Making A Study Binder for the RD Exam

There's a lot of material on the RD exam, and it's important to organize your study materials in a way that will be conducive to efficient studying. Ready to dive in?

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If you're studying with a physical copy of the Study Smarter Method, then you've already got a helpful binder ready-to-go! You can purchase a beautiful coil-bound version of the Study Smarter Method e-book and all of the study guides from All Access Dietetics, sold as "Pass The Exam Prep". Link here.

Haven't heard of the Study Smarter Method for the RD Exam? You're in for a treat! I developed the Study Smarter Method for the RD Exam after working with RD2Be's studying for the text. Not only does it help you create a study plan that works for your schedule and your focus needs, but it guides you in a learning method that is more efficient than reading outlines, writing notes, and making flashcards.

Want to learn more about it?

• About the Study Smarter Method for the RD Exam
• Testimonials from previous students
• See available study guides
• Download free study tools (including worksheets and a free MNT study guide)

Now my big tip for you in this blog post is how you organize your study materials, particularly if you are only studying part-time. Meaning that you're also doing school and/or work while studying.

If you're following my advice from the Study Smarter Method, you're creating a study plan where you mark out your work and class schedule and other events. Then you think about the best time of day that you study, and outline your study tasks - such as 5 practice question sessions, focus sessions, and active learning sessions. Another key step, particularly for busy schedules, is identifying pockets of time that you can use for smaller and easier study tasks, such as listening to recordings you've made or flipping through flashcards, or conversely, marking those pockets of time for self-care and wellness, such as meditation, a quick workout, or something else that centers you. A unique aspect of the Study Smarter Method for the RD exam is that it sees you as a whole person, not just a student scrambling to study for a test. It's important that you don't lose yourself in the process. Continuing to care for your mental and physical health will make it easier to focus while you study, help you sleep better, and ultimately help you retain the information that you are studying.

The organization tips I have for you boil down to this: your materials should support your study efforts, but not define them. Don't waste time perfecting the 'perfect' system instead of jumping in and studying. You won't know what works and what doesn't until you actually use it. It's tempting to procrastinate by creating note sheet after note sheet, but your time is better spent working on practice questions, learning the information, passing the exam, and moving on in your career.

If you'll be taking flashcards with you on the go, having a small expandable file (like the coupon or cash organizers at the dollar store) or even ziplock bags and rubberbands are great. If you are printing off my free worksheets, organize them in a lightweight binder or folder with 3-prongs.

If you're staying digital (an efficient choice!), create a dedicated space for your study materials on your computer, in the cloud, or on a jump drive. Don't lose time searching for documents you randomly saved who-knows-where when you quickly logged of the night before. Be purposeful and stay organized.

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