Strategies for finalising Your Psychology 4+2/5+1 Internship: Getting Over the Line. Part 2 of 2 part series
The pathway to becoming a fully registered psychologist, completing a psychology internship for provisionally registered psychologists is rigorous and stressful.
Provisional Psychologists:
This blog post is designed to guide you through the final leg of your psych internship. We know it can be challenging to finalise the last of your tasks when you’ve just done the Psychological Exam you're tired, burnt out and have little gas in the tank!
Finding More Time - Option 1:
If you have completed your client direct and client related hours, you might consider taking leave from work (e.g., annual leave or unpaid leave) if your circumstances allow. This could enable you to finalise the last tasks, arrange supervision, and tie up all loose ends without being delayed by client work. We recognise that some people may not have leave available or that employers may be reluctant to grant time off. However, taking time off is your best chance to complete your internship rapidly
Finding More Time - Option 2:
If taking leave is too difficult, consider reducing your work week to 3 or 4 days or cutting back your work hours. You may need to think about how to cover reduced wages, but this strategy gives you at least a few more hours each week. The key is to avoid inadvertently doing your paid work or other commitments on your day off, which could distract you from finishing.
Taking Ownership of Your Time
Taking Ownership of Your Time:
You can also work on taking more control of your time.
Calendar Blocking: Allocate specific time slots for task-related activities, as opposed to work or self-care. Use calendar tools (e.g. Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar) to create visual schedules that help you maintain focus and balance.
The Power of 'No': Learn to say no to additional commitments that are not directly related to your internship tasks. This safeguards your time.
Communication: Establish clear lines of communication with your supervisor and manager about your need to focus on your internship.
Do a little every day
Aim to make regular progress with your tasks every day. Even if it's short bursts, this will help you stay on track
Case report writing: Persevere with progressing through the reports a little each day. Revisions and refinement will undoubtedly be needed, but this proactive approach makes the overall workload more manageable
Set a schedule for the rest of your internship. This will help you plan your days around the tasks that need to be completed, making it easier to chip away at them each day.
In Conclusion: Your Gateway to Growth
By taking a proactive, balanced, and strategic approach, you can complete your internship soon!
Provisional Psychologists: Congratulations on your dedication and your accomplishment to get this far. You've got this! For more resources tailored to provisional psychologists and those on the path to registration, visit PsychologySquared's website. We offer study materials, support services, and success strategies to empower you at every stage of your professional journey.
Why is it a problem to prolong Your 4+2/5+1 psychology internship? Part 1 of 2 part series
Why is it a problem to prolong Your 4+2/5+1 psychology internship? Part 1 of 2 part series
The AHPRA guidelines suggest that the 4+2 and 5+1 can be completed within 44 weeks or 88 weeks respectively but little is said about how hard it would be to complete it within those timeframes. In addition, on the pathway to becoming a psychologist little is described on public resources about how to be strategic around getting over the line and how to troubleshoot challenges in getting through the final stretch.
Completing your client direct and client-related hours is a significant achievement, but there are lots of other tasks to complete and failing to finalise your internship can have consequences. While work-life balance is essential, an extended internship period can lead to several challenges worth being aware of. You may still decide that you’re in no rush to finish the psych internship but this article is important in having some perspective around your planning
Reasons for Extended Internships:
Heavy Workload: Balancing client work, paperwork, and supervision sessions, along with meeting the expectations of employers and supervisors, can be overwhelming. Managing client satisfaction and employer demands, in addition to completing logbooks and tasks, is a daunting task.
Challenging AHPRA Tasks: Preparing for the National Psychology Exam or completing Case Reports can be time-consuming and stressful, contributing to delays in internship completion. The case reports are 2500 words (+- 10%) so they can be burdensome to work through. It is important to realise that failing these could delay your internship.
Work-Life Balance: The pressure to complete internship tasks can significantly reduce time for social activities, exercise, and relaxation. Social arrangements, social media, hobbies and interests are all necessary and important to your well-being, and should be managed in your scheduling ideally.
Personal Life Interferences: Unforeseen personal events or issues can hinder task completion efficiency.
Note: It's important not to view an extended internship duration as a failure. Each individual's circumstances are unique, and progress towards becoming a registered psychologist is still being made.
