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mgilman
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| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 09:41 pm |
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I've been at home for 2 days with a sick child, have songs from The Wiggles and Dora going around nonstop in my head, and am having a hard time cracking General Structures. Not so bad in all, at least I have the flexibility to be with my little ones. For that I'm grateful.
The bigger issue is that I'm really having a tough time getting my head around GS. I've been dipping into too many sources and getting too stressed out over it. I just need to calm down. Problem is, I've set a deadline for myself of end of June to test in GS, and don't want to switch it (for many reasons, but I know I may have to change the date if I don't get further into the material soon).
Feel like I'm a week and a half behind from where I want to be - and also feeling burned out. Being home with a sick child is feeling like a strangely guilty pleasure (although I'm sad he's sick, obviously) - but it's a valid excuse to not study!
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RK
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 19th, 2004 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 252 |
| Exams Taken: | | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | HMFIC |
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 10:16 pm |
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Been there, done that. For me it was winnie the pooh song. Man I couldn't get it out of my head. Sometimes you just need to step back and say what the ****. Let everything go and start back up at the beginning again.
Didn't Antoine Ego say "I'd like to order a bit of perspective." Ratatouille I think. 
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sjansen
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| Joined: | Fri Jan 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Middle America, USA |
| Posts: | 195 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | sleep,wait,eat,wait,work,wait, eat,wait,work,wait,repeat. |
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 11:15 pm |
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you are not alone in trying to get into structures right now, either. i am finding that it's really been difficult to make myself sit and study for it. i am also scheduled for the end of june and really don't want to reschedule. i am looking at it this way, i scheduled the exam and i have from now until 3 days before to get ready. if i really can't get it together in that time i will pay the $35 and scoot the test, but until i am 3 days out at least i have a deadline and that forces a little motivation...
since i can't seem to shake the restlessness with the structures i have been trying to use that to my advantage, studying in different locations to keep it from getting to monotonous (ie- my deck or yard, coffee shops, local restaurant patios, etc...) studying outside helps me. when i started i swore that i wouldn't study in public because that would mean too much money spent on coffee, etc., but for structures i am making the exception sometimes. it's been working.
hope that helps! hang in there and good luck!
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Wed Jun 4th, 2008 11:53 pm |
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Thanks all!
I was thinking about taking my studies back to the library, actually. That helped. Having a child sick at home means I'll have to wait a while - for now only studying at night after kidlets are asleep. I already work from home p/t (while kids are in an extended day preschool) so my base is really here.
I also am giving myself until 3 days before to GO FOR it! I'd rather reschedule and pass than rush it, fail, and wait 6 months - I just really wanted to be done everything by end of summer! Also that darned calculator rule has me convinced I need to take GS before July (although I have LF in July and will have to use the onscreen calc then).
Good luck, see you around GS!
p.s. sjansen, it looks like we've had almost the same exam trajectory, save MM - congrats on getting all your graphics out of the way!
Last edited on Wed Jun 4th, 2008 11:54 pm by mgilman
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brudgers
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 1st, 2006 |
| Location: | The Moment |
| Posts: | 7345 |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 12:29 am |
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mgilman wrote: I've been at home for 2 days with a sick child, have songs from The Wiggles and Dora going around nonstop in my head, and am having a hard time cracking General Structures. Not so bad in all, at least I have the flexibility to be with my little ones. For that I'm grateful.
The bigger issue is that I'm really having a tough time getting my head around GS. I've been dipping into too many sources and getting too stressed out over it. I just need to calm down. Problem is, I've set a deadline for myself of end of June to test in GS, and don't want to switch it (for many reasons, but I know I may have to change the date if I don't get further into the material soon).
Feel like I'm a week and a half behind from where I want to be - and also feeling burned out. Being home with a sick child is feeling like a strangely guilty pleasure (although I'm sad he's sick, obviously) - but it's a valid excuse to not study!
It may take longer to get in the swing with structures because most architects rarely perform this type of calculation.
That is why I always reccommend preparing for the tests and then scheduling them as you become comfortable with the material.
If you can't bring yourself to slog through structures, consider studying something else along with it
For the bigger picture the important thing is to keep moving - the goal is a license not taking structures by July 1.
