Back-to-back PDD-PPD Passes-- & DONE with the AREs!

Last week, I finally got my official PASS for PPD (11/18) and I got a pass for PDD less than a month ago. I must be honest and say I was very nervous about PPD. There is something about the pressure of taking an exam that COULD be your last.

All I have to say is: stay the course. It is so worth it. DO NOT QUIT. You did not start this process because it's a walk in the park. We like to be challenged and to be better architects. Here are some things that I wish I had known 3 years ago.

1. There are no shortcuts, only hard work. Put in the work and put in the time. I wish I could tell you I read Ballast and passed all of them. NO. I read multiple books, some cover to cover, did a bunch of practice questions, put in too many hours to even keep count. And I do not regret any of it. I learned so much from my peers, and by reading multiple sources, doing research, and hosting meetups. I wouldn't change any of it.

2. Host meetups. They may be a lot of work, but discussing topics with your peers is one of the best ways to learn.

3. Find your routine. Whether it's waking up at 4, 6, or 8am and going to bed at 8, 10, or midnight, find your routine and stick with it. Consistency is key when trying to create a habit. I woke up at 3am for the past 1.5 years to study before I ran and then went to work.

4. Find balance. About a year ago, I decided to drop everything (except work) to get as many study hours as I could. I said NO to dinner with friends, family trips, and even hobbies, just to get more studying done. QUALITY over quantity. I might have been getting 30 hours of studying done per week, but were they quality study hours? Keep doing the things you love, just learn to prioritize.

5. Finish what you started. I failed more than I'd like to admit and I thought about quitting more than once or twice. Back in 2018, I had made up my mind that this wasn't for me. I was 2 exams down, 3 more to go. I had made a spreadsheet with pro's and con's of quitting. I was ready to present this argument to my husband. This is how close I was to quitting. Quitting is not an option.

6. JOIN THE BOOTCAMP. This is a must. Just do it. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for your future self. Do it for the future of architecture. You will not regret this. I regret I didn't join sooner.

PS. If you'd like to hear more about recommendations on PPD or PDD related books I read, practice questions, or any resources, please do not hesitate to reach out. I am grateful for the people who helped me along the way, and my only wish now is to be able to do the same for others.

Back-to-back PDD-PPD Passes-- & DONE with the AREs!

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