Stress can you ruin your board scores. It sounds like a cliché but actually it is true! Stress leads to fight, flight, or freeze scenarios. When our autonomic nervous systems are out of balance, we can go into overdrive or we can freeze up completely depending upon whether the adrenergic nervous system or the parasympathetic nervous system is over-activated. Neither one of these is helpful for a good outcome in your test scores.
Acute stress and chronic stress can both… Click to Read More
Studying for the Boards: 5 Tips to Minimize Procrastinating
Welcome. It’s Dr. Jack and I have 5 tips for you on how to minimize procrastination when it comes to studying for the boards.
Tip 1: De-Emotionalize the Job You Have to Do
My first tip is based on a thought experiment. I’d like you to take a minute to imagine that you have a clone of yourself, and your clone is identical to you. They have the same bright smile and winning personality that you do. There is… Click to Read More
Board Exam Prep: How to Avoid Study Procrastination
I received a request from a colleague preparing for their psychiatry board exam. Today I tackle this fairly common problem in board exam prep by explaining procrastination, its formation, and treatment.
Procrastination is a type of avoidance, and avoidance is a common strategy used by many to cope with unpleasant life situations and also is part of several psychiatric conditions. Any disorder with “phobia” in its name is a type of avoidance. The problem with avoidance is that often it… Click to Read More
Sleep and Board Exams
I’m about to tell you something so obvious you may want to throw something at me. Despite the apparent obviousness, many exam candidates still will make the mistake I’m about to describe and do so for entirely understandable reasons. Let me explain why sleep and board exams is so important.
On the day (or several days) prior to your exam, your anxiety level likely will increase. You may realize you are not as prepared as you would like to be… Click to Read More




