As of this writing, I take Part I of the NBEO in six days. Six!
How do I feel? Not quite like panic, but I do feel a growing sense of urgency. Nervousness. Brain is a little tired.
The last time I studied like this was probably for the OAT, but even that can’t compare to the sheer volume of studying required for boards. Everything I’ve ever learned in optometry school thus far could be a question, just about.
I suppose the last time I did something truly analagous to the past few months was back in high school. I participated in Academic Decathlon, a program of which some of you may be familiar. In a nutshell, Decathlon was a team-based knowledge competition. Nine students (three with A averages, three with B averages, and three with C averages) competed with other teams in subjects such as math, social science, science, music, literature, art, economics, speech, interview, and essay. The first seven subjects listed above centered around a different theme (ie, China my senior year, and the Renaissance my junior year).
Particularly for my final year, Decathlon got pretty intense. I lived, ate, and breathed it for most of senior year. Therein lies a huge difference between then and now, I think. Learning from prior experience, I honestly have been more relaxed this time around with studying. Let the information flow. Plus, the semester doesn’t stop simply because boards are around the corner. Classes still have tests, patients still come to clinic, clubs still have events and need leading. When studying for boards, balance becomes more important than ever.
Another difference is the type of material, of course. Do I remember much about climatology, or the order of dynasties in China? Ha! I once could rattle off everything about those topics. But of course, with boards, I will need this information for the rest of my career, so hopefully I’ll retain everything that I need.
Studying for boards, just like preparing for Decathlon, is certainly a grueling, difficult process. It may seem like an impossibility, but remember that classes upon classes of optometrists passed them too; as will you. You will be well prepared, and you know more than you realize. Ha, I say this for you as much as I say it for me (…maybe more so for me!) Indeed, I will need such confidence six days from now. But until then – back to review!