Running into a wall

[yanks26dmb]

Not literally, although that may be more enjoyable. We're in the middle of our neuro block, going over all the pathways and tracts, and cerebellar integration, and etc etc etc... and I don't know I'm just hitting a wall here. Just feel so completely overwhelmed which I've somehow managed to avoid in up to this point (M2 btw). I'm not burnt out, and my grades are still very solid, but I just feel like I'm buried under a lot of difficult stuff and have no idea how I'm going to retain all of this info (plus everything from the last 1+ year) for boards which isn't as far away as it used to seem.... trying to squeeze in bro's deck and uworld on top of regular class work is seeming impossible at this point .

Anyone else ever get like this and have any tips on how to get over this? Maybe I just needed to vent... I don't know, but having a tough time right now..

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[ThePenguin21]

First of all, hit pause on the board review until you're finished with neuro. Neuro is high yield and should be learned right the first time and should occupy all of your attention (or most of it anyway). Once you're past it, then you can jump right back into your decks or FA or whatever it is you're doing to prepare for boards, which is great that you're even doing that at this point. In my class, neuro block is January-February and most people put everything aside and learn neuro only, because it needs to be respected in that way. Then it's full steam ahead to COMLEX (and USMLE). On the bright side, you're getting the hardest block out of the way early on in 2nd year.

Just to add to this, I also smell some burn out. Not the "I wanna quit everything now" burn out but there's a hint of it. Whenever I sense that, it's time to change things up. Wake up earlier. Wake up later. Study at the library instead of your kitchen or bedroom. Study in your kitchen or bedroom instead of the library. Roll through a few lectures with some friends if you study alone. Reward yourself for the small victories like nailing a neuro quiz or whatever else by grabbing some Netflix time or going climbing or buying a new fall jacket or whatever it is you're into. This is strategy. It's not a weakness and will be good when we're in mid-May ready to hammerthrow all board prep materials into a river.

 

[electrolight]

First of all, hit pause on the board review until you're finished with neuro. Neuro is high yield and should be learned right the first time and should occupy all of your attention (or most of it anyway). Once you're past it, then you can jump right back into your decks or FA or whatever it is you're doing to prepare for boards, which is great that you're even doing that at this point. In my class, neuro block is January-February and most people put everything aside and learn neuro only, because it needs to be respected in that way. Then it's full steam ahead to COMLEX (and USMLE). On the bright side, you're getting the hardest block out of the way early on in 2nd year.

Just to add to this, I also smell some burn out. Not the "I wanna quit everything now" burn out but there's a hint of it. Whenever I sense that, it's time to change things up. Wake up earlier. Wake up later. Study at the library instead of your kitchen or bedroom. Study in your kitchen or bedroom instead of the library. Roll through a few lectures with some friends if you study alone. Reward yourself for the small victories like nailing a neuro quiz or whatever else by grabbing some Netflix time or going climbing or buying a new fall jacket or whatever it is you're into. This is strategy. It's not a weakness and will be good when we're in mid-May ready to hammerthrow all board prep materials into a river.

And don't forget about Prewards. I eat sushi before really hard exams. I'm prewarding myself before I ace that exam.

 

[Goro]

Sorry to hear this....this is crunch time, although I have students who freak out about Boards a few days after Orientation.

Step back and concentrate on Neuro, and make some time for yourself. Practice mindfulness. Exercise.

For Board review, start by studying where you're weakest. Use as many practice exam questions as you can get ahold of.

Not literally, although that may be more enjoyable. We're in the middle of our neuro block, going over all the pathways and tracts, and cerebellar integration, and etc etc etc... and I don't know I'm just hitting a wall here. Just feel so completely overwhelmed which I've somehow managed to avoid in up to this point (M2 btw). I'm not burnt out, and my grades are still very solid, but I just feel like I'm buried under a lot of difficult stuff and have no idea how I'm going to retain all of this info (plus everything from the last 1+ year) for boards which isn't as far away as it used to seem.... trying to squeeze in bro's deck and uworld on top of regular class work is seeming impossible at this point .

