The looming spector of boards!!!

[Eyegirl2k7]

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I am going to fail boards. I seriously feel like I am going to fail boards. Here i am at ICO studying like crazy for my ocular disease final (saturday) and my contact lens final (monday) and I haven't really studied for boards that much yet. Nor, it appears, have others in my class. I can't foresee getting to it until tuesday afternoon since monday night i have clinic and tuesday am i have clinic.

The worst thing about taking it again would be the cost.

OH GOD. I'm DEAD.

Eyegirl.

 

[OD07]

I'm right there with you! I've had a family problem to deal with for the last 3 weeks (right before my horrific clinic experience), so I know exactly how you feel!

On the plus side, I remember talking to some upperclassmen who said that they only really studied hard for 3 weeks. I soooooo hope that was really true!!!

Good luck eyegirl

 

[xmattODx]

I am going to fail boards. I seriously feel like I am going to fail boards. Here i am at ICO studying like crazy for my ocular disease final (saturday) and my contact lens final (monday) and I haven't really studied for boards that much yet. Nor, it appears, have others in my class. I can't foresee getting to it until tuesday afternoon since monday night i have clinic and tuesday am i have clinic.

The worst thing about taking it again would be the cost.

OH GOD. I'm DEAD.

Eyegirl.

I studied for boards Part I for two weeks (with a few hours thrown in here and there prior to those two weeks). The middle weekend of those two weeks was spent at a music festival. The absolute WORST thing to do when it comes to boards is to stress out. Relax. Study as much as you can. The calmer you are while writing the exam the better you will do. You are NOT going to know every answer. You'll feel like you know none of the answers. RELAX everyone is feeling the same way.

Good luck,

 

[r_salis]

Matt -- how did you study? Did you use your class notes, a review guide (which one?), both? I'm feeling so overwhelmed right now, I don't know what the best plan of attack is.

 

[rpames]

Last night I actually had my first panic attack about Part I. It is crunch time and I don't think I can possibly crunch enough. I have been studying for a lot longer than most people in the class, but I also feel that most people in the class can memorize better than I can.

I went through a couple sections in the Examination Review book by Casser et.al. and I got a ton wrong. If I get the same percent on boards as I am on those test, there is no way I will pass. Has anyone used that book, and how does it compare to the real thing?

 

[cpw]

that casser book is BRUTAL !! Do NOT use that to judge how much you know or you'll be crying by the end of the week !

The only thing you can do for Part One is study as much as you can and hope it's enough. EVERYONE comes out of it thinking they failed. I studied for about five to six weeks.. four really HARD study weeks though, the first two was mainly getting crap-ola organized. (cuz I'm anal like that)

Since I know someone will ask:

I studied the Berekeley Guide and Schwartz's Visual Perception. Although, I've heard they changed the exam a little in the last two years so I'l talk to someone who took it last year as to what it's like.

And once you're through Part 1 .. it's all downhill !!! Part 2 is SO MUCH EASIER !! (not easy, just easier)

 

[rpames]

that casser book is BRUTAL !! Do NOT use that to judge how much you know or you'll be crying by the end of the week !

Cry by the end of the week...I've already started! I'm glad to hear the book is hard, b/c as I said above, I'm not doing to well with it.

Thanks CPW 👍

 

[Eyegirl2k7]

Yay, studying. Taking an SDN break after cramming a million pictures of damaged retinas in my head.

Thank goodness about the Casser book. My roommate had it and I tried to do a section out of it last week. It was wretched.

I sure hope I can cram it all in in two weeks, because that's all teh time I've got!!! I am pretty good at memorization but optics might slay me!


Eyegirl.

 

[cpw]

Cry by the end of the week...I've already started! I'm glad to hear the book is hard, b/c as I said above, I'm not doing to well with it.

Thanks CPW 👍

yeah.. that book killed me too. You'll do great ! Just remember when in doubt it's "B" not "C". 🙂

 

[xmattODx]

Matt -- how did you study? Did you use your class notes, a review guide (which one?), both? I'm feeling so overwhelmed right now, I don't know what the best plan of attack is.

First be smart about what you study. They tell you what is on the test. I did NOT study any anatomy other than the eye. It didn't seem worth my time to cram all that in for the few questions that would be on the test. If the section only made up a small percentage of the total test I ignored it.

