I’m a 19-year-old with no prior knowledge of insurance, and I’m currently trying to obtain my life and health insurance license for a job opportunity. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty defeated right now.
As the title suggests, I was given just two weeks to complete a 15-chapter exam before moving on to the state exam to get my license in Nebraska. While I’m not the most intelligent person out there, I believe I’m a quick learner. Right now, I’m working at a fast-food restaurant, but I wanted to pursue something more meaningful. I found an ad for an entry-level life and health insurance agent position, applied, and got hired—only to realize I need to get my license before I can start.
I’ve spent 16 hours on the course, and I’m currently on chapter 4 of 15 with only 9 days left. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong; this has been one of the toughest things I’ve ever studied for. The biggest hurdle has been taking notes. I knew I would need them, but it feels like the process is eating up my time. At the same time, I worry that without the notes, I won’t do well on the end-of-chapter quizzes.
So, my question is: Do I really need to take extensive notes on every little detail? My notes are incredibly thorough, over 20,000 characters for each chapter, but I’m starting to wonder if this approach is slowing me down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
It sounds like you’re in a tough spot, but it’s great that you’re pushing through and taking on this challenge! Here are a few tips that might help you manage your time and study more effectively:
Focus on Key Concepts: Instead of trying to take notes on everything, focus on the most important concepts and terms that are likely to be on the exam. Try to identify what key topics are emphasized in the chapters and concentrate your notes there.
Utilize Summaries: After each chapter, see if there’s a summary or review section. This can help you reinforce the main points without having to take detailed notes on every little thing.
Practice Questions: Spend some time doing practice questions. This can help you get accustomed to the format of the exam and the types of questions that might be asked. It could also highlight which areas you need to focus on more.
Break It Down: Since time is of the essence, consider breaking your study sessions into smaller, focused intervals (like the Pomodoro Technique—25 minutes of studying followed by a 5-minute break). This can help improve your concentration and retention.
Join a Study Group: If possible, connect with others who are studying for the same exam. Discussing the material with peers can enhance understanding and retention and help you find shortcuts in your studying.
Use Visual Aids: Sometimes diagrams, charts, or flashcards can be quicker to create and more effective for memorization than extensive notes.
Skip the Overkill: Remember, you don’t need to document every detail. Instead, aim for understanding the fundamental principles that will help you answer questions, rather than memorizing everything verbatim.
Lastly, don’t get too discouraged! It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed with such a big task under a tight deadline. Just keep pushing through, stay focused on those key points, and you’ll make it. Good luck!