Re: how to prepare for the certification after completing home study course.

[Guest guest]

Hi Janny-

I'm with Karin on this one---flash cards are a good tool. Check our

files section or archives for other memorization techniques.

Dora

Group Mod

[Guest guest]

Dear Jan,

As an instructor I have always looked for better ways to learn and

to memorize, inorder to assist my classroom students in learning. My

favorite methods some of which I developed are in my Tutorial Files,

one of our members found a great site. Until the owner placed

a 'lock' on the packets that you develop I could not recommend it.

But Studystack.com is a great tool for those who love the computer

and flashcards. It is a deck of electronic flashcards. You can find

the site in the link section.

In the files section find my Tutorial:

" Tutorial - Memorization of Trade- Generics.doc

In response to many who have asked for this Tutorial, I share with

you my memorization methods for memorizing

Trade/Generics/Classifications. 2-22-03 Jeanetta Mastron

copyrighted "

Let us know what methods you have used that work best for you after

you try a few.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chem

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner

> Hi,

> I am studying with PCDI, an accredited school. Where I live,

> pharmacy ed is nonexistent so I'm glad for this course!

>

> I feel I need a " method to the madness " of preparing for the exam

so

> I don't feel overwhelmed. I want to go back over all my lessons,

do

> the exercises, etc. as well as access this group both for feedback

> and valuable information. I have maintained an " A " in the course.

> How do I study the drug names/generic names the best way? I am now

> close to doing my math lessons, which involve a lot of work! I

know

> the next certification opportunity in Tucson will come in November

I

> think; there is no way I will be finished by July. I have been in

> this study since Nov 2003 and I feel I need the added exposure.

>

> Thanks for your tips and suggestions.

>

> Jan

[Guest guest]

Dear Janny108,

Please let me clarify for my other readers/members:

You have been a member of this study group/site since June 8, 04

But you have been in a PCDI distance learning study since November

2003. Is this correct?

So during this distance learning course did they have an outline of

what to study in a step by step fashion? If so that would serve as

one 'method' of preparation.

I think the first thing to do is to purchase a review book. I have

review document of several books in the files section.

The next thing is to use the book in order. As you come upon

questions for which you can not understand the answers, post them

here. We will help you to understand them.

Also use all of the tutorials, not just the ones I send you upon

becomming a member. Any questions with those? Feel free to ask.

Make sure you know math and law the best you can.

Another thing you can do is to volunteer to work in a pharmacy or a

hospital. In this manner you will be more exposed to drugs /trade

and generic.

Search the internet on topics of pharmacy technicians and practice

of pharmacy. Also some drugs and disease states. Try drug

interactions as a topic.

Go to a retail or hospital pharmacy and ask to speak to a pharmacy

technician or certified tech. Ask that tech if you can meet with

them on personal time to interview them. Then during the interview

ask them about a typical day. When you listen and hear about

something that you are unfamiliar with then take notes, ask them

about it. Then if you still have a problem with it post your

question about it here.

I hope this helps you out.

Let me know if you use any of these suggestions and how it helps or

does not help you.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chem

F/O

> Hi,

> I am studying with PCDI, an accredited school. Where I live,

> pharmacy ed is nonexistent so I'm glad for this course!

>

> I feel I need a " method to the madness " of preparing for the exam

so

> I don't feel overwhelmed. I want to go back over all my lessons,

do

> the exercises, etc. as well as access this group both for feedback

> and valuable information. I have maintained an " A " in the course.

> How do I study the drug names/generic names the best way? I am now

> close to doing my math lessons, which involve a lot of work! I

know

> the next certification opportunity in Tucson will come in November

I

> think; there is no way I will be finished by July. I have been in

> this study since Nov 2003 and I feel I need the added exposure.

>

> Thanks for your tips and suggestions.

>

> Jan

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I did a course just like you. I am in Canada and I did a distance program

through Granton Institute of Technology. After I finished my program, I went

through my Calculations text many, many times because I am horrible at math and

I wanted to be sure that I totally understood them. I am glad for that because

I am really very good at the calculations now. I tried to go over my

Pharmacology text again, but it always put me to sleep, lol. So I purchased

Delmars Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam Review. That was good for the

Pharmacy practice and calculations and I used that to study as well as my

Calculations and Pharmacology book from my course. After compleing the exam

review book, I felt that it didn't have enough on Pharmacology, so I purchased

another book through ebay called Pharmacy Certified Technician Training Manual.

It came with a workbook for calculations and has a much better section on

Pharmacology. I however didn't get to go through that entire book before

my exam time came. I ended up with 2.5 hours of sleep before my exam because I

had to travel to Michigan from Ontario, and I still passed. I did all my

studying taking care of 2 small kids while I was pregnant, and had my third

child.

Since I have passed my exam, I still feel that I need more help with the

Pharmacology, so I purchased a book call Basic Pharmacology and Calculation for

the Pharmacy Tech. I just went through all the chapters on the Pharmacology,

and believe me, I will be going through them all again.

You know though, I probably would have been well prepared with just the material

from my course because it had an extensive course on the Pharmacology and the

way that it taught me to do the calculations has stuck. In doing all my other

study guides, I only used them as practice because I have never changed my way

of doing my calculations from the way my course taught me. I have looked at the

PCDI course and it is similar to the one I did (except mine had some boring

subjects like office procedures, typing and human relations), but your course

sounded very interesting and I have always wanted to complete it too, just to

make sure I know all I can. Are you enjoying the program so far? So, don't

worry too much, you should be well prepared for the exam!

CPhT

janny108 <janny108@...> wrote:

Hi,

I am studying with PCDI, an accredited school. Where I live,

pharmacy ed is nonexistent so I'm glad for this course!

I feel I need a " method to the madness " of preparing for the exam so

I don't feel overwhelmed. I want to go back over all my lessons, do

the exercises, etc. as well as access this group both for feedback

and valuable information. I have maintained an " A " in the course.

How do I study the drug names/generic names the best way? I am now

close to doing my math lessons, which involve a lot of work! I know

the next certification opportunity in Tucson will come in November I

think; there is no way I will be finished by July. I have been in

this study since Nov 2003 and I feel I need the added exposure.

Thanks for your tips and suggestions.

Jan