subject: CTEL Preparation Advice for CTEL Test Prep Burnout [print this page] No matter how diligent you've been with your CTEL test prep
No matter how much you've studied about how to get your CLAD certification
No matter how careful you were to ensure that you got plenty of rest and exercise
You're feeling the symptoms come on. The symptoms that indicate that this could be it for your CTEL preparation. You're tired. Cranky. Groggy. And if one more person says "CTEL prep", you swear you could cry.
You, my friend, are suffering from CTEL test prep burnout.
Even the Best among Us Get Tired of CTEL Prep
If you've been studying so hard that your friends and family members have joked that your CTEL preparation is like a fifth limb, then it's no wonder that you're suffering from CTEL test prep burnout. And thanks to a lack of study guides with little to no information on how to study for this notoriously difficult exam, you probably thought that it was best to hold marathon CTEL preparation sessions.
And now you can't even look at your California Teacher of English Learners exam prep without getting a strong session to throw your study guides across the room.
Listen, I get it: as a CTEL test prep coach myself, I've seen hundreds of students who've all suffered from severe test study burnout. And I can assure you, it's not a pretty sight.
But there is hope for recovery you just have to be prepared to work hard for it.
How to Recover From CTEL Preparation Exhaustion
It's vital that you prioritize your recovery right away; otherwise, you're putting everything you've ever worked for at risk.
So if you feel like you can't turn another page of your CTEL prep guide, then this to-do list will help you get your review habits back on track stat!:
Holidays are a MUST for maintaining your CTEL test prep stamina. There's no way you can do any more marathon review sessions. Besides, marathon review sessions have actually proven to be detrimental to your testing knowledge. So stop burning the midnight oil and take the weekend off, for crying out loud!
Get the advice of someone who's been there before. Consider them like your project manager; they'll help you determine if your study schedule needs a revamp, or just a small tweak. Better still, ask a California teacher for advice on how they prepared for the exam. By realizing that you don't need to treat your test review as a second job, you'll calm down the marathon study sessions.
Have a social life! Nothing contributes to CTEL preparation burnout like removing yourself from your social life. Now, I'm not suggesting that you go out every single night, but continue doing what you love with friends and family. That way, when you come back to your test prep, you'll be energized and ready to study.
