study in advance than to cram. Besides, you will feel more confident when October comes. Imagine if you are still halfway through the coverage and it’s already October first. I swear, that will be terrifying! SO STUDY IN ADVANCE.

2. Fix your body clock.

On the day of the board exam, you will need to wake up VERY EARLY. If you are nocturnal and you are more productive at night, you will have a hard time to focus during the board exam if you do not fix your body clock. Trust me, I’m a night owl as well.

Why is this important? If you stay up all night studying, your body will be used to waking up late and feeling sluggish during the afternoon. It will be hard to wake up and arrive on time for the exam. For me, it was a challenge to train my mind to be ready for the first exam at 8am and also make sure to fight that after-lunch-siesta sleepiness for the afternoon exam at 1pm.

So my tip is to fix your body clock. While reviewing, I woke up as early as 5am. My study schedule was from 6 in the morning up until 8 in the evening only (breaks included of course!) But it’s still up to you, whatever works for you. That’s just my study tip.

3. Reward yourself!

As mentioned, I only studied for around 12 hours. After a day’s worth of studying, I make sure to reward myself IF I FINISH MY DAILY GOAL OR TARGET. I watch my favorite tv show to unwind or eat my favorite comfort food or go out for a drive and get milktea.

This is important too. Remember that too much of something is always bad. Rewarding yourself will keep you sane, make you feel motivated to accomplish your review goals, and to of course, free your mind of the fears and doubts!!!

4. Choose only one to two reference books per subject.

There are a lot of books available that would help you, but it will be too overwhelming if you study too much books per subject. I will list down below the books that helped me throughout my review.

Psychological Assessment and Theory by Kaplan & Saccuzzo

Psychological Testing and Assessment by Cohen & Swerdlik

Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach by Barlow & Durand

Theories of Personality by Feist & Feist

Industrial and Organizational Psychology by Aamodt

Sikolohiyang Pilipino by Pe-Pua

These were the main materials that I used. I finished these books from cover to cover. These books were recommended by the lecturers in the review center that I enrolled in, RGO.

I also used some of the powerpoints that our lecturers provided as well as the review booklets and drills that were given to us.

5. Enrolling in a review center or self-study?

It’s a case to case basis. Remember that not everyone who enrolled in the review center passed the BLEPP! Enrolling in a review center is not a ticket to those three letters! I would like to believe that this greatly depends on you. Sure, enrolling in a review center has its advantages. You’ll have test drills and review materials. Some lecturers are also kind enough to give a copy of their powerpoint presentations. You’ll also be motivated to study because of a supportive community of fellow Psychology students, review center staff, and your mentors.

But there’s a downside. It was honestly overwhelming and draining to sit from morning til the afternoon, from 8am to 5pm. For someone with a short attention span like me, after two hours, I was honestly zoning out already. It’s hard to pay attention the whole day for lectures.

Another downside is that you will feel pressured, especially when you see your friends’ progress with the review, reading, and results in the test drills. You MIGHT compare where you are and what you’ve accomplished, which leads me to another tip.

6. FOCUS ON YOURSELF but surround yourself with positive people and have a support system!

COMPETE WITH NO ONE ELSE BUT YOURSELF. Don’t compare your progress with anyone else’s. Trust your pace and focus on your own review. It will cause you additional pressure if you compare with the people around you.

Don’t hangout with those with negative vibes. “Hala babagsak ata ako.” “Ako rin.” Remember, our mind is a very powerful place. Feed it with the right fuel. Stay with people who will motivate you and who will not bring you down.

7. Think positive. Be optimistic!

I’m not gonna lie. My BLEPP journey was not easy. There were nights when I felt like giving up. I also doubted myself if I will make it. I shed a lot of tears during that five months of review. My mantra all throughout is: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”

I didn’t take the exam with the goal of just passing. I wanted to have decent results, to top the board exams if I can. I didn’t have a mindset that’s mediocre, similar to this: “Kapag pumasa ako edi good, kung hindi okay lang.” Why is that, you ask? Because I want to pass the exam. If I give myself the assurance that it’s okay for me to fail, even if in the back of my mind that’s not my goal, and that’s not what I want to achieve, the universe won’t pave a path towards my success. Law of attraction!

So set that goal, claim it. You will pass and all your actions, thoughts, and everything else will be circling around your dream of being an RPm. Believe that you can and you are halfway there.

8. Know your learning style or what works best for you.

In my case, I’m a visual learner. So the use of flashcards (i made my own using index cards), writing down key words, drawing to understand certain concepts, and reading while using colorful highlighters really helped me!

9. Believe in yourself and don’t listen to your demons!

Your motivation will wear out at some point. You will start to doubt yourself. You will begin to question why you wanted to take the exam in the first place. You will feel like you will fail. These are just some facts.

Don’t be afraid. Just pray, trust in the Lord, and His plans. So what if you don’t make it? What are you afraid of? Being judged by others? Being reprimanded? Remember, you can always take the exam again. Passing on your first or second, or third take won’t really matter. What will truly matter is what you do with your license. Just strive, do your best, and believe that you will become an RPm.

10. Apps that helped me.

Forest - The first app that I used is called Forest. It helped me to stay away from social media and to get rid of distractions! It’s also for a good cause because you can plant REAL TREES once you get a certain amount of coins. Stay productive. Help Mother Earth as well.

Tide -  This app helped me to stay calm. The “breathe” option where it guides me to take deep breathes was effective in letting go of my anxious feelings! The “sleep” option helped me to fall asleep faster at night when I need to doze off already and it gave me good sleep because of the relaxing music that the app has. Also, the alarm that this app has helped me not to wake up feeling shocked (unlike the usual alarms in our phones!) The alarm increases in volume so you won’t wake up feeling so surprised because of the loud, nerve-wracking alarms. I hope you got what I was trying to say. Haha!

