It’s a little intimidating. The book shows up and you have 6 months to learn the material and take a test. But the question goes – where do you start?
I waited until I got back to CL to order my materials, part due to finances but mostly due to the time constraints. I didn’t want my book sitting at my parents house with me in LA and unable to study or use my time. But I didn’t want the book in LA with my trying to study in the midst of goodbyes and packing.
So when my book came, I sat down and came up with a plan. Something I thought I could follow and stick to without being completely overwhelmed. For anyone interested in going with NASM, for anyone having trouble coming up with a NASM study plan, or just anyone interested in what my studies look like, here’s the plan I came up with for myself:
WEEK 1: 9/7-9/13
Section 1 // Chapter 1 & 2
WEEK 2: 9/14-9/20
Section 1 // Chapter 3, 4 & 5
WEEK 3: 9/21-9/27
Section 2 // Chapter 6
WEEK 4: 9/28-10/4
Section 2 // Chapter 7 & 8
WEEK 5: 10/5-10/11
Section 2 // Chapter 9, 10 & 11
WEEK 6: 10/12-10/18
Section 2 // Chapter 12 & 13
WEEK 7: 10/19-10/25
Section 2 // Chapter 14 & 15
WEEK 8: 10/26-11/1
Section 2 // Chapter 16
WEEK 9: 11/2-11/8
Section 3 // Chapter 17 & 18
WEEK 10: 11/9-11/15
Section 4 // Chapter 19 & 20
With this plan, I should be able to take the test (and hopefully pass) prior to Thanksgiving and (again, hopefully) be able to get into the industry prior to the busy holiday season.
For the most part I’ve been studying at home but I’m working on getting myself a change of scenery, whether that be moving to a different room in the house, sitting outside or sitting at the local coffee shop. Sometimes a simple change of scenery can bring back your concentration.
When you really have to concentrate on something, what are your focussing tips?
Have you ever had to create your own study plan?
Also, did you see my Lemon Blueberry Protein Pancake recipe on the FitKit blog?
That’s awesome! I’ve definitely thought of getting the NASM certification, but I’d be crazy to try to do it during school….I have a hard enough time focusing on my homework as it is haha!
Friday I studied at a new place…the university coffee area and it was a little noisy (so I actually bought some noise-cancelling earbuds online while I was there lol!), but I did find that it was better than being at home where I can turn on Netflix or find something else around the house to do other than study. I think I will be doing this once a week or so, but definitely not too often because it costs money to buy coffee/food there. 🙂
Good luck!!
Yeah, it’s pretty intense so I’d definitely wait until after school if you decide to go for it. I’m hoping having my NASM cert and THEN going to school will work for me…hoping.
That’s a serious plan there girl! I know you will do great!!!
Thank you! And YES it is quite the plan! haha
Good luck!
When I have to really focus i make myself unplug. I temporarily break up with my phone and my person email. And blog reading… which I should not be doing right now… LOL!
haha! I definitely have to hide my phone and log off of email and twitter!
Sounds like a good plan! When I have to focus, I put on comfy PJ pants, make a cup of tea, and put in my earbuds to listen to soft music. It usually works!
Great idea! I’ve definitely been doing the PJ/yoga pants and either tea or coffee.
Found your NASM post on twitter and followed the link. My wife and I both have a couple certs from NASM. Good luck, it’s a great company and exelent certification!
Thank you! I’m so excited!