For the whole picture there's no reason to feel guilty about spending time with your child in lieu of studying...at least that's how it looks from where I stand...there are priorities and then there's what's right and good.
Just remember that when you have your license, you will have even more flexibility...and that will make doing what's important even easier.
When you get there, no one will care about when you took your exams or how long it took you to finish them.
Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy!
Last edited on Thu Jun 5th, 2008 12:31 am by brudgers
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alomu
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| Joined: | Thu Jan 17th, 2008 |
| Location: | Missouri USA |
| Posts: | 575 |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 12:49 am |
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| Well said brudgers.
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mgilman
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| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 01:05 am |
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brudgers wrote:
Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy!
Oh my god you've entered our house telepathically....that's their favorite song....
...thanks for the kind words (the other non-wiggles words, that is!).
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sjansen
Member
| Joined: | Fri Jan 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Middle America, USA |
| Posts: | 195 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | sleep,wait,eat,wait,work,wait, eat,wait,work,wait,repeat. |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 02:34 pm |
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mgilman- you are right, we have a very similar path for these tests. i have gs at the end of the month, then a short break before lf at the beginning of july. i, too, am trying to get through these exams by the end of summer. not a super compressed schedule, but one that doesn't drag it out longer than necessary. i haven't decided exactly what to take after structures, but i am really looking forward to having them out of the way!
hang in there, and i hope everyone in your house feels better soon!
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 02:36 pm |
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| thanks....toddler 2 is climbing the walls and hyper so I think he's on the mend!
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ecoarch
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| Joined: | Tue Apr 29th, 2008 |
| Location: | SO CAL, California USA |
| Posts: | 55 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | www.synrgydesign.com |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 02:44 pm |
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i know how you feel...i was half way done with my test when we had our first kid...tried to finish most of them before she was born -- 8 months pregnant sitting in front of the computer trying to concentrate on a test was not the best situation...finished the ARE between number 1 and number 2 and took the CSE a few months after my second was born
it is very hard juggling kids and studying -- but you shouldn't feel guilty about it...i used to feel guilty about all the time i was spending away from my kids so that i could study but i had a very supportive husband (an architect as well) who kept reminding me it was only for a short period of time and that i would be helping them more but passing the tests and being an architect so that i could spend the time with them when they really needed it
now i'm licensed and working on my own from my house and i get to see the kids all day long - take them to preschool and make them lunch -- so a few months when they were little babies wasn't soo bad after all
try going away from the house since you work from home and study
i always liked going to the beach or a park -- get out doors
i hated structures cause of all the numbers and formulas you had to remember -- i made flash cards and would have someone test me on them or just test myself when ever i got the chance
good luck!
say hi to wags and captain feathersword for me!
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Far Galaxy
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| Joined: | Tue Jun 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Apprx 32.2degrees N Latitude |
| Posts: | 1254 |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 03:01 pm |
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mgilman, let's try this.
let's skip all math related reading and spend you time on vocabularies and concepts in the next 2 weeks. Flashcards is the best jumpstart for pretty much any MC section because flashcards provide you those basic definitions that help you comprehensively understanding what Kaplan and Ballast are talking about. Once you get really good at concepts from now til the next 2weeks, spend 4days on just the math part only. You will be surprised how quickly everything comes together as you study concepts and math separately and as you group the maths together. And don't worry too much about the calculator issue. The math questions actually require more of logical thinking than pushing the buttons. On screen cal. is plenty. You will spend more time on solving the prob. on scratch paper. I have been starting out with my flashcards and truly understood all the terms on the 1st week of study for every single MC that I took and I thought it worked perfectly. And on my last one, ME. I do it again, and it's working well for me
Good luck
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9before30
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jan 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 43 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | DONE |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 10:31 pm |
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I agree with fargalaxy...I have ME in a few weeks, and rather than jump into Ballast or Kaplan I am spending the first week flipping through the mechanical section of Ching's Building Construction Illustrated to get the general idea of what I will be studying. I can't remember how I jumped into Structures (I think I blocked that from my brain) but this is helping immensely...slooooowly easing into topics that I otherwise have little knowledge of, the idea being that by the time I read the real study guides I will already have the basic concepts understood. At least that's the plan...