Headspace - Once I get up every morning, I allot a few minutes to meditate and clear my mind. So I can be ready for an exhausting day of reviewing. It also helped me to think more positively and to get rid of my fears, doubts, and whatnot!

Spotify - Studying with music really helped me remember things better and to stay focused. I highly recommend the Deep Focus playlist on Spotify! If all else fails, listen to Oceans by Hillsong and other Christian songs.

11. On the day of the exam:

Make sure you bring everything you need! (Especially your pencils and NOA)

Bring a jacket.

Make sure that your scantron won’t get crumpled, WET, or tampered!!! PROTECT YOUR ANSWER SHEET AT ALL COSTS. Keep it neat and tidy.

Manage your time well especially for Psych Assessment.

Make sure not to spill your drinks. I brought water and coffee (in case i feel sleepy) and drink away from your paper.

You may use the questionnaires as scratch papers. You can mark and write on them.

Make sure to READ THE QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. Some questions are meant to be confusing. Make sure that you know what they are asking for! (Be aware of the double negatives and look out for the words like “except”, “all but one” etc.

When in doubt, stick to the basics. Go back to the roots and basics of Psychology.

It’s better if you bring food to eat. Imagine that there will be thousands of takers. There will be long lines in the nearby restaurants.

Use your lunch break to rest. Don’t talk to your friends and discuss answers! It might ruin your confidence.

It won’t hurt to follow some superstitious beliefs! What’s there to lose right? I wore red underwear. I entered the room with my right foot first. I broke one pencil (donated the others) after the last exam and I never looked back on my seat once I passed my paper! But of course, your success won’t really be based on these but it gave me some sense of comfort and extra boost of luck, I guess.

PRAY. The Lord is with you. Trust His plans and remember that he answers prayers only with three ways: Yes, Not Yet, and I have something better in mind. Stand firm in faith.

12. After the exam, wait patiently.

I know it will be the most anxious-filled days. You will think that your nervousness will be gone after taking the exam but no. Your anxiety will still be through the roof! Remember to pray. Know that you did what you can. Be proud of yourself because months of studying wasn’t easy. Be proud of yourself too because not EVERYONE had enough courage to even try to take the board exam and that alone is already an achievement.

Those are what helped me to become a Registered Psychometrician. If you have questions and if want to ask for reviewers, don’t be afraid to message me through my Tumblr ask or Twitter DMs . I would be glad to help. I already have a Google Drive with compiled readings/powerpoints available for sharing anytime!

June 22, 2019

Today starts a new journey in my life. A track I once set aside to provide for my family. A pavement I know I will take when I am completely ready and this time, I am unstoppable.

After Graduation, nag-enroll na agad kami sa Review Center. Saturday and Sunday yung review sesh naming sa Tagaytay. Ayon yung pinili kong schedule kasi ang original plan ko, magpapart-time ako during weekdays. Reason kung bakit gusto ko magtrabaho ay para narin syempre may sarili akong pera, nahihiya na ko sa parents ko syempre graduate na ko technically dapat nagtatrabaho na pero dahil may board exam, kailangan ko na naman ng pera parang isang buong sem din yon. Tsaka naisip ko kung di ako papasa at least may scapegoat ako “NAGTATRABHO KASI AKO, DI AKO NAREVIEW NG MAAYOS, KAYA AKO BUMAGSAK” HAHAHA habang nag-aaral na ko nabasa ko na tawag jan sa ganyang palusot, CONSTRUCTING OBSTACLE , isa sa Safeguarding Tendency ni Tito Alfred Adler or pwede ring EXTERNAL LOCUS OF CONTROL ni Pareng Julian Rotter kasi isisisi ko pa sa outside force ang future pagbagsak ko or di kaya RATIONALIZATION ni Lolo Sigmund Freud. Pagtapos ko matutunan yon, sinabi ko sa sarili ko “MAGFOFOCUS AKO SA REVIEW! AYOKONG BUMAGSAK! AYOKONG MAGKAROON NG REGRETS SA FUTURE NA BUMAGSAK AKO DAHIL SA DI AKO NAGREVIEW OR GUMAWA AKO NG SARILI KONG OBSTACLE.”

That day, nabuhay ang katawang lupa ko! GAME FACE ON. Naghoard ako ng mga notepads na iba-ibang kulay, highlighter, manila papers, markers and other school supplies and kaartehan ko sa pag-aaral (washi tapes, cutie sticky notes, assorted gelpens, etc.). Gusto ko kasi every review sesh ko , nag-eenjoy ako. Halos every 2 weeks, nag-guGroup review sesh kami nila Yanyan at Kia, yun rin yung time na magsstock kami ng school supplies, “UY! NBS TAYO HA? UBOS NA BALLPEN KO..UBOS NA YUNG…” Sa Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf madalas yung sesh namin kasi don yung peaceful talaga , we spent maximum of 6 hours don and minsan sa SB , nakakapulubi grabe! HAHAHA Pero iba rin kaya yung feels kapag wala ka sa loob ng bahay niyo nag-aaral. Syempre dahil coffee shops yon, less higa at kung anu-anong ritwal pag nasa bahay ka. Masaya yung feeling na nasshare mo sa kanila yung part na alam mo and at the same time nadadagdagan yung alam ko dahil sa mga inputs nilang bago plus HOTTEST CHIKKA. HAHAHA Matik na, kasama yung #GirlTalk. Mas stress out na talaga, nagsisine kami pag may budget pa.

