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Live Hard, Study Hard: Studying for the CIH Exam without Sacrificing Your Life

Presented by:

Megan Canright, MPH, CIH


• This exam is very difficult

• You cannot cram for this exam

and be successful

• Seriously… even if you have a

photographic memory,

cramming will not get you a

passing score

• Comprehensive understanding

of concepts is key

Overview


• Step 1: Decide your exam date

• Step 2: Calculate a reasonable amount of

time to devote to studying each week

• Step 3: Determine your strengths, start with

your weaknesses

• Step 4: Approach studying one day at a time

• Remember, stick to your commitment; don’t

let studying take over your life!

Overview


• You need a hot date…with your exam

• Set your goal well in advance, I suggest at

least six months

• Things to consider:

– How much experience do you

have?

– Do you have expertise in some of the rubrics?

– Will you need a prep course?

– How are you with numbers?

– Does your S.O. know about this??

Step 1: Set a date!


• Most of you have other things to worry about

– Job

– Family

– Solo time

– Social life? (maybe not)

• Determine a REASONABLE amount of time

you can devote to studying, each week (~10

hours)

• Work an “off-day” into your schedule

• We’re not talking Outliers here, Bill Gates

Step 2: Set aside some time


• Why? If you don’t….

– You’ll burn yourself out

– You’ll burn your friends and family out

– What should be a positive experience will turn

sour

– You don’t have to prove that you’re smart, we

already know you are

– This isn’t high school; the days of needing

straight A’s to get into college are over

– It’s called work-life balance, people



• You’re an overachiever, aren’t you?!

• Commit to a time; stick to it; don’t go into OT

• How to avoid OT:

– Take the first/last few minutes to get organized

– Stick to your study plan

– e.g., first hour: concept review, second hour:

practice problems/equations

– Tackle only one or two major concepts per

session

– Don’t get distracted, isolate yourself



• Before your study sessions:

– Inform your boss/S.O./family of your dedicated study time

– Don’t overdose on coffee or No-Doz

– Relax…maybe a little yoga?

• During study sessions:

– Turn your phone, t.v., pager off

– If you are frustrated, take a break or move on and return to

it later

• After your study sessions:

– Relax…again

– Do something fun to take your mind off the exam

– Get plenty of rest

Tips for a Balanced Session


Step 3: Strengths/Weaknesses

• Where are your strengths?

– What have you studied before?

– Are you a math freak? Science nerd?

– What comes easiest to you?

– Be confident in what you already know!

• Set them aside…focus on your weakest

areas first

– Rank your weakest concentrations

– If you study your weakest areas first, you’ll

have plenty of time to seek help, if needed


Toxicology Ventilation

Ethics?

YOU


• Stick to what you’ve committed

– This presentation doesn’t give you a hall pass

• You’ve set aside regular study time for a

reason – do it, don’t overdo it.

• If you need help, there are plenty of

resources available (see other presentations)

• Taking on too many subjects at once will

make you study-crazy

• Keep this exam in perspective…

Step 4: One Day at a Time…


• This exam is one of the most important

steps you’ll take in your professional career

• Your family and personal time are the most

important things in your life, don’t sacrifice

them

• You can take the exam over again

• If your kids or friends disown you, who are

you going to celebrate with when you pass?

Step 4: One Day at a Time…

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PASS


• Congratulate yourself!

• Get a massage

• Throw yourself a party (pity parties count!)

• Take your significant other out on a thank-

you date

• If you passed… put your study materials

away – don’t burn them! – Keep them for reference, trust me

• Decide whether you want a stamp or

embosser

Post Exam



16

Questions?



17

Thank You

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