Anyone else ever get like this and have any tips on how to get over this? Maybe I just needed to vent... I don't know, but having a tough time right now..

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Honestly all I've felt since second year is exhaustion and generally been accepting the notion that I'm not smart. But still smart enough to be a doctor!

 

[Mr Roboto]

Honestly all I've felt since second year is exhaustion and generally been accepting the notion that I'm not smart. But still smart enough to be a doctor!

Ugh right. Talking to my classmates is just depressing. How do they learn so much, so fast??

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Ugh right. Talking to my classmates is just depressing. How do they learn so much, so fast??

I suppose the benefit of my school is that legitimately everyone is pretty burnt out.

 

[Mr Roboto]

I suppose the benefit of my school is that legitimately everyone is pretty burnt out.

We're only in block one, that's coming soon enough.

 

[SLC]

Ugh right. Talking to my classmates is just depressing. How do they learn so much, so fast??

It's all self preservatory talk. Nobody is learning so much more than you, but everyone hopes you'll think they're hyper-intelligent.

 

[SLC]

Honestly all I've felt since second year is exhaustion and generally been accepting the notion that I'm not smart. But still smart enough to be a doctor!

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV) you don't have to be that smart to be a doctor. And when I say you, I mean the royal you, not you specifically.

 

[WorldChanger36]

It's all self preservatory talk. Nobody is learning so much more than you, but everyone hopes you'll think they're hyper-intelligent.

This. Oh this. Yep this is exactly how it is at my school. People will talk up all kinds of stuff to look smart during that block but hand this a qbank question on the exact thing they were talking about and they are just as clueless. Ask them about it in the next block completely forgot it was even taught. Some people are great fact memorizors but don't drink in long term information. In the end we are all at about the same level. The key is to just not be the weakest link in the chain.

OP I recommend getting yourself a regular schedule and work in your classwork and board study prep. Cramfighter and other software can help you put together a regular schedule and for boards stick to the essentials... FA, Pathoma, DIT , UWorld and the green OMT review book. Slowly add in more and more board prep as you go and set in a dedicated study period as soon as your school ends classes. Give yourself time for exercise and non study and when your brain says nope take the day or at least a half day off. The amount of study we do is crazy not everything is going to fit and you have to be ok with that. Remember people smarter and dumber than you have all made it and you can to. Its a marathon not a sprint.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Traditionally board studying happens at the beginning of second semester. Starting this early is very good, but don't make the mistake that now is the time you need to take it religiously. If neuro is hitting you hard, pause the board study and finish neuro.

 

[JustPlainBill]

Not literally, although that may be more enjoyable. We're in the middle of our neuro block, going over all the pathways and tracts, and cerebellar integration, and etc etc etc... and I don't know I'm just hitting a wall here. Just feel so completely overwhelmed which I've somehow managed to avoid in up to this point (M2 btw). I'm not burnt out, and my grades are still very solid, but I just feel like I'm buried under a lot of difficult stuff and have no idea how I'm going to retain all of this info (plus everything from the last 1+ year) for boards which isn't as far away as it used to seem.... trying to squeeze in bro's deck and uworld on top of regular class work is seeming impossible at this point .

Anyone else ever get like this and have any tips on how to get over this? Maybe I just needed to vent... I don't know, but having a tough time right now..

You are in the beginnings of burnout -- deal with it now.

1) Agree with stopping board review at this time until you're through with Neuro. Best way to study for boards is to learn it right the first time.
2) Take a long weekend off from studying. Trust me when I say some time doing things you really enjoy doing -- and I mean completely doing them, not "Oh, God, I need to be studying but I'll do this to tell myself I'm taking a break and worry about losing the study time the whole time I'm doing it but I can check the box that says I took a break and come back wound up, exhausted and feeling behind" type of break --- leave the books, laptop, phone, everything and get out of Dodge to go do things you enjoy for a weekend. Come back fit, well rested, and readjusted. Helps to stop and smell the roses so you remember WHY you're doing all of this -- and this will apply during the rest of your medical career. Burnout is a real thing and it is not good for you or your patients.
3) Do not get wrapped around the axle about board scores --- I don't know how many times attendings have said this to students -- I'd rather have someone who busts their behind, recognizes their own weaknesses and works to improve them than some natural, know it all that is a jerk at 3AM.

