This is how I spent my worry-free, week-long vacation during that summer 2011.. as my Ballast book was in the mail...It's also one of many "happy place" pictures I'll be posting on this blog, as I need to "go there" often!
Where I was during Summer 2011: I had been laid off about 1.25 years before taking Sections 1 & 2. Unemployment compensation was up (these tests aren't cheap!). I was feeling lonely and depressed. I was job-searching. I was going to interviews. I was wallowing in the economic slump. I was teaching swim lessons and pulling from our savings. I was also working with some great residential clients and trying to make something of my own design business. And I was studying every. single. day. I knew I had to take my NCIDQ. Becoming licensed would help me deliver the best results possible to clients and stand out in the design community. Oh, and I had been oh-so-particular about CIDA (formerly FIDER) accredited design programs back when I was a smarty-pants 17 year old looking at colleges - I mean, I couldn't skip it now.
Taking only the multiple choice allowed me to stayed focused on one type of test. I wasn't juggling reading and outlining with drafting and space planning. In other words, I didn't want one section lacking with unbalanced preparation. I also didn't dread one day of testing as I would have dreaded two back-to-back days of testing. This decision worked for me as I passed both MC sections the first time. I felt prepared, rested, and confident on test day and I was able to celebrate that night and enjoy my weekend after 70 days straight of reading Ballast's study guide.
Halfway there... sigh.
However, this decision may have had it's cons as after I took the MC sections, I was totally burnt out and didn't even look at the book until January to refresh for the Practicum. And while I was thrilled when I received my results, I was "only half-licensed" which is not licensed at all.
I'm saying this to myself and to you:
Take the test at your pace. Know yourself. Know what causes you stress and what brings you comfort. Know your limits. Budget your time. Budget your money. This worked for me for the above reasons, but your story is likely a bit different than mine. Oh, and for those of you who are tackling all three - mega admiration here!
Take the test at your pace. Know yourself. Know what causes you stress and what brings you comfort. Know your limits. Budget your time. Budget your money. This worked for me for the above reasons, but your story is likely a bit different than mine. Oh, and for those of you who are tackling all three - mega admiration here!
Love & Encouragement,
Carolyn
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