I studied some sections of the Berkley guide, some of my class notes (in areas I thought were superior - pharm, systemic disease), I concentrated on Schwartz and Remington (ocular anatomy)

Note: Part I was 5 years ago for me so take what I say with a grain of salt. I repeat, the best thing that you can do is relax! Have fun with what you study. It should interest you after all. Learn for the sake of learning not for some stupid exam. When the test date rolls around just breathe and do your best. This test does not determine your worth as a human being, nor does it determine how good or bad of an OD you'll be!

Good luck!

 

[OD07]

I've been trying to study for the board exam, but I don't feel like anything is sticking! I know I can't study for this like I study for midterms or finals because there just isn't time to memorize every little thing, but on the other hand I don't feel like I'm doing much more than skimming or getting really stressed out.

Just had to vent.

Eyegirl - I can't believe ICO is making you take courses over the summer in addition to being in clinic and studying for boards! 😱

 

[cpw]

Eyegirl - I can't believe ICO is making you take courses over the summer in addition to being in clinic and studying for boards! 😱

I can't either... they only made us be in clinic half the summer so we could study. (they split the class in half and you went either first or second half of the summer) that's it.

Good luck guys! I know what you mean about the studying !!! (see sig)

 

[rpames]

Although I agree w/ Eyegirl that taking classes, going to clinic, and studying has been a little rough...a lot rough, our schedule is actually pretty light. We have only really had 8 hours of lecture, 4 hrs lab, and 7-8 hrs of clinic per week. Although I know I would have taken advantage of the summer off, who here really thinks the majority of the class would have actually studied more than the 2 weeks we do get off?

I'm off to finish the optics section.

 

[r_salis]

I can't either... they only made us be in clinic half the summer so we could study. (they split the class in half and you went either first or second half of the summer) that's it.

Same thing for us.

3 days for FL boards? *Sheesh* they make it difficult to practice down there, don't they?!

 

[rpames]

Same thing for us.

3 days for FL boards? *Sheesh* they make it difficult to practice down there, don't they?!

I was told that they make it so hard b/c so many older ODs would retire from up north and then move to Florida and set up part time. Therefore they make it hard in an attempt to discourage every 65 y/o OD in the US from opening an office.

 

[cpw]

I was told that they make it so hard b/c so many older ODs would retire from up north and then move to Florida and set up part time. Therefore they make it hard in an attempt to discourage every 65 y/o OD in the US from opening an office.

they solve that by making you pass the NBEO in the last five years.. if you haven't, you're taking it again. That discourages a LOT of older docs. If you're even REMOTELY interested in practicing in FL.. get your license the year you graduate.

 

[Opii]

I feel your pain.

 

[Ben Chudner]

they solve that by making you pass the NBEO in the last five years.. if you haven't, you're taking it again. That discourages a LOT of older docs. If you're even REMOTELY interested in practicing in FL.. get your license the year you graduate.

In all honesty, the hardest part about the Florida boards in 1997 was finishing the law exam in the time allowed. We got 60 minutes to answer 50 questions. It was open book, but if you are not organized it can take time to look up some of the answers. Good Luck.

Also, try to get ahold of the "study guide" the NOVA students have. Luckily, one of my residency classmates graduated from NOVA. They have compiled a list for the differential diagnosis section. Makes it very easy to study for it.

 

[cpw]

In all honesty, the hardest part about the Florida boards in 1997 was finishing the law exam in the time allowed. We got 60 minutes to answer 50 questions. It was open book, but if you are not organized it can take time to look up some of the answers. Good Luck.

Also, try to get ahold of the "study guide" the NOVA students have. Luckily, one of my residency classmates graduated from NOVA. They have compiled a list for the differential diagnosis section. Makes it very easy to study for it.

now that law is only 25 questions and we get an hour and a half. But, I still have to get an 85.

I didn't get a NOVA study guide (don't know any NOVA students) but I work with a former board member who used to teach a class on the exam. So, I have his study guide and him to pimp me daily at work... 🙂 He's great !!

 

[rpames]

... him to pimp me daily at work... 🙂 He's great !!