 SOLO REVIEW SESH

Naki-usap ako sa parents ko na gagawin ko ng totoong kwarto yung tinutulugan ko. Hindi kasi ako makapagfocus kapag sa baba ako nag-aaral. Pinalagyan ko ng table at upuan don. Ginawa ko talaga studyspo #2 (kasi may studyspo naman ako sa baba), member rin ako ng studyblr kaya madaming study tips and learning styles ang nakukuha ko at nasshare ko rin. Habang tumatagal yung review, mas kumakapal yung papers at reviewers ko. Thank you kay Papa, siya yung gumawa ng DIY divider ko dahil nanghihinayang ako bumili at alam ko naming crafty yung tatay ko at ako nalang yung nagdesign. Thank you rin kay Mama, lagi siyang sinusunod yung gusto kong ulam, nagtitimpla lagi ng gatas (kahit may lactose intolerance ako) pero pinipilit ko kasi kailangan, tagabili ng snacks ko at nakapa-alala sakin na MAGPAHINGA. Sa ate at kuya ko na hindi ako pinagawa ng gawaing bahay, salamat sa inyo! Kahit na alam kong minsan nagseselos na rin kayo, Sorry.

 Sa pagrereview ko natutunang kumapit sa kape. Sinabi ko noon, ayoko abusuhin yung kape dahil gusto ko magagamit ko siya pag kailangan na talaga, which is nangyari nga. Salamat sa mason jar ko, sa mga iba’t ibang ice coffee mixture na naimbento ko HAHAHA Medyo nakuha ko na nga yung lasa ng MEXICAN CHOCOLATE ng CBTL HAHAHAHA CHOS.

Review Routine

*Ito yung sample ng typical day ko nung review pero syempre di naman ako robot, nagdedeviate rin ako sa schedule ko.

*** Technically, 7 to 8 houuuurs parin naman tulog ko. HAHAHA mas gusto ko lang mag all-nighter kasi tahimik na yung paligid mas nakakatulong makapag-absorb ng infos.

Bago pala ang pagrereview ko magstart, hinanap ko sa baul yung college notes/reviewers na mapapakinabangan ko pa. Itinabi ko talaga yung mga yun para sa future use which is ito na nga. Inalam ko yung effective na learning style sakin. Ang colorful ng notes ko nung college at gumagawa talaga ako ng reviewers para sakin at para sa tropa.

Kaya bumuo ako ng strategy na gagawin ko sa pag-aaral para hind maging boring!

Para mas madali akong makapag-aral, naging mas organize ako. Nagcolor coding ako sa 4 SUBJECTS NG EXAM.

PINK for Theories of Personality

ORANGE for Psychological Assessment

YELLOW for Abnormal Psychology

GREEN for Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Lahat ng files inayon ko sa kulay na yan. Folders, notepads, ballpens, highlighters at sticky notes. May nabasa kasi ako na mas maganda nag anon para ma-train yung brain natin.

Nagdikit ako sa pader ng kwarto ko ng mga “NOTE TO SELF” “REMINDERS” “GOALS” and others.  Yung Monthly calendar ko may mga events at plan na tapos yung nilalagay ko sa bulletin board ko ay yung WEEKLY TASKS na dapat kong maacomplish then may reward every week! REWARD YOURSELF. Yung mga gagawin ko pang nextweek nakasked na agad yan para alam ko yung free time ko kung may ganap.

Sa first month ng review ko, umasa ako sa online lectures ng isang site tapos gumawa ako ng reviewer at print ko. Helpful yung online lectures na yon kasi pag may hindi ako nagets pwede kong i-backward or i-pause, learning at your own pace talaga! Yung moment na yon parang warm-up muna bago ako sumabak sa totoong pagrereview.

Yung next  2 months ng review sesh ko, ONE SUBJECT PER WEEK talaga ginagawa ko. Ayon yung naisip ko para madali akong makatapos ng e-books. **E-BOOKS LANG ANG MERON AKO WALA AKONG PHYSICAL BOOKS , BAWAL NA KAMI MANGHIRAM SA LIBRARY NG SCHOOL E. Tsaka wala naman ako mahihiraman. Thank you sa mga sites n may free downloads ng e-books. Oo, masakit sa mata mag e-books kasi iba talaga pag real books.

THEORIES OF PERSONALITY by Feist & Feist 7th Edition, FIRST EVER PSYCHOLOGY BOOK NA NABASA KO SA BUONG BUHAY KO.  One week natapos ko siya, SOBRANG PROUD NA PROUD AKO SA SARILI KO NON! Tapos nagdrills ng TOP sa review center, mataas yung nakuha kasi syempre nabasa ko na yung book. Grabe. Nakagraduate ako ng college at may Latin honor pero di ako nakapagbasa ng buong book HEHEHE umasa lang sa powerpoints at book chapters HUHUHU kaya medyo nakasisis na SANA PALA NUNG COLLEGE NAGBASA NA KO NG BOOKS EDI SANA RE-VIEW AT REFRESH NALANG ANG NAGAGANAP NGAYON.  After ko nung book na yon, na-hooked ako sa mga theorists na yon! Nakakainspire yung stories nila at yung hugot nila sa buhay kaya nahirapan ako magmove-on! HAHAHA parang gusto ko nalang magTOP nalang palagi. Basa then sulat ng notes simultaneous kong ginagawa. Mas maraming senses ginagamit mo mas tatak daw sa utak e. Mas madaming senses gumagawa, mas effective mas pagod ka. HAHAHA After non sinunod kong basahin yung book ni Schultz & Schultz, then medyo madaliang basa kina Engler at kay Owen na books.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT by Kaplan & Sacuzzo una nong book na binigyang pansin. GRABE! Nakakalula. Ito yung mas nakakaiyak na part kasi hirap talaga ako sa subject na to. Yung mga parts na kaya ko yung inaral ko uli tapos nagskip ako sa mga di ko ganong gets like regression and mga parametrics sabi ko sa review center ko nalang yon iintiindihin. Nagbasa rin ako ng book ni Cohen, Urbina, at Coaley. THE MORE THE MERRIER. AYON SABOG BRAIN CELLS KO HAHA.

ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY, yung kay Barlow & Durand talaga una kong sinubukan pero hanggang chapter 8 lang ako, napagod ako! Kaya lumipat ako kay Comer 9e, YEHEY! Dahil sa ganda ng pagkaka layout ng book niya, mas na motivate ako matapos yon. Nagbigay pansin rin ako sa buong DSM IV TR, one round ng basahan lang at lecture notes. Sabi ko no time na ko sa DSM 5 tutal medyo familiar naman ako dito, DSM 5 MADE EASY na book nalang binasa ko. Tapos nagsagot na ko ng mga drills online. Dito ko narealize na sooooooobrang daming information tapos 100 items lang yung sa exam!? HUHUHU ang liit ng chance na lalabas yung inaral mo. Minsan swertehan talaga.

INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY book ni Michael Aamodt ang binasa ko probably ng most test takers HAHAHA ito yung pinaka comprehensive na I/O book na available this time e. Magaling mag explain si Aamodt, first person kasi. Pero dahil feel ko ang unfair sa I/O na isang book lang binasa ko then sa other subjects 2 or more, nagsearch pa ko ng ibang helpful na books, then nakita ko yung book ni Landy, binasa ko rin siya pero hindi tulad ng ginawa kong pagbabasa kay Aamodt.

 *Yung nga authors ng book, surname basis na lang kami e LOL

Sinasabi nila na ang sipag ko daw, paano ko natatapos agad yung books na yon. Pero nakakatawa mang isipin , hindi ko rin alam. HAHAHA pero di naman laging sipag lang, napapagod rin ako at umiiyak. Pero lahat ng iyak ko, patago. Ayokong Makita nila na nahihirapan na ako. Dumating sa punto na, sobrang sakit ng likod ko, yung leeg ko di ko nailingon na naman ng maayos  (**may cervical kyphosis ako, yung spine ko sa leeg in reverse since 1st year college until now nag-iintake parin ako ng meds**), nagrerereview ako ng may neckbrace. Gusto ko na magpahiinga pero di ko ginagawa kasi alam ko paghuminto ako, saying yung time. Di ko magagawa yung task sa day na yon. Nagdadasal lang ako pag ganon na. Thank you, Lord.

Kapag napapatagal yung browse at scroll ko sa social media at panonood ng TV, naguguilty ako tapos sasabihin kong “ TAMA NA TO! AYAW MONG BUMAGSAK DIBA? MADAMING TIME PARA JAN, AFTER BOARDS TSKA KA MAGGANYAN!.” then ang alarm ko sa phone nakalagay “GUSTO MO PUMASA DIBA? BUMANGON KANA!”

DISCIPLINE YOURSELF.

Tuwing nawawalan ako ng pag-asa or malapit ng sumusuko, iniisip ko nalang kung bakit ako kumakapit. 

 AYOKO KONG MADISAPPOINT YUNG SARILI. 

 AYOKONG MADISAPPOINT YUNG IBANG TAO lalo na yung pamilya ko. 

Gusto patunayan na KAYA KO! 

Gusto ng additional valid ID ! 

Gusto ko tumulong sa iba AT MAGKAROON NG AMBAG SA SOCIETY.

LASTLY, nandito na ko e, LALABAN AKO!

May kasabihan nga na “NASA TAO ANG GAWA, NASA DIYOS ANG AWA” kaya naman I prayed harder. Kay God ako unang kumapit at humingi ng guidance. Dinagdagan ko yung mga Saints na dinadasalan ko. Nagsearch ako, nakita ko si Saint Joseph of Cupertino. He is the patron saint of air travelers, aviators, astronauts, people with a mental handicap, test takers and poor students. Since then, every night ko na siyag dinadasalan. September 18 yung feast niya, 9 days before yung day na yon, nag novena ako sa kanya. Tapos 9 days before yung BLEPP nagnovena ulit ako sa kanya.

Other Saints na noon ko pa dinadasalan at kinapitan ko rin ng mahigpit during the boards ,

o   Our Lady of Lourdes- Patroness of those who are Sick

o   St. John Paul II- patron saint of youth

o   St. Anthony of Padua- patron saint of lost things

o   St. Jude Thaddeus- patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes/ The Patron Saint of the Impossible

o   St. Martha- patron saint of active, practical women, servants & cooks

o   St. Agustine (Tata Usteng)- patron saint of brewers,

o   St. Padre Pio- Patron saint Adolescents, Stress relief

o   St. Teresa of Avila- patron saint of headache sufferers

o   Ina ng Laging Saklolo- Patron Saint of the Sick, Police, Paratroopers and Grocers

Saturday and Sunday ang review naming sa review center. Pag hindi ako nagmamadali ng sabado, umaattend ako ng Healing Mass sa Our Lady of Lourdes Church sa Tagaytay, walking distance lang naman from review site e. Pero consistent yung every after review every Sunday na nagtitirik kami ng kandila sa Candel Chapel ng Our Lady of Lourdes (Green candle for good studies) Nakilala na nga kami ni “Ate” na tagabantay sa candle chapel e. After magtirik, umuuwi na sila. Nagsstay ako para magsimba tuwing 6:00pm tapos si Kia naman sa Victory ng Serin nagsisimba tuwing 6:00pm , after ng mass nagkikita nalang kami at sabay na uuwi.