Recall that thousands of people a lot less smart than you have gone through this and are now Neuro/ortho/general surgeons or critical care specialists, EM docs or whatever specialty you are shooting for ---

Get some.

 

[ortnakas]

I know it feels like boards are coming soon, but I promise that May/June is actually REALLY FAR AWAY. Second year is a marathon. Don't try to sprint it. It's okay to take a break from UWorld if you need it, rather that's to study for neuro or to unwind a bit. It sounds like more neuro time and more relaxing time are both much needed. Per usual, @JustPlainBill has solid life balance advice.

I also agree with @ThePenguin21 that it will be good to learn neuro well the first time, if you can. You may feel like you're not doing boards studying, but there's actually a lot of neuro on the boards, especially COMLEX. Your April boards-focused-studying will go much more smoothly if you learn as much as you can now.

Ugh right. Talking to my classmates is just depressing. How do they learn so much, so fast??

They're talking a big game. 90% of your class is just as stressed as you are. They just might be better at hiding it.

 

[zero0]

This. Oh this. Yep this is exactly how it is at my school. People will talk up all kinds of stuff to look smart during that block but hand this a qbank question on the exact thing they were talking about and they are just as clueless. Ask them about it in the next block completely forgot it was even taught. Some people are great fact memorizors but don't drink in long term information. In the end we are all at about the same level. The key is to just not be the weakest link in the chain.

OP I recommend getting yourself a regular schedule and work in your classwork and board study prep. Cramfighter and other software can help you put together a regular schedule and for boards stick to the essentials... FA, Pathoma, DIT , UWorld and the green OMT review book. Slowly add in more and more board prep as you go and set in a dedicated study period as soon as your school ends classes. Give yourself time for exercise and non study and when your brain says nope take the day or at least a half day off. The amount of study we do is crazy not everything is going to fit and you have to be ok with that. Remember people smarter and dumber than you have all made it and you can to. Its a marathon not a sprint.

DIT? That's a new one. Is it any good?

While I'm at it, what do you guys think of FA for COMLEX? I've been told it was garbage and to not bother with it.

 

[WorldChanger36]

DIT? That's a new one. Is it any good?

While I'm at it, what do you guys think of FA for COMLEX? I've been told it was garbage and to not bother with it.

DIT is doctors in training. First aid is a gold standard essential resource. Who ever told you it was garbage either is very misinformed or trying to deliberately mislead you.


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[ortnakas]

DIT is doctors in training. First aid is a gold standard essential resource. Who ever told you it was garbage either is very misinformed or trying to deliberately mislead you.


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First Aid for USMLE is the gold standard essential resource. First Aid for COMLEX is OMM-focused and pretty useless (Savarese is better).

 

[WorldChanger36]

First Aid for USMLE is the gold standard essential resource. First Aid for COMLEX is OMM-focused and pretty useless (Savarese is better).

I am pretty confused right now. Are we talking about the book first aid for THE COMLEX or are we talking about useing first aid for comlex? Am i making any sense? I thought we were talking about using first aid at all. I just found out there was an FA for the comlex.


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[ortnakas]

I am pretty confused right now. Are we talking about the book first aid for THE COMLEX or are we talking about useing first aid for comlex? Am i making any sense? I thought we were talking about using first aid at all. I just found out there was an FA for the comlex.


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When people say "First Aid" they're generally referring to the USMLE version First Aid for the USMLE (99.9% of the time). There's also a book called First Aid for the COMLEX which some DO students accidentally buy thinking it'll have everything on the USMLE plus OPP, but it's really just an OPP review book that isn't as thorough as OMT Review (generally referred to just as "Savarese"). Would hate for you or OP or @zero0 to make that expensive mistake.

