Tuesday, May 22, 2012

My History Exam is History!

    It's hard to believe that just over a week ago, I swallowed the lump in my throat and attempted the History Overview exam with the Royal Conservatory! We've been on a little anniversary getaway (celebrating 7 years), which explains my delay in relaying to you how things went with said exam....I know, I know....you've been anxiously waiting to hear how it went! lol

    When I arrived at the examination centre, I was the only one taking the exam that day. I was actually relieved not to be disturbed by the rustling of other exam-takers, and enjoyed 2 1/2 hours of mental solitude (with the exception of Margaret, the moderator).  Physically, this exam was exhausting. Not to mention the mental stretching, my often carpal-tunnel afflicted arm underwent a definite flare-up while I was writing.  Seriously, in this technologically advanced age, can they not provide us with computer screens so we can type our 3 essays, instead of insisting that we leave the exam centre and go straight to the chiropractor!? :)  And the not drinking any water after noon didn't work so well either for 'this little bladder mine.'  And my moderator was drinking water the whole time....how did she do it?

     I'm pleased that the exam overall was easier than I expected- that's a good sign, right?!  But like with any exam, after I left the room I checked my book on a couple of things I hadn't been sure about (key signatures, mostly- those pesky things!!). 

     Now I get to imbibe myself in summer and await the 6 weeks to see my mark...and the 2 months to see the actual exam.  Studying in every spare moment had become such a way of life that I keep having to remind myself that I don't have to study!  I am so grateful for my husband, who on several occasions arranged childcare so I could have hours...even days of uninterrupted study.  It made all the difference in the world in how much history I was able to soak in.
  
      Even more than the mark is the satisfaction of all that I learned.  I now look for music history links everywhere I go, and judge every historical figure based on which composer(s) lived during his/her lifetime.  My husband tells me I'm obsessed.  Maybe I am....but I learned so much.  

     History 2?  A few months ago it was "no, never!"  Now....bring it on!!  .....But not until the fall. :)




Posted by Leah@Piano Playground

7 comments:

Rachel said...

Congrats on completing the test--when do you find out the results? I know that there is a lot of hard work and study involved in such a test, so way to go on being able to accomplish such a feat in addition to your already full plate! =)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I can't imagine waiting that long for a grade. I only had to wait 3 days for my RN boards. Hope you did well! Johanna Galyen

Jonathan said...

Honey, I know you did well. I'm proud of you for working so hard. Keep up the good work. Bring on History 2!

Leah said...

Rachel- 6 weeks for the mark, and 3 months to see the actual exam to know what I got right/wrong. They don't send paper copies anymore- they scan the actual exam into my account and I have a certain length of time to view it and/or print it off. I'll get a certificate in about 4-5 months.

Leah said...

Johanna, yes, another nurse in our church told me the same thing!!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I took the RCM course and exam about five years ago, and loved it! I enjoyed discovering so much about music that I'd missed in my earlier training.
Enjoy the time now that you can have a bit more of a life!
Blessings!

Leah said...

Thank you! I'm already enjoying summer immensely. :)