Mz Bev House & Perspective

Studying for your CT registry while working full-time? Learn how to pass your exam without burning out. Tips from a 40-year rad tech veteran.

You’re already exhausted.
You just finished a 8, 10 or 12-hour shift in the radiology department. Your feet hurt. You haven’t had lunch. And now you’re supposed to go home and study CT physics for two hours because your registry exam is in 90 days.
So you grab your study guide, sit down at the kitchen table, and stare at the same page about Hounsfield units for 20 minutes. Nothing sticks. Your brain feels like fog. You close the book, feel guilty, and promise yourself you’ll “do better tomorrow.”
Sound familiar?
I’ve seen this pattern hundreds of times in my 40 years as a radiologic technologist. And here’s what nobody tells you: The way most people study for their registry exam is designed to create burnout.

1. The “More is Better” Myth
   Most study guides tell you to spend 3-4 hours per day studying. That’s great—if you don’t have a full-time job, family obligations, or a life.
   For working rad techs, this advice is a recipe for disaster. You start strong, burn out by week 3, and then you’re behind schedule AND exhausted.
2. Information Overload
   You’re trying to memorize everything at once: anatomy, physics, protocols, patient care, ethics. Your brain can’t process that volume of information while you’re already mentally depleted from clinical work.
3. No Structure = Decision Fatigue
   Every day you wake up and have to decide: What should I study today? How long should I study? Did I study the right things? This constant decision-making drains your energy before you even open a book.
4. Isolation
   You’re studying alone. When you hit a wall or don’t understand something, you have nowhere to turn. You start doubting yourself. The self-talk gets negative. The stress compounds.

Why Registry Exam Prep Leads to Burnout

What I Learned from 40 Years (and Nearly Burning Out Myself)
When I was studying for my CT registry while working 40+ hours a week and all the usual family and lifestyle challenges. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and convinced I was going to fail.
Then I had a conversation with a with my dad who changed everything. And at the time he had been on the school board for nearly 10 years. He said:
“Bev, you don’t need more study time. You need smarter study time. Thirty focused minutes beats three distracted hours every single time.”
That advice truly saved me. My goal after graduation was to work in the Cath Lab, and I achieved it. But after the OKC bombing and with young children at home, I realized it wasn’t sustainable. I shifted my focus to CT, and management roles naturally followed. While working over 40 hours a week, I studied for and passed the CT registry—but I wouldn’t wish that level of exhaustion on anyone. There’s a far easier, more structured way to prepare for the registry without burning out.
When I decided to pursue my CT certification later on into my career, I used this method: short, structured, consistent study sessions with built-in recovery time.
It worked. And it’s the exact system I now teach.

The Anti-Burnout Study Method
Here’s how to prepare for your CT registry without sacrificing your health, relationships, or sanity:

1. Study 30-60 Minutes Per Day, Not 3-4 Hours
   Your brain can’t absorb complex information for hours at a time—especially when you’re already tired from work. Short, focused sessions are more effective and sustainable.
2. Follow a Structured Plan (No Decision Fatigue)
   Know exactly what you’re studying each day. No guessing. No “I’ll figure it out tomorrow.” When the decision is already made, you can focus your energy on learning.
3. Build in Rest Days
   Study 5 days per week, rest 2 days. Your brain needs recovery time to consolidate what you’ve learned. Rest isn’t lazy—it’s strategic.
4. Use a Daily Reset System
   Before each study session, take 5 minutes to clear your mind. I call this the “Burnout Brain Fog Reset.” It helps you transition from work mode to study mode without carrying the day’s stress with you.
5. Join a Community
   You’re not in this alone. Connect with other rad techs who are also studying. Share resources. Celebrate wins. Support each other through the hard days.

The 90-Day Reality Check
Can you really pass your CT registry in 90 days while working full-time?
Yes. I’ve seen it happen dozens of times.
But only if you approach it the right way.
What doesn’t work:
∙ Cramming for hours every night
∙ Trying to memorize everything at once
∙ Ignoring your mental health
∙ Isolating yourself
What does work:
∙ 30-60 minutes of focused study, 5 days per week
∙ A clear, structured plan
∙ Daily brain fog resets
∙ Community support
∙ A 90-day timeline with built-in flexibility

Your Next Step
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the thought of studying for your CT registry, start here:
Download my free Burnout Brain Fog Daily Reset Checklist. It’s a simple, 5-minute routine that helps you clear your mind before studying (or before any high-focus task). It’s what I use, and what I teach my students to use.

Subscribe, leave a blog post and download my Burnout Daily Rest Checklist for Free🔥

🔥Link: How to use Burnout Checklist

https://1drv.ms/b/c/884ca865ee0ce1c6/IQDseOwCWJDaT5vyDolOHK6UAczyOp-2Ks9bobdRZ-jbMoE?e=yBLdqz

🔥Link: Burnout Fog Daily Reset Checklist

https://1drv.ms/b/c/884ca865ee0ce1c6/IQAKMunTiteJRYqBONXeos82AdxOujJytasMGHzRisRnuXU?e=L1klrp

And if you’re ready for the complete system—the exact 90-day plan that can help you pass the CT registry without burning out— stay tune and come back to check out my course: CT Registry Ready in 90 Days.
You don’t have to choose between passing your exam and protecting your mental health. You can do both. Let me show you how.

As I always say in my self-care journal, Empower Your Journey: “You’re not behind—you’re informed. And informed people rise differently.” ✨

Mz Bev, ARRT, RT (R) (C)