EAC certification – here I come!

I have decided to write the Editor’s Association of Canada’s Copyediting exam.  It is only offered once each year, in November, and I’ve heard that the EAC tests are brutal. But I do like a challenge, so I’m going to write my first exam (preferably two of the four) in 2012. Here’s my 5-step plan.

Step 1: Get the materials

I took care of this one with my Christmas gift from my late Geido.

Step 2: Gather all resources

I have unpacked the materials, now I need to get the additional resources. I am currently operating with the 15th edition of Chicago Manual. It’s time to invest in the 16th. I will also need to get an updated Canadian dictionary.

Step 3: Schedule study time

This is the trickiest part for me.  I am a PTE (visit International Alliance of Motivated Part-Time Entrepreneurs to learn more about us), I have two pre-school aged children, I am starting a new full-time contract next week, and I occasionally like to meet with clients, attend authors’ groups, and have a date night with my husband. I need to schedule this in to my schedule and guard this time very carefully.

Step 4: Find a study group

I have found a few editors in the city who are interested in studying for the exams with me.  The catch again is time.  I plan to start the group in 2012, closer to the exams.

Step 5: Make use of the time and the group

Schedule, schedule, schedule.  Everyone says you have to plan exercise and personal time into your day to make sure it happens; I need to add meeting with a study/ mentorship group to the list or it won’t happen around church events, kids’ lessons, client work, and sleep.

Keep on Learning