How to stay motivated day in day out?

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After a long day of studying, I have like 3 hrs to myself and then it's time to hit the sack. by this time Im tired and the next morning its repeating the same thing and after a week I feel like im gonna go insane

Originally Posted by mcatdestroyer

After a long day of studying, I have like 3 hrs to myself and then it's time to hit the sack. by this time Im tired and the next morning its repeating the same thing and after a week I feel like im gonna go insane

Remember what your long term goal is. Keep reminding yourself that this is one step towards achieving that goal.

It sounds like you might need a break. The last thing you want to do is burn out during MCAT studying. Take a day or two off, rest, and do some fun things for yourself.

Whenever I am feeling unmotivated, I watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

Have probably watched it 20+ times since I started studying. It does the trick.

Originally Posted by mcatdestroyer

After a long day of studying, I have like 3 hrs to myself and then it's time to hit the sack. by this time Im tired and the next morning its repeating the same thing and after a week I feel like im gonna go insane

Have you every worked a strenuous full-time job?

Just giving you a "grass is always greener" I would give ANYTHING to be able to quit my job and study for the MCAT full-time, but my finances simply won't allow it. Not trying to belittle your frustration (which is warranted), but think of studying more as your job and less of a huge inconvenience. Good luck!

Originally Posted by farnell

Whenever I am feeling unmotivated, I watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

Have probably watched it 20+ times since I started studying. It does the trick.

Yup start my day with this video.

if you need to watch videos of some dude working out on a beach with some street hustler dude narrating + need to ask this question, you dont want it bad enough.

Originally Posted by titleist975j

if you need to watch videos of some dude working out on a beach with some street hustler dude narrating + need to ask this question, you dont want it bad enough.

This. Though I won't deny watching it once is probably beneficial.

Think about all the people who wish they could study in the world and can't. Think about how lucky you have it. Think about your opportunities. Do not squander them.

Also, take breaks during your studying. Try 1 hour study - 15 min break - 1 hr study - 15 min break....until done

Don't re-review unnecessary stuff, and focus on your weak material. Trim down your work. E.g. if you are good with bio then just review its general concepts and allocate your efforts onto other areas.

Originally Posted by farnell

Whenever I am feeling unmotivated, I watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

Have probably watched it 20+ times since I started studying. It does the trick.

That video doesn't make me want to study, it makes me want to workout. Seems a bit counterproductive when trying to prep for the MCAT...

Originally Posted by Charles Darwin

That video doesn't make me want to study, it makes me want to workout. Seems a bit counterproductive when trying to prep for the MCAT...

It symbolizes work ethic and determination. The MCAT is a mental marathon, it takes pushing past your mental limits. Any serious athlete or former athlete can see the parallelism between pushing through fatigue and what's associated with it regardless of whether or not it's physical or mental.

Thanks for the post farnell.

Originally Posted by drbull

It symbolizes work ethic and determination. The MCAT is a mental marathon, it takes pushing past your mental limits. Any serious athlete or former athlete can see the parallelism between pushing through fatigue and what's associated with it regardless of whether or not it's physical or mental.

Thanks for the post farnell.

lol

I don't see how a youtube video of a guy working out is supposed to motivate me to turn another page in my prep book, sorry. Rather, my motivation is intrinsic, but perhaps you need to see a sweaty guy doing pushups to spur you on. Whatever works, man. Whatever works...

Options:

1. Break old appliances using centripetal force. Toasters are good. (handy if you work in retail and you are tasked with destroying failed products)

2. You tube videos that make you cry with laughter. (It is helpful to find other people more crazy then you are by studying for the MCAT) I am a Ray William Johnson fan. . . If you can handle darker humor, enjoy this RWJ moment with Josie at 28sec. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_VxS...eature=related . . . the commentary enhances the experience

3. Listening and singing to Party Rock by LMFAO, Firework by KP or other inspirational song from genre of your choice. Do this out loud.

4. http://www.steelo444.com/Richard_%22..._444/Home.html . . . if this guy can do this, you can drop kick the f-ing MCAT

5. Help someone finally understand Mitosis or the Krebs cycle (double dipping for hte altruism factor plus the possibility that you might actually get it correct! I knew I studied in during 15 different classes for a reason!)

6. Shadow surgery. Laproscopic is best if you want to see anything (Sorry spellcheckers if I got that wrong)

Drink coffee. Its stimulating cocktail amplifies the dopaminergic and adrenergic systems of the brain; these systems are crucial for motivation.

Originally Posted by brakk026

Remember what your long term goal is. Keep reminding yourself that this is one step towards achieving that goal.

It sounds like you might need a break. The last thing you want to do is burn out during MCAT studying. Take a day or two off, rest, and do some fun things for yourself.

Power through it man. Eight to 10 hours of studying a day is no big deal, and you'll have plenty of time for other things (cooking, exercise, etc.). Good luck!

You need to find what motivates you. Think about why you decided to pursue the profession, and if that can't motivate you enough to pull out your books and study for a few hours a day then you may want to seriously reconsider what your doing. Watching videos and stuff of motivation is a complete waste of time. the people you're watching had something unique that drove them, and you need to have the same.

Every doc has gone through this process. You need to hammer out a routine that works for YOU. SN2ed's study plan is a good basis but adapt it to your own circumstances and allow yourself to take breaks from time to time.

Originally Posted by typicalindian

You need to find what motivates you. Think about why you decided to pursue the profession, and if that can't motivate you enough to pull out your books and study for a few hours a day then you may want to seriously reconsider what your doing. Watching videos and stuff of motivation is a complete waste of time. the people you're watching had something unique that drove them, and you need to have the same.

Originally Posted by SeminoleVesicle

Every doc has gone through this process. You need to hammer out a routine that works for YOU. SN2ed's study plan is a good basis but adapt it to your own circumstances and allow yourself to take breaks from time to time.

Great advice guys!

Complaining about a full day of studying, though it is discouraging at times, seems to come from spoiled kids without much hard work ethic. I worked 70hr weeks, on top of school, in order to save money to take off this summer in order to study full-time. I feel like it is a damn vacation.. the opportunity to be financially able to sit on my ass and do nothing but read and practice for a test that will ultimately (hopefully) pave the path for the rest of my adult life is more of a blessing than a curse.

Wake up early, go for a walk, eat a good breakfast, sit down and devote 6-10 50 minute increments of straight studying (no FB, SDN, pornhub) with 10 minute breaks in between and man up. It is only a short time of suffering to reach a extremely difficult goal.

Though the MCAT is tough, I'm certain that once you're in medical school/become a doctor you're going to come across obstacles just as tough, if not tougher, than what you're experiencing now.

If you really want to become a doctor, motivation to study shouldn't be a problem.

^ lol pornhub

For me, what really helped was sticking to the plan. When I started studying, I rationed that if I made a plan that was reasonable, and incorporated times for me to relax and chill out, there should be no reason why I cannot complete it. People I know who have destroyed the MCAT I've talked to, still tell me how STEP1 is just overwhelming with information. And to believe you cannot study for a test that is a fraction of the difficulty/content of STEP1...then the real question is...could I even survive in med school?

This is what motivated me. If I couldn't get through a reasonable study schedule with the MCAT, there is no way I'm going to survive in med school. Thinking about that was scary enough for me, so I kept truckin along.

You just gotta be reasonable. find ways to enjoy your time when you're not mcating, but when you are studying, you gotta be 100%. Work hard, play hard.

I got an idea- how about SEX? great stress reliever

Originally Posted by studmuffin

I got an idea- how about SEX? great stress reliever

What's "sex"?

Originally Posted by OCDOCDOCD

What's "sex"?

lol