Sobrang laking part ng OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH CHURCH sa tropa namin at sa sarili ko personally since college days. Unang beses kaming nagpunta sa simbahan na yon, last day of school ng first year 2nd sem, tandang tanda ko pa nakaneck brace pa ko non kasama ko yung first squad ko. Simula non, nagging panata na naming yon. Every after ng semester, naglalaan talaga kami ng time para magpunta don, magtirik ng kandila at magdasal. After ng boards, yung first Sunday non bago lumabas yung results, nakabalik na ko sa Lourdes para magsimba at magtirik ng kandila. This time, we’re planning na buong squad bumalik doon pra magpasalamat.

WHAT I DID before boards:

1)    I STUDY HARD AND PRAY HARDER. Specific lagi yung dasal ko “LORD, LET ME PASS THE BOARD LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR PSYCHOMETRICIAN THIS OCTOBER 29&30 THIS YEAR 2017.  HELP ME. GUIDE ME TOWARDS THIS JOURNEY. SANA RIN PO 100% PASSING RATE, PUMASA KAMING LAHAT KAHIT HINDI PO AKO MAGTOP BASTA PUMASA KAMING LAHAT  LALO NA PO YUN TROPA NAMIN PERO KUNG DI NAMAN PO PWEDE NA LAHAT KAMI SANA PO YUNG MGA TUNAY NA NAGSUSUMIKAP AT NAGSISIPAG ANG UNAHIN NINYO.”

2)      NAGTASA AKO NG LAPIS SA LOOB NG SIMBAHAN. Sabi ng mga previous testtakers at lecturers ng review center, ipinatasa daw nila yung mga lapis nila sa previous topnotchers or mga previous passers or sa mismong lecturer.

Sabi ko sa sarili, di ko iaasa ang pagtatasa sa iba so AKO MISMO NAGTASA NG MGA LAPIS KO. Pero what’s new sa ginagawa ko? SA LOOB NG SIMBAHAN KO ITO TINASAHAN KASABAY NG PAGDADASALA KO. Patago pa yung pagtatasa ko before magstart ng mass at pagtapos ng mass.  One month before ng boards, first Wednesday ng October, nagpunta kami ni Mama sa Baclaran. Nagsimba kami sa Ina ng Laging Saklolo, doon ko unang ginawa ng pagtatasa ng mahiwagang lapis.  Next, last day ng review naming after non nagsimba ako tulad ng dating gawi, sa Our Lady of Lourdes sa Tagaytay, doon ko ginawa yung next lasa gaming ko.  Lastly, ditto sa Parish ng subdivision naming kay Saint John Paul II, before magstart yung misa nagtatasa ako. By the way, yung mga pinagtasaan ko nasa iisang plastic yon, at dinala ko yon sa mismong day ng exam, nilagay ko siya sa bulsa ng uniform ko sa may dibdib katabi ng rosary ko.

Oooops! Di pa pala don nagtatapos ang tasa story, night before ng exam dumalaw sa condo naming yung isa naming prof si Sir A, lecturer rin siya ng review center RPm at RPSy, may dala siyang pantasa, tatasahan daw niya pencils namin. Nagsecond thoughts ako kasi tasado na pencils ko at gusto maniwala sa kakayahan ko sa pagtatasa LOL pero dahil kinabahan ako at wala naman masamang maniwala, kunuha ko yung isang lapis na hindi ko natasahan sa mga simbahan at ayun ang inabot ko kay Sir A.

 All in all, APAT NA LAPIS ang ginamit ko during the exam, para di magtampo ang mga lapis kada 20 items na masasagutan ko nagpapalit ako ng pencil. HAHAHAHA

3)    SONGS FOR MY SOUL PLAYLIST. Kapag nawawalan na ako ng motibasyon kakareview at feeling ko susuko na ko, ito yung pinapatugtog ko, di ko alam kung napapansin to ng iba sa IG stories ko. Gumawa talaga ako ng playlist sa spotify na puro worship & catholic songs. **nagSpotify premium ako for 3 months** HAHAHA Kung wala ka ng makapitan, kumakapit talaga ko sa mga songs na to. Uplifting kasi. Thaaankyouuu!

Here are few of the songs included in that list:

-        Anima Christi (fave)

-        Seek Ye First (fave)

-        Take & Receive

-        With All I am

-        God Will Make a Way

-        Ang Panginoon ang Aking Pastol

-        One More Gift

-        Tell the World of His Love

Pag normal days naman, instrumental songs lang pinapakinggan ko kasabay ng pagbabasa ng e-books. Yung walang lyrics para di ako makakasabay HAHAHAA

4)    IPINA-BLESS YUNG LAHAT NG GAGAMIT KO SA BOARD EXAM, TAKE NOTE LAHAT!. Mgasususotin at gagamitin ko for two days! Uniform, sapatos, footsocks, lapis, ballpen, bra, panty, snacks and others. Si mama nagsabi nito, siya rin nagpush, ganon rin kasi ginawa nung firned niya na may anak na magbboard exam at nakapasa!

5)    WHITE UNDIES. Sabi don sa review center, red panty daw ang swerte. Number 1, wala akong red panty. Number 2, wala akong balak bumili ng bago. Number 3, gusto ko gumawa ng sarili kong agimat.