And thanks for reminding me of why I am doing this now instead of putting it off a few more years, before kids arrive and Wiggles and Barney and Dora take over what is left of my brain...you parents amaze me!!
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dottie
Architect
| Joined: | Fri Sep 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Wasilla, Alaska USA |
| Posts: | 1001 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Taking Northern Design Course & passed the LEED test |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 10:57 pm |
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Hello mgilman,
I am a mother of two boys who are now fairly self reliant. This allows me to work at my computer after supper with only a few interuptions. So, now after 13 years, I am testing.
It is really bad how I did general structures........I was going to reschedule it, but missed the deadline, unknowingly. They said I would just have to pay full price if I missed it. This was the day before it was scheduled, I hadn't cracked a single book open. So, I left work that afternoon, studied at home all afternoon. Took the kids to some movie at the school they were showing, I studied in the teacher's lounge while they did that. Studied until about midnight, slept until 6 am. Went through flashcards while getting kids off to school. Took the notes from the FTP site and flash cards into Anchorage with me and took the test at noon. I figured that if I failed, since paying full price anyways, I would leave knowing what to expect in 6 months.
I have some friends who failed GS multiple times. I sort of feel guilty, but relieved, I passed the dang thing. I skipped all the calculations and came back to them. Some how in the cramming, I remembered how to calculate moments and the general stuff from college 15 years ago since structures. I have had a bunch of good experience in the field.
Let me stress, I do not recommend the cramming for 24 hours for anybody, the ARE Gods were with me. To be honest, I really did know the answers to many questions, or should I say, felt confindent with my answers. After taking a test, I never feel confindent because I don't want my hopes squished when I get a fail letter.
Relax, study and understand. You will be very suprised on how much you know. Be logical in your thinking. USE THE FORUM! Most of my information came from the FTP site here and comments. I really didn't have all the time to read the books. Great stuff here.
Good luck, 3 weeks away should be plenty of time.
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Xavier
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| Joined: | Tue Jul 10th, 2007 |
| Location: | USA |
| Posts: | 670 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | |
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Posted: Thu Jun 5th, 2008 11:28 pm |
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| Look at the positive....
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mgilman
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| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 01:37 pm |
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I don't know why I've let GS make me so crazy. With every other exam I've had, there have been you name it - changes in childcare, family illnesses, holidays, visitors, unpredictable situations - and I've just rolled with it. I've always found little portions of my day in which to study if it's a time when I can't get a long stretch in. It's been a challenge but I wouldn't say a hardship.
With GS, I've become nutty about trying to fit it in wherever I can and feel guilty when I don't. Not sure why, because I'm not actually feeling that productive. I've let the stress of GS dictate my process and my life and priorities instead of the other way around. It's actually been very good to slow down for a few days and reorder my sense of direction.
In the meantime, toddler 2 is doing much better, my mom is coming for a visit tonight for 3 weeks and is going to help my husband and me out a lot, and tomorrow I'm going to jump back into GS, taking a deep breath first!
Thanks everyone for the moral support!
Last edited on Fri Jun 6th, 2008 01:37 pm by mgilman
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Far Galaxy
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| Joined: | Tue Jun 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Apprx 32.2degrees N Latitude |
| Posts: | 1254 |
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 02:45 pm |
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mgilman wrote: I don't know why I've let GS make me so crazy. With every other exam I've had, there have been you name it - changes in childcare, family illnesses, holidays, visitors, unpredictable situations - and I've just rolled with it. I've always found little portions of my day in which to study if it's a time when I can't get a long stretch in. It's been a challenge but I wouldn't say a hardship.
With GS, I've become nutty about trying to fit it in wherever I can and feel guilty when I don't. Not sure why, because I'm not actually feeling that productive. I've let the stress of GS dictate my process and my life and priorities instead of the other way around. It's actually been very good to slow down for a few days and reorder my sense of direction.
In the meantime, toddler 2 is doing much better, my mom is coming for a visit tonight for 3 weeks and is going to help my husband and me out a lot, and tomorrow I'm going to jump back into GS, taking a deep breath first!
Thanks everyone for the moral support!