Consequences of an Extended Internship: Delayed Registration: Prolonging your internship can postpone your completion date, affecting your ability to become registered and impacting your career progression.
Additional Requirements: A longer internship may result in extra logbooks, observations, progress reports, and supervision sessions, leading to a sense of professional stagnation and disrupting life plans.
Fatigue: The internship becomes very tiring and the more it is prolonged the more effort it takes to get it all done and the more burnt out you may feel.
Moving Forward:
It's essential to focus on completing your internship efficiently. Stay tuned for strategies to help you successfully navigate the final stages of your internship journey. You can do this, you’re nearly there, but you need to be goal centred to wrap things up.
Launch of New Full Length Kahoot! NPE quiz.
We’re so excited about our huge new launch of 150 questions practice Kahoot! quiz for the National Psychology Exam.
Amazing news! We have a huge launch of a 150 question practice Kahoot! Quiz designed for provisional psychologists, our biggest launch ever of completely new questions. Kahoot! is highly interactive, you can answer the questions when you like and up to 3 times. The questions are based on the psychological exam’s curriculum.
Now you can challenge your colleagues to a fun and competitive way of practicing for the National Psychology Exam, or use an alias for privacy. With this new quiz, you will have access to even more questions that cover a wide range of topics and the opportunity to debrief after or access the free recorded debrief with other provisional psychologists sitting the NPE and 2 registered psychologists (scheduled for Monday 22 January and will be recorded).
Some of the key features about this 150-question Kahoot! practise quiz include:
Difficulty level: We have designed it to be easy to medium difficulty. While the NPE may have longer vignettes, our aim was to help test your baseline knowledge, build your confidence, and simulate an actual psychological exam environment.
Depth: There are 150 completely new questions
Testing of all domains - ethics, assessments, intervention and communications
Similar timing to the NPE whereby you have 90 seconds per question (the NPE gives you an average of 84 seconds)
Immediate feedback as correct or incorrect - so you know how you are going
Gamification of your NPE learning experience to improve recall and identify areas for development. This focus on fun can make your psych internship preparation more engaging and effective!
You can create a testing environment Includes a Zoom debrief session to discuss the tricky questions with a facilitator and peers. This is recorded if you cannot attend.
Most importantly, the format is really fun and we know you'll love it!
The full length 150 question quiz is a mix of memory based and application of knowledge, made up of brief, easy to read questions. The quiz is designed to challenge and improve your understanding of diverse aspects of psychology, and its interactive nature will keep you engaged, ensuring a steady and progressive learning experience.
ADDITIONAL BONUS INCLUSIONS:
To help your NPE preparations, we have included additional NPE products for free as part of the release of our new quiz. These include:
Our Previous quiz bundle An additional 121 quiz questions over 3 other Kahoot! tests
Our Psychopharmacology video which is a talk presented by 2 registered psychologists
A NPE readiness checklist - a simple list to check off your NPE planning
OTHER FREE and PURCHASABLE NPE TOOLS:
Psychology Squared has a range of other tools to support your NPE journey as part of your psychology internship. These include:
NPE peer study group next one starting Feb including over 13 hours of content
NPE Book finder - free resource to help you locate books on the NPE reading list.
NPE introduction and preparation recording - free introductory video resource on what you need to know for the NPE.
NPE 20 question Kahoot! Multiple choice quiz with debrief - free
OPTIONS TO PURCHASE THE NEW QUIZ:
We have two ways you can purchase the new Full Length Quiz
Click here and pay for $105 for the quiz, which includes the bonus inclusions
Join the NPE peer study group, which will includes the Full Length Quiz for $184 (early bird).
This new quiz is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality, engaging, and useful resources for psychology students. It's not just about making learning fun. We're excited for you to try it and we are confident that our new Kahoot! quiz will be an invaluable tool in your exam preparation.
We're here to support you every step of the way, and we're looking forward to seeing you succeed in your National Psychology Exam.
The Psychology Squared Team
Introduction to National Psychology Examination preparedness
In the pursuit of knowledge, various strategies can significantly enhance your understanding and retention of complex topics in the National Psychology Examination. One of these is for the provisional psychologist to leverage all their available resources for the Psychological Exam. The provisional psychologist should seek out recommended readings and resources that can provide additional perspectives, and consider resources that offer real-world scenarios for a more practical understanding of the National Psychology Examination subject matter. This strategy can be particularly useful for subjects like ethics where theoretical guidelines can often be abstract.