White pinili ko kasi ayon yung kulay ng panty na mayroon ako na dalawang piraso. White means purity so I took the chance, pure yung heart ko na pumasa at pure yung intentions ko so I wear white. Thanks to my white panty, I passed!

6)    An apple a day keeps the memory loss away( ako na nagbago ng saying na to HAHAHA) ’. Nung naggrocery kami day before the boards, nagpunta ako sa fruit section ng supermarket, bumili ako ng 2pcs. Na apple. Isa to sa weird kong ginawa at pinush kong kumain rin yung mga tropa ko nung breakfast time namin before yung exam.  Nabasa ko kasi noon na Apples boost the brain by protecting against memory loss and lowering the occurrence of strokes. Dahil kinakabahan ako baka magka memory loss at itakihin sa kaba, pinush ko yung apple. Hiniwa yung apples, shinare ko sa squad. Hanggang Day 2, ginawa ko yon. J  Thank youuuu, Apple <3

7)    GOYA BITS & NIPS...YAKULT.. PIYAYA… Thank you!

8)    OFFERING A SHORT PRAYER BEFORE, DURING and AFTER of every subject in the board exam.

Before the exam, nung binigay na yung form, pinagdasal ko lahat at nagging friendsly ako sa test papers and all (advised ni Dean), I prayed and I lifted all my worries to God. During the exam, kapag may questions na talagang di ko alam, I prayed n asana tumama yung wise guess ko. Kapag naririnig ko na yung tibok ng puso ko sa kaba, nagdadasal ako. After the exam,  I’m so happy na nakita ko yung chapel ng UE Manila sa 2nd floor nung pababa ako right after ng 1st subject ng exam. Medyo konti yung taong nandon, I went there…I kneeled and prayed. Tapos before magstart yung next subject, I went there again and touched the saints (St. Jude Thaddeus & St. Therese) then sign of the cross. Basta ayon yung nagging routine ko sa two days ng exam. Yung pinaka last day at natapos ko na yung last subject, agad agad akong lumuhod don at bigla na kong naluha. Naluha ako kasi feel ko naalis na yung tinik sa dibdib ko. I’m done!

BLEPP DAY 1

Mga 4:00am na kami nagising nung Day 1, nagising ako na luto na ang almusal dahil maagang gumising si Ichan. Unang naligo at nag-asikaso sina Kia at Arriane dahil sa UE Caloocan silang dalawa. Ako na yung nagprepare ng palalagay ng lunch sa mga baunan namin. Binaunan narin naming sina Yanyan at Bianca ng lunch.  Lahat nagmamadali nung araw na yon. First time ko sumakay gamit yung Uber App, thanks to Grace! HAHAHA Pagdating naming sa UE Manila, GRABE! Ang haba na ng pila, halos 30 mins rin kaming naghintay para mag-open yung gate. Pagpasok naming, agad agad na kaming naghiwa-hiwalay. Nagtanong ako sa isang usherettes …

Me: Kuya saan po yung SFC Building?

Kuya: This way po, akyat lang kayo jan.

Sabay kaming umakyat ni Grace, pero naghiwala rin kami kasi siya ay sa 3rd floor at ako ay sa 4th floor. Pag-akyat ko sa 4th floor, mga 6:28 na yon, eh 6:30 dapat nasa rooms na kami. OMG! Ang room ko ay ROOM 400, yung part na sinabi ni kuya na akyatan ko ay sa Room 420 nagsimula! YUNG BLDG. PALA NA YON AY PA-IKOT! Grabe yung takbo na ginawa ko para mahanap yung room 400!!! Hingal na hingal ako, buti nalang mabait yung proctor sa room ko, pinapasok ako habang yung iba nagsusulat na! Thanks God!

Hindi pa nagsstart yung exam proper, haggard na ako. HAHAHA *inhale exhale…inom tubig*** OKAY, I’m good! Nagdasal ako at nagsimula na yung exam.

THEORIES OF PERSONALITY, first subject. 

Natuwa ako dahil nandon ang Trinity ( Freud, Jung at Adler) Tapos sinamahan ni Kelly, Erickson at konting Klein. Kung may tanong na sure kang tatami ka, may tanong naman na talagang mapapatanong ka na, NABASA KO BA TO? Elimination ang naging technique ko sa mga tanong na ganon at odd man out. May hope sa theories of personality, out of 100 mga 30-40 items ang di ko SURE AS IN then yung other items sure ako at wise guess talaga.  Mga 30mins before yung time natapos ako, dinasalan ko uli yung answer sheet ko at pinasa ko na. Pagbaba ko doon ko nakita yung chapel ng UE, himinto ako don saglit at nagdasal.

Lunch break, sabay sabay kami naglunch ng tropa. May Packed lunch kami, prenipare nung maga tapos ako nagbiibit nung lunch nung iba.

Konting chikahan lang at tanungan ng sagot ng mahina dahil bawal! HAHAHA After lunch, dumaan uli ako sa chapel bago bumalik sa room.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT , second subject.

One hour bago ang time ng PsyAss, nagpapahinga nalang ako sa room at nagdadasal. HAHAHA Normal lang, walang kaba kaya ako kinakabahan kasi di ako kinakabahan yun yung feeling!

