Let’s be honest.
Nobody likes studying, or at least I know I didn’t. This is especially true when you’re studying subjects you’re not interested in or you may not understand that well.
However, it goes without saying that the amount of time you put into studying and doing the work will directly affect your test score. And when it comes to your score on a civil service test to get on a fire department, that work and that score matters.
Here are four simple tips I use to force myself to sit down, do the work and learn the material.
1. Dedicate time
That sounds really simple and obvious, right? But be honest, have you intentionally blocked out time on calendar dedicated only to studying for your written test?
Most people don’t, and it’s OK if you haven’t done so yet. But it’s important you start now.
Being intentional about what you are doing and forcing yourself to make time for studying is the first hurdle you need to overcome to passing your written exam.
2. Start with the end
It’s really easy to just say, “I want to pass my test” and leave it there. But that’s not specific enough.
I want you to get specific, very specific. What score do you want? What number on the list do you want to finish? Number one? Top five? Top 10?
Be specific about what you want and take the time to write it down.
From there work backward. Figure out what subjects you struggle with the most and start spending more time there.
I don’t mean spend five minutes here and there. I mean spend significant time dedicated to those questions. Remember you should already have time blocked in your calendar for this.
3. Procrastinate procrastinating
I once heard someone say the best way to stop procrastinating is to put off procrastinating. In other words, procrastinate procrastinating.
Whenever you feel the urge to suddenly clean your car, wash the dishes or do something else that can be put off for later, that should be a trigger to you that you know you need to get to work.
If you’re anything like me, you are online a lot. Whether it be your computer, phone or tablet, the distractions are endless – especially if you get sucked into the black hole that is social media. Turn off your devices and study.
4. Get a tutor
If you’re one of those geniuses who is able to look at a page of numbers and immediately memorize them, this may not be for you.
But if you’re like the rest of us, it is 100 times more helpful to have someone show you exactly how to work through different practice questions.
Here’s the bad news: tutoring can be expensive.
The good news is that there are online options for a fraction of the cost of an in-person tutor. One is a program I run called Firefighter Classroom.
If you’re one of the thousands of people who would benefit from the use of a tutor, then you’re going to want to check out Firefighter Classroom.
Making a well-planned and well-executed effort on studying for your civil service exam will boost your score and your chances of landing a job.