Maybe I'm not up on the FL lingo, but "pimping" you seems to be a little out side his scope of practice, but that eye exam sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[cpw]

Maybe I'm not up on the FL lingo, but "pimping" you seems to be a little out side his scope of practice, but that eye exam sounds like a lot of fun.

it's slang for quizzing .... But otherwise yes, outside the scope of practice good thing I work with his wife too 😀

 

[Eyegirl2k7]

I hate studying for boards so much!! It is so frustrating. I have no idea what I'm supposed to know. I'm studying the Berkeley guide and our board review notes but I feel like nothiing is sinking in. I'm studying all day from 9am to midnight and not learning anything. I really, really really hate this.

Darn it, I can't figure out where that computer throwing smiley is.
I'll settle for this one 😡

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

I hate studying for boards so much!! It is so frustrating. I have no idea what I'm supposed to know. I'm studying the Berkeley guide and our board review notes but I feel like nothiing is sinking in. I'm studying all day from 9am to midnight and not learning anything. I really, really really hate this.

Darn it, I can't figure out where that computer throwing smiley is.
I'll settle for this one 😡

It draws ever so closer doesn't it? I didn't really feel like the Berkeley guide was all that great. I thought it was extermely poor at Pharmacology, Pathology, and Optics. They devote I think almost 50 pages just to general anatomy pictures. I'm sure as long as you study mostly from class notes, and reason the multiple answers down to two or three, you'll be ok. You have way more than enough time to complete each section. You'll be fine, but I could have sworn that my heart stopped the moment that I opened that letter that let me know that I passed.

Good luck to everyone.

Just think when you're done with part one I still have to go through part 2 in December.

 

[r_salis]

Eyegirl -- I couldn't find a barfing smiley, but this one seems to sum up how I feel about studying for boards pretty well:

I need to find a better review for pathology -- our class notes are crappy, and the Berkeley guide isn't great either. I'm not liking Neuro either.

I have to get to Starbucks early today so I can get my favorite seat.

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

Eyegirl -- I couldn't find a barfing smiley, but this one seems to sum up how I feel about studying for boards pretty well:

I need to find a better review for pathology -- our class notes are crappy, and the Berkeley guide isn't great either. I'm not liking Neuro either.

I have to get to Starbucks early today so I can get my favorite seat.

I actually used this book for pathology and found it very helpful. Also part two again has 70 questions on pathology to cover. Its about 300 pages and has question at the end of each section to quiz you on. You can pick and choose which chapters to read. Short, concise, and a good book for about 30 bucks.

Pathology: Board Review Series
by Arthur S. Schneider, Philip A. Szanto
ISBN: 0683302655

Good luck all

 

[cpw]

I have to get to Starbucks early today so I can get my favorite seat.

me too... last full day to study for me ...

 

[girlscallmepogi]

What exactly are boards exams? Are those the exams you take after opt school to be a certified OD?

I did search too, thanks.

 

[r_salis]

What exactly are boards exams? Are those the exams you take after opt school to be a certified OD?

I did search too, thanks.

The board exams are 3 separate exams (Part I, II and III) -- basic sci, clinical sci, and patient care. The 1st one is taken after your 2nd year, the 2nd and 3rd parts are taken during your 4th year. You're required to pass these, along with state-specific exams, to be licensed to practice in the US. The NBEO is responsible for administering the exams, more info here: http://www.optometry.org/exam_descriptions.cfm .

 

[r_salis]

me too... last full day to study for me ...

Good luck!!! 😀

(I'm so jealous that you're going to be done with your exam and I'm still going to have to study until next week!!! Aaaaarrrrrgghhhh!!!)

 

[cpw]

Good luck!!! 😀

(I'm so jealous that you're going to be done with your exam and I'm still going to have to study until next week!!! Aaaaarrrrrgghhhh!!!)

yeah, well, I already paid my dues 😉
and thanks for the

 

[John_Q]

yeah, well, I already paid my dues 😉
and thanks for the

I could only imagine how hard the boards must be, since I'm only in college. This is still a long ways away for me in taking these. I just hope that I don't bomb them, and can pass them on the first time around.

 

[rpames]

I could only imagine how hard the boards must be, since I'm only in college. This is still a long ways away for me in taking these. I just hope that I don't bomb them, and can pass them on the first time around.