Effective National Psychology exam preparation is also key for the provisional psychologist at this stage of their psychology internship. Use active recall methods to improve retention. This involves actively testing your knowledge of national psychologist examination material and trying to recall information without looking at the source, you would likely better remember the material during the exam.
Here are some less known study strategies that may also help you prepare for the National Psychology Exam:
Self-Explanation: Explaining new concepts to yourself, the provisional psychologist can enhance understanding and facilitate better memory recall. This technique can also be used for the provisional psychologist to explain theoretical concepts in your own words, helping you better understand and retain the information.
Repetition After Intervals: Revisit and revise the information after certain intervals to enhance retention of National Psychology Examination material. This may help you consolidate memories.
Create Mind Maps: Visualizing concepts within the national psychology internship in the form of diagrams can help to understand complex information. Mind maps used by the provisional psychologist can also aid in connecting related concepts, engaging your eyes and brain with the study information in another way.
Teach Other provisional psychologists in the psychology internship: One of the best ways to understand a concept thoroughly is to teach another provisional psychologist. If you are familiar with course content you would be better able to put information more simply and explain key points to others.
Mnemonic Devices: Use devices like acronyms, imagery, or rhymes to remember important information. This strategy can be particularly helpful for lists, definitions and other information-heavy content. This can be used to remember information which has a natural order or not.
Incorporate Movement: Incorporating exercise or movement into your study breaks can help increase focus and energy. Try some simple stretches or a quick walk to relax your mind and body before returning to studying. Additionally, this can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being in addition to your performance in the National Psychology Exam.
Use of Technology: Leverage digital tools like educational apps and websites that offer interactive learning experiences. For example, using Quizlet for creating flashcards or watching educational videos. You may also benefit from listening to audiobooks.
Study the National Psychology Examination material in Different Locations: Changing your study environment can stimulate your brain, making it more receptive and engaged in learning. Consider studying in a variety of settings, such as a library, coffee shop, or even outdoors. This can help the provisional psychologist avoid monotony and improve overall productivity.
Use of Music or White Noise: Some studies suggest that background music or white noise can enhance focus and concentration, particularly for tasks that require intense cognition. Experiment with different types of music or sounds to find what works best for you.
Sleep on It: Never underestimate the power of a good night's sleep. Irregular and insufficient sleep can impact memory and cognitive function. Make sure to maintain a regular sleep schedule to let your brain process and consolidate the information you've learned throughout the day.
Psychology Squared are here to help provisional psychologists prepare for the National Psychology Examination with peer study groups designed to provide an interactive and comprehensive study experience. Our NPE Kahoot! Quizzes are a great way to test your knowledge for the Psychological Exam under pressured timing. See also our Book Finder. See these and lots more other resources to help you prepare here:
Join our NPE peer study groups, NPE Quizzes and see lots more other resources to help you prepare here:
https://psychologysquared.com.au/npe
General National Psychology Examination Tips
The National Psychology Examination is arguably the most daunting part of the 4+2/5+1 psych internship process as there's a lot to study and a stressful time limited exam. This part of the Psychology Internship can create a lot of anxiety for the Provisional Psychologist. Here are some general tips for the Provisional Psychologist to help you manage your National Psychology Examination Preparation:
Understanding Your Learning Style for the National Psychology Examination:
The key for the provisional psychologist to effective studying often lies in understanding your learning style. We all process information differently, and what works for one provisional psychologist may not work for another. For instance, visual learners may benefit from the use of diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual aids to understand complex concepts.
On the other hand, auditory learners might find it more useful to listen to recorded lectures or engage in group discussions to reinforce their understanding. Be aware of your preferred learning method, and tailor your study techniques accordingly. This will maximise your success in this stressful part of the psychology internship.
You may prefer to study later in the day or early in the morning, depending on your personal schedule and productivity levels. Experiment with different methods and schedules to find what works best for you.