Pagkatanggap ko ng questionnaire ng Psych Assessment, NAGDASAL AKO ULIT. Grabe ito yung exam sa hindi talaga sapat yung 3 hours sa 150 items, nakakaawa yung brain cells ko that time, wala akong ma-retrive na sagot, gusto nang umiyak. THAT WAS THE SHORTEST 3 HOURS OF MY LIFE.  Ni hindi ako makakain ng snacks ko. Ang dami kong erasure sa answer sheet, mga more than 10 siguro. Out of 150 items, less than 10 items lang ako 100% akong sure na tama ako. Nakakapanghina ng loob, yung mga topics na akala nyo sure win na lalabas ( like reliability, validity, normal curve, z-scores) WALA! WALA KAHIT ISANG POINT MAN LANG. Alam mong mahirap talaga yung subject dahil nung TOP ang subject, after an hour may natapos na agad! This time, halos lahat sinagad yung 3hours! Natapos ako mga 10minutes before the time, wala na kong balak i-review dahil wala rin naman akong magagawa dahi di ko na alam. Nagdasal nalang ako. Tapos after ko magpasa, dumaan uli ako sa Chapel ng UE sa 2nd floor, medyo naluluha na ako non.

Then nagmeet-up kami ng tropa with others, pati sila nanlulumo sa nangyari. Nagtatawanan nalang kasi feeling naming walang content validity yung exam at content underrepresentation ang naganap. Doon bumaba yung confidence naming na kakaunti na nga lang, mababawasan pa! Ako, si ichan at Grace ang magkakasabay umuwi sa condo, medyo naligaw kami at nagroadtrip! Di na kami nag uber para tipid ayon cutting trip kami buti nakauwi kami HAHAHA

Pag-uwi sa condo, nag-iyakan sila habang ako naghuhugas ng plato at lunchbox naming, sinasabi ko lang na “walang susuko hangga’t di pa tapos ang laban dahil may bukas pa!”

Gusto ko rin umiyak that time, pero walang lumabas sa mga mata ko. Sabi ko irereserve ko nalang mga luha ko pag-uwi ko bahay.

Medyo mas maaga kami natulog that night. Saglitang browse ng notes pero matatamlay parin kami.

BLEPP DAY 2

LAST DAY OF THE BATTLE.

Mas peaceful na sa gate dahil alam nan g bawat isa yung rooms nila. Ako rin, alam ko na yung best way para di ako tumakbo papunta sa room ko. Dumaan ako saglit sa chapel, at tumungo na sa room.

Abnormal Psychology na ! 

Sa apat na subject, ito talaga yung subject na may lumabas sa nireview ko. Walang diagnosis, halos puro etiology talaga. Mga 30-40 items rin hindi ko ganong sure, pero pwede! After non, dumaan uli ako sa chapel then lunch break then resume na.

Industrial Psychology, last subject.

More on Observational learning yata ang lumabas dito at mga theories of motivation. Ayos naman din pero napaisip ako kung sasabit scores ko dito kasi pag-uwi naming sa condo, nabasa ko yung tweets ng ibang test takers, nahirapan daw sila sa Industrial! Pero kaming Piyu peeps, sa psych assessment talaga super nahirapan.

Scenario sa Condo after Day 2 ng BLEP

May kakatawang nangyari sa condo dahil sa mga impulsive acts na nagpaligaya sa mga ids nila HAHAHA ayon napa-multa ng di oras. Wala ng budget for swimming sana kinabukasan. Hindi na rin makapagdinner ng bongga dahil yugn ang plans dapat. HAHA Kaya kaming dalawa nalang ni Ichan ang nag-ambagan para makapagcelebrate kahit papano. Bumili nalang kami ng bucket sa Jollibee then dinala naming sa condo. Tinry rin naming yung strawberry fries, EWWWWW never again! HAHAHA

Kinabukasan, mas prepared na yung breakfast naming. Pancakes and others pero di naming napansin yung time at dumating na si Supremo (condo owner) , check-out na pala naming kaya ayon nagmadali kami mag-ayos ng gamit at naglinis.

Before ako umuwi sa bahay, nagkita kami ng bestfriend ko, si Cybel. Grabe, mangiyak-ngiyak ako sa pagkwento sa kanya nung naging resulta. Pero nabawasan yung stress ko nung kinausap ko siya at nung sinabi niya yung side niya.  Dahil sa mabigat yugn bag ko non, siya na nagbitbit nung isa. Macho talaga tong bestfriend ko e. HAHAHA

Tapos umuwi na ko, ayon ang una kong chinikka sa pamilya ko ay yung happy moments and experiences then nung sa part na ko ng exam, naiyak na ko bigla. Hirap na ko mag-explain basta nagsorry na ako kasi feel ko di na talaga papasa. Tapos tahimik lang ako, nagdinner ako then umakyat na sa kwarto ko at doon ko binuhos yung iyak ko na ilang oras ko ng pinipigil.

THE AGONY OF WAITING

Mas kinabahan ako sa paghihintay ng results kaysa sa boards. Kasi alam kong wala na kong magagawa at tapos na. Si God na yung bahala kung ipapasa nya ako or hindi.

Oo, i-aim ko rin naman magTop sa boards kasi kapag mga drills sa review center lagi akong kasama sa highest Top 5 so kahit papano naisip may laban naman. But because of how the exam turned out, napasabi talaga ako kahit di na ko magtop basta pumasa lang! SObrang okay na ako non.

Nov. 6, buong araw nag hihintay ako pero wala pa. Kaya Nov. 7, yung expected date ng released maaga akong gumising.  Tapos bandang tanghali nagsiesta ako pero gumising ako wala parin. Nakakabalisa yugn paghihintay.  Buti nalang madaming choices ng games sa messenger, naaliw kami kahit papano.

