Eight Lessons
By Natasha Graves
Licensed 2021
I considered outlining my timeline of ARE testing but the most important thing to note was: I failed A LOT. I took CE twice, PDD 3 times, and PPD 4 (see below for the full timeline). I remember at the beginning of my testing I felt so confident that I was passing them so easily but that all came to a quick halt. After that switch in my journey, I started to realize it was less about the goal and much more about the journey. I know. How cliché and corny. But to be fair I didn’t really appreciate the passes until I started failing. I don’t even remember a lot of content from tests I breezed through but can tell you which type of geothermal system is used in what context. I’ve outlined the biggest takeaways I have from almost 3 whole years of ARE “fun”.
Studying
1. Understand how you learn. Are you an audio learner? Or can you read chapter on chapter of practical books? Determine that and then figure out a way to make the information make sense to you. If you’re visual, maybe that means purchasing books that have tons of structural diagrams, or if you’re a kinesthetic learner maybe it means making 3D models of the different systems. Whatever works for you – do that.
2. Start studying when you’re not ready. I don’t mean crack open your first book when you’re house-hunting, but also don’t wait until NOTHING is going on in your life because that’s just never going to happen. For me, that meant starting a couple of months from starting my first full-time role because I felt that studying was still second nature and I knew if I got a taste of too much freedom it would be hard to reign it in. For others, maybe that means touching every section a little bit in your career, but don’t feel like you have to have intensive knowledge of each concept to begin. I felt like the studying actually helped me to better understand systems so much better in my day to day conversations with my project team than had I not been studying the information for (literal) years. Believe it or not the tests can make you a better professional! Ironic huh?
3. Google everything. Seriously. There are so many books that cover this information, but Google has quick images that can easily answer some of the more targeted questions you may have.
Time Management
4. Create a schedule. I don’t mean one where you write out what exactly you’ll learn everyday (although if that’s optimal for you then go for it) but I mean block out certain portions of your day where you know you’ll do nothing but ARE. Maybe that just means googling confusing concepts or watching YouTube videos on the content. Just make sure you have daily interactions with the information you’re trying to comprehend.
Learn and Apply
5. Try to learn the information. Sounds obvious right? It’s actually not. If you’re a good test-taker you can quickly learn how to master the format once you see it. I even had mentors tell me to use that to my advantage, but I disagree. There’s nothing like passing your tests at 26 and feeling the overwhelming imposter syndrome that came with it. While it’s an amazing feat to have accomplished, I also remember a ton of the information I was learning because it makes me feel more confident. Not to mention, if you’re consistently failing it could be a sign that you’re not actually retaining the information.
6. Look for real-world applications. When you see something in your studying try to find an example of that in buildings you pass. For example, if you see a glass wall try to determine if you think it’s a curtain wall or storefront. If you can’t figure it out, google it until you get the answer.
Self Talk
7. Believe in yourself. It can be difficult to keep going. Trust me I took months off. However, I think the worst time for me was when I mentally gave in to how “hard” I thought the tests were. I started to doubt my ability to finish which in turn I think made me super anxious and lack confidence on tests days. It’s really you versus you.
8. Don’t tell anyone when you’re sitting for an exam. I made this mistake once and instantly regretted it when I saw that lovely “likely fail” at the end of my exam. Maybe it’s the pressure to perform for others that got into my head or just that awkward conversation when I came back and had to deliver the unsavory news, but I always say to keep it to yourself. Be able to both fail and celebrate on your own before deciding if you want to share that information.
Post-licensure
Getting licensed was important to me for a number of reasons. First, I felt as though it was the cap on all the hard work I endured in school and in some ways a tribute to all the professors and professionals that encouraged me to get licensed. Not everyone is allowed the opportunity to sit for those exams, so although it is daunting I felt I would be missing out on an exclusive experience. Most important in my journey, was the select few black women that were, and are, licensed. I know how important representation is and although I never knew how long I would actually practice as an architect, I believe the mere fact that I completed that journey can help someone else believe they can do it as well. Now that I am licensed, I’m excited to see how this stepping stone lends itself to all of my other interests and endeavors.
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