The Power of Study Groups for the National Psychology Examination:
Being part of a provisional psychologist study group can be incredibly beneficial. It provides an opportunity to engage in active discussion, clarify doubts, and gain diverse perspectives on a single topic with other provisional psychologists. If your group is focusing on a certain subject one week, such as ethics, try to align your personal study plan with that subject. This way, you're not only preparing for your group discussions but also reinforcing the information through your individual study time. The Psychology Squared National Psychology Examination peer groups (See https://psychologysquared.com.au/npe ) are hugely helpful for this purpose. You don't need to be alone in your study program.
Creating a National Psychology Examination Study Plan:
Creating a National Psych Exam customised study plan is an effective method for managing your academic workload. A study plan not only keeps your studies organised but also acts as a motivational tool, helping you stay committed to your learning goals. Align your study plan with your study group's schedule, if you have one. This method ensures a consistent focus, allowing for a deeper understanding for the provisional psychologist of each topic. Remember, learning is not a race, but a journey as a provisional psychologist. Take the time to process and understand information thoroughly to achieve maximum benefit from your studies.
When developing this plan for this part of your psychology internship be realistic, and self compassionate. If you're studying around full time work, it will be challenging to find the energy and motivation to study. If you're too ambitious and falter, try to course correct recognise your efforts no matter how small.
Note that since the National Psychology Examination is a multiple choice exam the way you study could be rather different you'll be studying to recognise correct responses rather than writing sentences, paragraphs or essays.
Your psychology internship studies should include practising answering questions based on the National Psychology Examination in a more relaxed but also within a timed environment. This can help you get used to the test format of the psychological exam and improve your speed and accuracy.
Best of luck!
Psychology Squared are here to help with peer study groups designed to provide an interactive and comprehensive study experience. Our NPE Kahoot! Quizzes are a great way to test your knowledge under pressured timing. See also our book finder. See these and lots more other resources to help you prepare here: https://psychologysquared.com.au/npe
Common challenges and solutions in studying for the National Psychology Examination
A Major Challenge of the Psychology Internship
The National Psychology Examination may be one of the hardest challenges as a provisional psychologist completing their psychology internship. As a provisional psychologist embarking on the journey to prepare for the National Psychology Examination can be daunting, especially when you're juggling the psych internship and other obligations. The hours in a day feel insufficient as you try to balance your psychology internship, logbooks, and various other requirements with the colossal task of studying for the National Psychology Examination. This constant juggling of tasks can make it challenging to even get started with the study process and as the pressure builds up can result in a state of paralysis.
Moreover, the sheer volume of the NPE curriculum can often lead the provisional psychologist to feel overwhelmed. The reading list for the exam is extensive, covering a multitude of topics that one needs to master. It's not uncommon to feel swamped as you delve into the depths of the syllabus, trying to absorb vast amounts of information and knowledge. This overwhelming feeling is a significant hurdle many aspiring provisional psychologists face when preparing for the National Psychology Examination.
Lastly, burnout is a substantial challenge in the journey of the provisional psychologist. The combination of a demanding internship, a vast curriculum, and other responsibilities can lead to exhaustion, both mentally and physically. This constant state of stress and fatigue can affect not just your preparation for the exam, but also your overall well-being. Balancing time between studying and managing other responsibilities can push you to the brink of burnout, making it another significant challenge in your journey to pass the National Psychology Exam.
The solutions
Despite the many challenges that come with preparing for the National Psychology Examination, there are effective strategies to help manage these obstacles. Firstly, prioritising your study schedule is crucial. With a vast curriculum to cover, it might seem intimidating. But remember, every complex task becomes manageable when broken down into smaller parts. Focus on dividing the reading list into manageable sections and concentrate on the most significant or challenging topics first.
Moreover, consider making good use of your commute time and breaks. Find audiobooks or other accessible study materials that you can review while on the move. Similarly, instead of reaching for your phone during breaks, use that time for a quick revision or to cover a topic from your study list. This way, you not only make efficient use of your time but also prevent procrastination.
However, in the midst of all this, do not neglect your physical and mental well-being. It is essential for your survival in the psych internship to ensure adequate sleep, eat healthily, and take short breaks when necessary. Prioritising your well-being will keep you energised, help you avoid burnout, and maintain your focus on the study material. It is a psychological exam in more ways than 1!
The role of effective time management and planning in preparation for the National Psychology Examination - Exploring different planning strategies and their effectiveness in managing the vast curriculum.