*hindi alam ni Mama na that day irerelease yung results, sabi ko kasi after 3 months pa, tapos na nagulat ako alam ni ate—sinearch niya pala.. kaya pala tinatanong ako “wala pa no? wala pa diba? Sabi ko “ alin? Anong wala pa?” HAHAHAHA nag-aabang rin pala siya at refresh ng refresh sa page ng PRC LOL *

So sabi ko, mga gabi to lalabas like last year. Last year yata around 11pm na yon kaya napuyat kami non tapos next day midterm exam naman ayuuuun BANGAG! HAHAHAH

*around 7pm di ko na kinaya yung kaba, sinabi ko na kay mama na that day irerelease yugn results, shoookt siya e! Tapos ayon nakikirefresh na rin siya sa page ng PRC. Hanggang sa ginabi na talaga, pinatulog ko na sila.

One hour before irelease, nagchat ni Bestie about sa kaharutan HAHA tapos ayun nag telebabad muna kami sa phone kakachikka after non umakyat na ko. Tapos kachat ko na si Yanyan.

Lights off na ko kasi sabi ko hihintayin ko habang nagkahiga. Bigla tumunog phone ko GRABEEEE! NAGTWEET NA YUNG PRC!!! 10:26 PM NAGCHAT AKO SA GC NAMIN PSYCHTIBISTAS “ FOR REAL, NANJAN NA” tapos lahat nagseen, nananhimik lang din sila na naghihintay.

Sabi ko ang una kong titignan pag release ng results ay yung Performance ng Results, then yung topnotchers then yung list of passers pero that time wala na! Topnotchers then passers na. Nasa topnothcers palang ako nagpop-out thumbnail ni Bestie “PASADO TAYO!” SHET SPOILER! WALA PA NGA AKO SA NAME KO E. KINLOSE KO AGAD YON. Tapos nagscroll ako, I WANT TO TO IT WITH MY OWN EYES… Then ayun! 

575 BARRAMEDA, JAMAICA NOCUS

“PUMASA AKO!!! AKO TOOOOO!” Ayan yugn sinabi ko tapos umiyak na ko..iyak na parang walang luha na di ko malaman basta ang saya!  Tapos tumakbo na si ate at mama papunta sa kwarto ko, niyakap at kiniss nila ako tapos teary eyes rin sila. GRABEEEEEE! ~Nabunutan ako ng tinik. Ang sayaaaa! After non, isa isa ko ng hinanap yung batchmates ko, 13 out of 15 ang pinalad. Highest passing rate in Cavite parin kami at may bonus pa na Top 7(si Ichan). Tapos ayon, nagvideo call si Bestie para icongrats ako, tapos naiyak kami HAHAHA tapos chinachat ko si Yanyan kasi di pa siya online then ang videocall rin kami, naiyak siya akala ko nakita na niya, tinatanong niya ako kung pasado daw siya pero ayoko siya ispoil kaya sabi ko tignan niya tapos ayooooon iyakan na naman. URGHHHHH GRABE! ANG SAYA pero partial lang kasi sa squad naming may isang di pinalad, pero we know na may better plans si God for her.

Hanggang ppagtulog ko ang saya, 4:00am na yata ako nakatulog non then 7:00am gumising ako. THAT WAS THE BEST 3 HOURS NA TULOG KO TAPOS ANG GOOD VIBES PAG GISING KO HAHAHAHAH. Pinagawa ako ni mama ng informations ko kasi daw dadalhin na niya sa mga politico na sponsors ko para mag thank you at pang tarpaulin. Grabe ang dami kong tarps HAHHAHA Ginasgas naming sa GC yung “RPm” yung mga names naming pinaglalagyan ng ganon. Halos 1 week rin akong nagrereply sa mga comments at messages nang mga taong nagccongrats sakin, famous feels CHOS HAHAHAHAH

Ni-look forward naming agad yung Testimonial Gathering at Oath taking. Gusto na ishare yung journey ko sa future RPms. Hehehe

To future BLEPP Warriors,

I am more than willing to share with you my self-made & self-compiled reviewers and practice test. Just e-mail me at [email protected]. Don’t be shy :) 

Bale ayun, di maganda scores ko sa diagnostic exams ko hahaha Isa lang pinasa kong exam out of 4 at Industrial Psychology yun. Sabi nila, yun daw yung pinaka tricky at na-take for granted ng maraming RPm examinees last year. Soooo, maedyo nafi-feel ko na mas alaki yung chance ko na maipasa ko yun haha On the brighter side pa pala, wala akong review nun nung nag take ako ng exams. Mula 2016, after graduation, di na ulit ako humawak ng libro at nagbasa ng books related to Psychology. So puuure stock knowledge lang talaga yun and Im proud na at least I am not in the lowest still.

Review na lang talga para mas mahasa pa.. 

august 19, 2020

whenever i feel doubtful of my capability of ever having the chance to put RPm after my name one day, i look at the sky and remember this Morgan Harper Nichols quote and i start to feel confident that although it may take time, there will still be a place for me. 

july 21, 2020

— today, im a bit sad. no, i am completely sad. i wanted so bad to believe in myself, pero bakit ganon? kahit anong motivate ko sa sarili ko, lagi akong pinanghihinaan ng loob. yes, my grades are in danger at the moment and im about to lose my dream to become an RPM. pero anong magagawa ko? mukhang hindi para saakin 'to. sobrang sakit naman non. minsan ka na nga lang maging sigurado sa isang bagay, yun pa yung hindi pwedeng maging sayo. i know, i trust Him. ang sakin lang, ang sakit. pero i still believe na He has a better plan for me. just at this point, i really wanna know how will i able to survive my college life. sobrang hirap, pero ginusto ko naman 'to. hindi sa nagcocomplain, nag rerelease lang ng damdamin. haha