Part I Boards - First Hurdle to Becoming a Chiropractor

- Part I Boards - NBCE -

(aka HELL WEEK)

First question, what is Part I boards? Well, its basically an exam that tests ALL of your knowledge from the first 5 quarters worth of material that you have previously taken. [SEE BINDER PHOTO - Minus 5th Q binder].

This includes 6 Examination:

1. Gross Anatomy

2. Spinal Anatomy

3. Physiology

4. Chemistry

5. Microbiology

6. Pathology

ON TOP OF THAT.... I had my final exam week, the week before the weekend of boards which included 13 FINALS! How does someone accomplish studying for this many exams? Well... You just do! I have no idea on how to explain how crazy this week was and how I went about getting all of the studying in.

Basically all I can say is... DO NOT PROCRASTINATE

Some upper quarter students told some of my quarter that you don't need to study for boards.

My thoughts? That's a bunch of BS, because when I take exams now, I'm in the average grade category right now as it is, and there is NO WAY that I am not going to study for boards.

What I did - I studied two weeks in advance and multiple subjects throughout each day up until finals and boards.

Heck! I reviewed the Cranial Nerves, and what Foramina ("opening") they came out of on my drive to school... and guess what? That saved me big time on the boards! By looking over my study material for boards using Irene Gold, Chiro Essentials, and all of my old notes, I felt sooooo much more prepared that I would have if I didn't study.

[Above Photo] Quarter 1-4 (Missing 5th Q) Binders

Not only do you have to know the six subjects stated above for Boards...

You have to know the subcategories under those, such as:

- Neuroanatomy

- Human Development

- Histology

- Genetics

- Biochemistry 1-3

- Etc...

[Above Photo] Chiro Essentials = The Best Study Aid ever! > Irene Gold

This book basically helped me not feel like I failed the boards - Which a lot of people (I've heard) feel that way. Luckily, I didn't.

Also, UWS has the highest score for Boards in the Country, so that's a plus!!

[Above Photo] My pup Annabella watching me study for Finals and Boards

[Above Photo] My saving grace during finals week! Coconut Latte from "Spinal Tap" - our Campus Coffee Shop :)

Gotta love the cute little spine stamp on it!

 [Above Photo] All prepared for my PDX I Lab where I went into 5-6 different rooms and performed an Abdominal Exam, Checked BP, Lungs, Heart, etc...

It was such a blast! We also got tested on some of the material from the course on a form (fill-in-blank style)

[Above Photo] Got this big guy from a retiring Acupuncturist that my Aunt Kelly worked for! What a life saver! I am always thankful to my Aunt for helping me expand on my study aids.

I also got other spines, and other things that will help me along the way like books regarding radiology, pathology, etc...

CRUNCH TIME! 2 Exams down and 4 to go! Easy right?!?!

Well say that to someone who is given the hardest 4 exams on the same day! Haha

But ultimately, I got through it!

Starting Spring break was unreal.. It didn't click for the first day or so, because you're so used to mentally wearing yourself out by that point. I have been so EXHAUSTED these last two weeks. I literally took mid day naps the first week because of it.

I normally read during my breaks as well, but didn't really feel motivated for it. Which is probably do to that fact that it requires brain power.

Now I am slowly starting to get back to the feeling of normalcy and back to getting all of the rest that I need before I start back at school on Monday.

On a positive note! 5 more days of break for me! :)