The impact of support groups and study circles on exam preparation - The benefits of collective learning and peer support during the preparation process.
Utilizing technology for exam preparation - The use of online resources, study apps, and digital flashcards to enhance learning and retention.
The influence of mindfulness and meditation in reducing stress during exam preparation - Exploring how mindfulness techniques can help maintain mental well-being and focus.
Exploring the role of professional coaching in navigating through the preparation for the National Psychology Examination - How expert guidance can provide structure and strategic direction in the journey.
Lastly, remember, you are not alone in this psych internship journey. Reach out to your peers and mentors for advice, study tips, or even just for moral support. Learning from their experiences and tips could provide invaluable insights for your own study plan. Remember, the journey to pass the National Psychology Examination is challenging, but with the right strategies and support, it is entirely achievable.
Psychology Squared are here to help for your psych internship and preparation for the National Psychology Examination with peer study groups designed to provide an interactive and comprehensive study experience. Our NPE Kahoot! Quizzes are a great way to test your knowledge under pressured timing. See also our book finder. See these and lots more other resources to help you prepare here: https://psychologysquared.com.au/npe
The Myth of Friendship Equivalency
Not all friendships are equal, yet people can easily become distressed if they think their friends are not putting into the relationship as much as they receive.
Welcome to our blog which we realise is a little bit different to those we usually write that focus on the Psychology internship, psychological pathways or way to become a psychologist. We figure that as a provisional psychologist, you may wish to also deep dive into psychology issues even if they’re not in the National Psychological Exam!
In the psychological internships, we often focus our study on the Psychological treatment modalities which may be limiting. However, we think understanding social interactions is important as social issues are often a source of distress for adults and children alike. When you're completing the psychological pathways, consider broadening your learning as a way to best support your clients.
Not all friendships are equal, yet people can easily become distressed if they think their friends are not putting into the relationship as much as they receive. For instance, you may call your friend more than they call you, or you may always be the one to initiate plans. This can lead to feelings of resentment and disappointment, causing people to question whether their friendship is really equal.
Some people believe in the myth of friendship equivalency—that all friendships should be give-and-take in perfect balance. Many individuals foster the notion that friendships should exhibit a 1:1 ratio of give and take; if one friend extends an invitation or favor, they anticipate an equal response. They measure their friendships based on the frequency of being called, invitations received, or the number of times a friend has initiated conversations.
This belief system stems from the idea of equity in relationships, assuming that both parties should invest an equal amount of time, effort, and emotional energy. Consequently, they might perceive any deviation from this supposed balance as a sign of inequality or a lack of mutual affection.
However, this is not a realistic expectation for any relationship, including friendships. Rather than focusing on the quantity or quality of friendships, it's more important to recognise that each relationship we have serves a different purpose and fills a unique role in our lives. Some friends may be there for emotional support during tough times, while others may provide practical advice or simply bring joy and laughter into our lives. Some friends may be good for a chat, while others are better at joining in for a sporting activity or attending concerts together.
The key is to appreciate each friendship for what it brings to our lives instead of trying to make it fit into a specific mold or measure its worth against other friendships. By acknowledging the differences and individuality of each relationship, we can avoid the trap of comparing and weighing our friendships against each other.
Moreover, just because a friend may not always be able to reciprocate in the same way or with the same intensity, it doesn't mean that they don't value your friendship. Everyone has different capacities and ways of expressing themselves, and it's important to respect and understand that. It's also important to understand that the dynamics of friendships can change over time. As we grow and evolve as individuals, so do our relationships with others.
Instead of focusing on whether your friendship seems equal, consider this: a) Do you have a good time together? b) Do they seem to be enjoying themselves when they're with you? c) Do you feel supported and valued in their presence? If the answer is yes to these questions, then the friendship could be a valuable one, regardless of any perceived imbalances.
In short, let go of the myth of friendship equivalency and appreciate each relationship for its unique qualities and what it brings to your life. True friendships are not about keeping score or trying to achieve an imaginary state of balance, but rather about cherishing the connections and experiences shared with others. In fact, differences can be identified but then celebrated, making friendships all the more enriching and meaningful. Let's embrace the idea that not all friendships are equal, but they can still be valuable in their own special way.