Like many who took the 2023 Board Licensure Examination for Psychologists and Psychometricians (BLEPP), my board exam journey wasn’t smooth sailing.

But life is like that, right? Life can be a series of challenges to help you become what you are meant to be. You surmount one challenge, here comes the next. But no matter how difficult the next one is, trust that you already have what it takes to overcome it, thanks to the previous one.

Among the hurdles I had was my unconventional academic and professional background. Because my undergraduate degree is in another discipline, the adjustment and transition took a little more effort. And time. It took me 12 years to get here. I majored in Broadcast Communication, and for over a decade, I lived my dream as a broadcast journalist. Until I decided to study Psychology to understand my traumatic experiences reporting crime as a TV news correspondent. In doing so, I had life outside work, was able to cope, and found another purpose – I decided to pursue another dream of becoming a Psychologist to help others. 

But I couldn’t rush into my new dream. I cannot afford to be a full-time student. I am the eldest in the family. Many Filipinos could probably understand that while we pursue our dreams, we need to be responsible for the family. Don’t get me wrong, because I found my circumstances helpful, having taught me discipline, resourcefulness, perseverance, adaptability, and decisiveness. I’m a proud and grateful panganay.

I reviewed for the boards while in a full-time managerial job unrelated to Psychology. Since completing my graduate studies, I advanced to other roles in the communications industry and had the opportunity to serve as the public relations chief of the government’s newly created space agency. I was already in a “safe,” “stable” place, people would say. But I found that a bit scary, concerned that I might get too comfortable and forget my dream of becoming a Psychologist. So I enrolled in a board exam review as soon as I saw the chance, despite being uncertain if I could complete the requirements to take the exam.

I devoted my weekends to the live online lectures. Every weekday, before preparing for work, I would wake up at four or five in the morning to draw the normal curve and its standard scores so I could overlearn it. I would then proceed to read as much as I could about the subject I scheduled for that day: Mondays – Advanced Theories of Personality; Tuesdays – Counseling and Psychotherapy; Wednesdays – Advanced Abnormal Psychology, and; Thursdays and Fridays were for Advanced Psychological Assessment. After work, if I still had headspace, I would read and rewatch the video lectures after dinner until I fell asleep. I looked for podcasts and YouTube lectures that would complement my learning materials. I listened to these while driving, commuting to work, or during lunch breaks. Of course, there were many bad days when I was so demotivated or just not in the mood to study. But there were many good days as well, and I made the most out of these times.  

The review taught me to prioritize my needs, especially for rest and sleep. I began taking better care of myself. I learned to be more mindful of where to put my energy. I have become more selective of my battles. It dawned on me that a professional license is “forever.” And unless something approximates that level of importance, it wasn’t worth my precious energy. I rediscovered myself, my values, my capabilities, and my boundaries.

I got sick a month before the boards. My asthma returned, triggered by the flu. For two weeks, I couldn’t study. I reconsidered my plans since I still had not gotten my Notice of Admission (NOA) to take the exams at that time. While I remained hopeful and continued attending the review sessions, I entertained and accepted the possibility of taking the boards next time. Despite this, I have resolved to complete the review. I believe that there was nothing to lose and whatever I gain from the review would certainly be useful for the future. Then, a week before the boards, my NOA came out. The rest is history.

I passed and ranked 2nd among the topnotchers. Looking back, I have nothing but insight and gratitude for everything I went through. Looking ahead, I have nothing but faith, hope, and trust. Together with my fellow professionals, I can now help address the mental health challenges we face, as a Psychologist.

About the Author

Tricia Zafra, RPsy is the Relationships Editor of Subselfie.com. She is a clinical psychologist and a university lecturer.

Prior to becoming a psychologist, she had a 12-year career as a broadcast journalist, working as News Correspondent and Anchor for RPN 9 and GMA 7, and as an Executive Producer for CNN Philippines. She transitioned into advocacy communications for Doctors Without Borders – HongKong, and served in the government as the Chief of Public Relations and Information Division of the Philippine Space Agency.

She underwent clinical training at Argao Psych as an intern.

Her volunteer work includes providing peer support to journalists and media workers in distress. She also co-authored a mental health handbook for journalists and facilitated mental health sessions.

She’s a vegetarian, painter, licensed scuba diver, and a fur parent.

BA Broadcast Communication 2007 (cum laude), UP Diliman
MA Psychology 2020, UP Diliman
Topnotcher (Rank 2), 2023 Psychologists Licensure Examination