It's super common for most of us feeling our lives are so dull while doing this ARE deal. Another words, you are doing great, so keep at it. When there's time when you don't feel like studying, just let it drift that day and don't be too hard on yourself. I bet you will have this saying in your head when you are close to the finish line, "gosh, why did I put such a tremendous amount of pressure on myself for these exams. I shoulda just enjoy it while at it." So work hard on it, but don't work too hard. Just hard enuf to pass
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 02:51 pm |
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I think I've way overstudied for all the exams I've done so far, but I passed all of them, and that's the goal. The only one I "understudied" for was LEED, and I passed that too (but the 1-2 days of cramming was way more stressful for LEED than for all the other exams b/c of the pace!). Slow and steady seems to be the best way - or should I say, regular, steady and focused. GS has not been like that so far, but hopefully I'll have a turnaround in the next week.
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brudgers
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| Joined: | Thu Jun 1st, 2006 |
| Location: | The Moment |
| Posts: | 7345 |
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 04:04 pm |
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GS is based on things most architects don't do everyday, and revisiting a typically stressful time in one's academic career...advanced studio.
The structures tests are probably the most difficult to get in the swing of, but also those for which getting in the swing pays the biggest dividend.
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arch_hs
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| Joined: | Wed Jan 17th, 2007 |
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| Posts: | 111 |
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Posted: Fri Jun 6th, 2008 07:52 pm |
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Hi Mgilman,
I am also trying to finish my exams soon since my 1-year old is growing fast and needs lot more time and attention everyday.
I am jumping onto GS/LF together next. My strategy is to quickly review some notes and flashcards and then to enroll Marc Mitalski's online-anytime seminar. I guess, it would make me stay focused rather that keeping my head in the books just to understand every single aspect of it myself.
Hope it works out.
Good luck to you and all the moms out there.
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Thu Jun 12th, 2008 10:03 pm |
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Hi all,
A quick update: I'm back at GS and it's going well. I reviewed the Kaplan flashcards and Ch 1 & 2 of Kaplan, then jumped back into the Mitalski online anytime lectures. I started making my own notes instead of following his whiteboard notes and it's much clearer to me. Sadly, I've put away the Thaddeus notes I took in Boston (1 day seminar) b/c I can't even read what I wrote, I was in such a hurry! I'll review them again after the Mitalski seminars. Just found my Archiflash cards which have been hiding in the basement for a year, so will review those later too.
All's well on the kid front; everyone is well, we now have power again after the heat wave/storms in the Northeast, my mom is visiting and pampering us all, and I'm studying like a fiend. Still planning to test in just over 2 weeks. I'm feeling very optimistic, although also aware of just HOW much material I still have to cover and synthesize.
For all who wrote, I just want to say a BIG THANK YOU - you are a great virtual cyber-support group. I really mean that! Your words and ideas really helped a lot.
Now...let's pass that exam!
Maia 
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mgilman
Member
| Joined: | Wed Jan 23rd, 2008 |
| Location: | ARCHITE_ _, LEED AP, New York USA |
| Posts: | 688 |
| Exams Taken: | GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | GS, LF, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Looking forward to getting a Pass letter in the mail ... |
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 03:20 am |
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I PASSED GS!
Thanks to all of you who gave so much great support along the way!
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dottie
Architect
| Joined: | Fri Sep 14th, 2007 |
| Location: | Wasilla, Alaska USA |
| Posts: | 1001 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | Taking Northern Design Course & passed the LEED test |
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 07:40 am |
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| YEA!!!!!!!!!!
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sjansen
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| Joined: | Fri Jan 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Middle America, USA |
| Posts: | 195 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | sleep,wait,eat,wait,work,wait, eat,wait,work,wait,repeat. |
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Posted: Tue Aug 5th, 2008 03:27 pm |
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| CONGRATS! you worked really hard for that pass- i am so happy for you.
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ecoarch
Member
| Joined: | Tue Apr 29th, 2008 |
| Location: | SO CAL, California USA |
| Posts: | 55 |
| Exams Taken: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Exams Passed: | PD, GS, LF, ME, BD/MM, CD, SP, BP, BT | | Describes Me: | www.synrgydesign.com |
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Posted: Wed Aug 13th, 2008 12:33 am |
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mgilman wrote:
I PASSED GS!
Thanks to all of you who gave so much great support along the way!
congrats
now time for a relaxing break with the kids...
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