They are closer than you think, I still feel like a first year, but I'm taking them in 7 days!!!!

 

[drbizzaro]

good luck to all you board takers...

remember to bring raisins! 👍 (my friend who took the OAT, said that everyone sitting had a box of raisins because of a study book, although i know this will be quite different - a much longer and more intense exam)

 

[r_salis]

Update: 5 more study days left.

😱

 

[cpw]

as we say in the lounge's antenna thead: "you can dooooo eeeeeeettttt !!! "

My studying is over 😀 Now, I wait for mom to fly in tomorrow to be my patient for my final practical on Sunday morning. (yay driving to Ft Lauderdale!!)

 

[Rosanna]

Update: 5 more study days left.

😱

It is surreal how fast time passes. And what's with all those rules in the registration packet? 🙂 I love how they recommend that you bring a 16 fl. oz water bottle that has a nipple-top to avoid spills. My friend and I only found 23 fl. oz bottles, I hope they won't kick us out for bringing too much water. 😛

Anyone has any plans after the boards are over? I unfortunately have clinic the days after on Thurs, Fri, and Sat! However, we do get a week off afterwards so I'll be going to Vegas. 😀

- Rosanna

 

[r_salis]

And what's with all those rules in the registration packet? 🙂 I love how they recommend that you bring a 16 fl. oz water bottle that has a nipple-top to avoid spills.

And don't forget that it has to be a *clear* beverage! 😉 I'm not sure I understand the reasoning about being able to keep your cellphone as long as the battery has been removed. I'm just going to leave it off in my knapsack.

I wish I was going to Vegas (or Ft. Lauderdale)! My husband and I are definitely going to hit the eastern shore for a long weekend... or two. 😀

 

[rpames]

I wish I was going to Vegas (or Ft. Lauderdale)! My husband and I are definitely going to hit the eastern shore for a long weekend... or two. 😀

My wife and I are going to FL, St.Pete's beach area the week after boards. We have clinic that week but my last day is Wed, so we are leaving Thurs morning. Her parents moved down there this past year and we are going to visit. I'm looking forward to the pool more then the in-laws.

 

[cpw]

My wife and I are going to FL, St.Pete's beach area the week after boards. We have clinic that week but my last day is Wed, so we are leaving Thurs morning. Her parents moved down there this past year and we are going to visit. I'm looking forward to the pool more then the in-laws.

That's only 10 miles or so from me 🙂 PM if me you want to meet up for dinner some night while you're here ! I'd love to meet ya and the wife. Although, there's an off chance I'm going scuba diving in Jupiter that weekend. 😀

 

[Eyegirl2k7]

I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS.

well, I do. 😀

3 more days.

Eyegirl

 

[drbizzaro]

I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS.

well, I do. 😀

3 more days.

Eyegirl

i hear ya! i hear ya! 😎

 

[r_salis]

I can't wait for this to be over!!!

 

[r_salis]

What optics formulas should I memorize? A lot of them I've used so much that I don't need to memorize them -- vergence formula, Snell's law, the power/radius/index formula -- but which others should I try to remember?

 

[drbizzaro]

What optics formulas should I memorize? A lot of them I've used so much that I don't need to memorize them -- vergence formula, Snell's law, the power/radius/index formula -- but which others should I try to remember?

know image jump for sure!

 

[Rosanna]

-- vergence formula, Snell's law, the power/radius/index formula

Mag due to shape and power, Mag of Telescopes, critical angle equations, Brewster's angle (=arctan n2/n1), sag equations, MBS calculation, Prentice's, Prism thickness, SSRIs...

That's all I can think of right now! =)

- Rosanna

 

[drbizzaro]

I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS.

well, I do. 😀

3 more days.

Eyegirl

check out the cute cartoon i made

 

[drbizzaro]

I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS I HATE BOARDS.

well, I do. 😀

3 more days.

Eyegirl

take a look at the cartoon i made

 

[hoosier1]

Good luck on the boards you guys...I am sure you guys will do great!

🙂

 

[drbizzaro]

Good luck on the boards you guys...I am sure you guys will do great!

🙂

the board are over now 🙂 (as of noon today)