 

[WorldChanger36]

When people say "First Aid" they're generally referring to the USMLE version First Aid for the USMLE (99.9% of the time). There's also a book called First Aid for the COMLEX which some DO students accidentally buy thinking it'll have everything on the USMLE plus OPP, but it's really just an OPP review book that isn't as thorough as OMT Review (generally referred to just as "Savarese"). Would hate for you or OP or @zero0 to make that expensive mistake.

Ok now we are on the same page.


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[zero0]

When people say "First Aid" they're generally referring to the USMLE version First Aid for the USMLE (99.9% of the time). There's also a book called First Aid for the COMLEX which some DO students accidentally buy thinking it'll have everything on the USMLE plus OPP, but it's really just an OPP review book that isn't as thorough as OMT Review (generally referred to just as "Savarese"). Would hate for you or OP or @zero0 to make that expensive mistake.

That's pretty much what I've been told. Thanks for clearing it up.

I am pretty confused right now. Are we talking about the book first aid for THE COMLEX or are we talking about useing first aid for comlex? Am i making any sense? I thought we were talking about using first aid at all. I just found out there was an FA for the comlex.


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I was specifically talking about the book FA for the COMLEX. Everyone's pretty unanimous about FA for USMLE being the gold standard. Still the first I've heard of DIT though. The way you casually snuck it in there between name brand staples like Pathoma and Uworld made me think I was missing out for a second.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

That's pretty much what I've been told. Thanks for clearing it up.

I was specifically talking about the book FA for the COMLEX. Everyone's pretty unanimous about FA for USMLE being the gold standard. Still the first I've heard of DIT though. The way you casually snuck it in there between name brand staples like Pathoma and Uworld made me think I was missing out for a second.

DIT has been around for some time. I'm surprised it is new to you. It's basically just people reading first aid to you and adding some more mnemonics. Not really something worth buying. The pirated videos are universally shared by students. Only video I do think is worth watching is their rules of 4 in neurology video.

 

[JustPlainBill]

DIT has been around for some time. I'm surprised it is new to you. It's basically just people reading first aid to you and adding some more mnemonics. Not really something worth buying. The pirated videos are universally shared by students. Only video I do think is worth watching is their rules of 4 in neurology video.

Used DIT for Comlex 2 and only increased my score by 2 points. I felt like I was spending more time trying to cover his crib sheets and running back and forth to the location than I was really studying.

For Level 3, I went with Comquest and FA....studied less but increased my scores considerably. If I had to do it again, it'd be UW during the first 2 years to learn it, note taking in FA as I've alluded to previously and then multiple iterations of Comquest prior to Comlex and then a quick review through UW for about 2 weeks to go spank the USMLE.....

Comquest does a good job of asking questions "The Osteopathic Way" ;-) and gets you ready for the idiocy that is the Comlex.

 

[ortnakas]

I loved DIT for Step 1, but I know I'm in the minority on SDN (I've also heard it's stronger for Step 1 than Step 2. Don't know anyone who's used it for Step 3). It's definitely not for everyone, so if it's not for you by all means save your money, but I know I appreciated having one organized pass of someone explaining things to me.

 

[yanks26dmb]

You are in the beginnings of burnout -- deal with it now.

1) Agree with stopping board review at this time until you're through with Neuro. Best way to study for boards is to learn it right the first time.
2) Take a long weekend off from studying. Trust me when I say some time doing things you really enjoy doing -- and I mean completely doing them, not "Oh, God, I need to be studying but I'll do this to tell myself I'm taking a break and worry about losing the study time the whole time I'm doing it but I can check the box that says I took a break and come back wound up, exhausted and feeling behind" type of break --- leave the books, laptop, phone, everything and get out of Dodge to go do things you enjoy for a weekend. Come back fit, well rested, and readjusted. Helps to stop and smell the roses so you remember WHY you're doing all of this -- and this will apply during the rest of your medical career. Burnout is a real thing and it is not good for you or your patients.
3) Do not get wrapped around the axle about board scores --- I don't know how many times attendings have said this to students -- I'd rather have someone who busts their behind, recognizes their own weaknesses and works to improve them than some natural, know it all that is a jerk at 3AM.

