LLE Tips Part 1

1. GET YOUR NOTICE OF ADMISSION (NOA) FROM PRC EARLY.

Make sure you have prepared all the requirements needed to apply for the test so as to avoid the hassle of last minute run to PRC or wherever you're settling them.

2. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW.


I'm not sure if I'm even allowed to advise this because, honestly, I didn't practice what I preach. Three weeks before the test, I registered for the UP SLIS Review (October 14-25). But if you ask my seatmates at that program, they'd say it's as if I weren't there. I slept, I played Candy Crush, I was absent a lot. And well, yeah, I regret it. I should have focused and listened. A week before the exam, I started cramming. Although I am more productive when I cram, I don't really recommend it to everyone. So yes, review early and diligently and your effort will pay off.

3. CREATE AN AMBIANCE CONDUCIVE TO STUDYING.

Some people can study better when in groups, some alone. Some cannot concentrate when there's even a teeny bit of sound while some prefer having white noise around. The study environment differs per person. Find your happy place. Mine was a room housing only myself, with enough food to last me til the end of my review and a Soft Jazz Instrumentals music playing almost 15 hours everyday for a week.

I only rested when it was time to eat or to relax the veins throbbing in my eyeballs. Here's me and my messy house during those gruelling 7 days before LLE (pardon the selfie; this was how I relaxed hehe):


4. MEMORIZATION STRATEGIES ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS.

I tried to make a mnemonic whenever I'd found a use for it in the concepts I was studying. I actually went waaay over the top with them (cultural references and all; sorry DLSU, I didn't mean it, it just fits!).


Also, my ex-colleague from UP Engglib (Sir Brian Dayrit, Top1 of LLE 2012) lent me his flashcards. These are really good when you want to challenge yourself in memorising not only the key words but also the definitions and specific details (key word at the front, description at the back). This works well when there's another person asking you/flashing the cards for you.


5. HAVE AN ORGANISED REVIEW.

It's gonna backfire if you have a mishmash of a review. Organise your materials per topic. What I did was study chronologically according to the schedule of subjects (LLE Day 1 is Management, Reference and Acquisitions while Day 2 is Cataloging, Indexing and IT). Every subject I finished, I did a mock test. I tried to make two thorough reviews per subject. I had a calendar which I strived hard to follow. It adds to the pressure. :)