Recall that thousands of people a lot less smart than you have gone through this and are now Neuro/ortho/general surgeons or critical care specialists, EM docs or whatever specialty you are shooting for ---

Get some.

Thanks for your message. It's odd because I don't feel burnt out. I feel motivated to go go go. My anxiety starts creeping in when I feel like I'm not doing enough, particularly for boards....so this is what allows me to study 10+ hours a day 6-7 days a week. Though like you mentioned, I did take the previous two weekends off.

I guess for the first time since I started, my level of effort wasn't rewarded with the type of grade I imagined I'd get...and this has snowballed into feeling inadequate and/or at risk for the same thing happening with boards. I do appreciate your sentiments and will do my best to ignore my brain and take what you said to heart.

 

[JustPlainBill]

Thanks for your message. It's odd because I don't feel burnt out. I feel motivated to go go go. My anxiety starts creeping in when I feel like I'm not doing enough, particularly for boards....so this is what allows me to study 10+ hours a day 6-7 days a week. Though like you mentioned, I did take the previous two weekends off.

I guess for the first time since I started, my level of effort wasn't rewarded with the type of grade I imagined I'd get...and this has snowballed into feeling inadequate and/or at risk for the same thing happening with boards. I do appreciate your sentiments and will do my best to ignore my brain and take what you said to heart.

To quote a guy I learned to hate in the 90s when I was working at Northern Telecom (Nortel Networks and it's BNR (Bell Northern Research aka Big Nerd Ranch)) in the 90s writing software for them -- Take time to sharpen the axe -- Steven Covey -- he wrote the book, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People --- one of these comes from the story of the guy who was told he had only so many hours to down a particular tree with an axe -- when asked the first thing he'd do -- he replied "Sharpen the Axe" -- which morphed into -- how do we sharpen "our" axe -- and the answer was -- take a break! -- or something similar --- and they calmly pointed out that as Americans we tend to work more than any other "civilized" country on the planet yet our "productivity" is not matching our time spent.

You just stated you're not seeing results in keeping with the perceived effort --- go sharpen the axe.

Why did I hate Covey --- because, as with all large companies and small minded middle managers -- Covey was the latest, greatest motivational type and became the answer to all of our problems --- to the point where everyone was issued a Daytimer, we had Franklin-Covey classes to teach us goal setting, life purpose statements and the whole banana --- didn't help for jack, poor planning is still poor planning and overly aggressive managers are still idiots. Company is no longer with us but the idiocy in mid-management still remains.....now, computers are the answer to all things medical -- why just look at our medical education -- all of OUR students have COMPUTERS -- which suddenly makes our education the BEST...why, OUR hospital is on EMR which makes us THE BEST....puh-lease ----- how about we cut out the level of administration that gets between us and the patient and let the docs do their job ---

Ok, I feel better now, thanks for letting me semi-hijack the thread ---

but seriously -- consider taking a 3 day weekend ---

 

[jerfer]

current M1 here, so not feeling near as much stress because boards a bit further away for me. But I'm feeling a lot of this too - trouble focusing, really struggling to get motivated. my grades are also solid. i have a few pretty challenging exams coming up and just haven't felt like i've been able to study effectively for them. would love to know how you guys have learned to combat this.

 

[WorldChanger36]

current M1 here, so not feeling near as much stress because boards a bit further away for me. But I'm feeling a lot of this too - trouble focusing, really struggling to get motivated. my grades are also solid. i have a few pretty challenging exams coming up and just haven't felt like i've been able to study effectively for them. would love to know how you guys have learned to combat this.

You dont combat it you accept it. A part of ned school is understanding we are limited and we just cant get it all. Remember Cs are just fine in med school. Give yourself time to drink in the info and be ok with not getting perfect or even near perfect grades. Ok grades are ok. Take a day off and dont study, just chill. You will be surprised what is in your head after you get back on the books after taking a day off.


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