burned out....

[jy87]

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Hello everyone:

I am about two months into studying for the DAT which I will be writing in just under three weeks and I am burned out beyond belief.

A bit of a background on myself...I'm fairly conscientious and I normally can put in 5-6 hours of studying a day for a full week before a test/mid-term easily without feeling really tired.

I take quizzes/tests/mid-terms/exams very seriously and I have never had a problem having the energy to study for these things for a prolonged period of time.

Since about two weeks ago, I've gotten to the point where I feel like I can no longer even open my book anymore. When I come across a new term to remember or a new concept to grasp, I feel like I don't have the energy to do either of these things.

For anyone else who has gone through what I'm going through or is currently going through the same thing, how did you cope/are you coping?

I feel like a huge idiot for not taking this thing as seriously as I take every other test/exam I study for...I just feel like I'm completely burned out and the thought of another 4+ years of dental school after undergrad is (for the first time ever) so unappealing that I don't even know if I want to go into dentistry for that reason alone.

someone help me!!! i'm desperate!

 

[z3u2]

take a vacation/trip if u can...
no one can work/study forever

if a vacation is too much of a luxury.
the least u can do is to take a break for urself, relax, do some exercises, go to a beach/park and recharge urself

 

[swooth01]

Hey I know how you're feeling. I was feeling just like that a couple of days ago and instead of studying intensively, I was just skimming through my materials and not really making an effort to make sure it was something that I already knew or should be memorizing. I suggest taking a day break from studying and clear your head. Don't even think about the DAT or anything related to it. Go watch a movie, bowling, ball game, or anything that you really enjoying. After a day break from my materials I got right back at it and everything is going well. Hope this advice works for you, but everyone is different. Best of luck to you.

 

[schmick]

I am reaching that point, too. I've been just skimming stuff these past two days and I don't even recall a large part of what I went through today. I'm certainly taking it easy tomorrow and going out tomorrow night. I think you need a short break to recharge the batteries. 🙂

 

[Joey413]

Hey man,
Don't just study, you must be able to juggle many things at once. You cant just study for 4 yrs straight if this is your plan you will get really depressed and become another NYU statistic. I suggest to sign up to a gym, or go for a jog for an hour or two, completely forget your about your studies in these few hours, I dont know..catch a movie..Go the bar...Taking a vacation is good but learn how to take breaks during the day..

 

[uesider]

I was in your same situation last week... you definitely need a break! I felt totally guilty but I went to a concert all day Saturday (Live Earth), out Saturday night, and did about 2 hours of studying Sunday night but that's it for the weekend.. (usually I do 7 hrs/day on weekends!) You need a day or two to NOT EVEN TOUCH any materials... and do not feel guilty... everyone needs a break! And you're not learning anything if you're just skimming stuff and it's going in one ear out the other anyway... may as well be doing something more fun than that 🙂

I went back to studying hardcore on Monday and have been fine since then. I totally understand not wanting to study for 4 years also... I saw people studying for the med boards last week and was like, THIS is what I have to look forward to??? but there's so much more to it than tests! Of course studying is a huge part, but there are many other factors and also I have heard it is MUCH easier to study in dental school when all your classmates are doing the same thing. Right now we all probably do not have friends studying for the DAT as well (I know I don't!) so it's much harder to stay focused and motivated.

Go do something fun this weekend, and good luck!!

 

[litldime]

take some time off to recuperate (sp?)....it'll make a big difference....
-ld

 

[iggy1124]

at the end of each day or beginning of each day i usually jog...relives stress and clears your head

 

[s0chon02]

My case, i find it helpful to study with a friend who's there to study the DAT with you and kinda push you with friendly competition 🙂 then finish your day off with one hour of swimming! i highly recommend exercising physically at the end of your day to relieve stress and whatnot.

 

[vhh007]

take a break, sounds like you have already put in a lot of work and then really push the last week or so before the test (cram!) It will all pay off in the end! good luck

 

[bkim]

http://www.jy87.youaremighty.com

 

[El Sol]

http://www.jy87.youaremighty.com

LoL, that's pretty clever. 😀

 

[jy87]

wow! thanks everyone for the advice!!!

I did in fact take a break and got completely hammered last night 🙂 ...today was the first day I did absolutely nothing in a long time...I'm definitely feeling recharged now. It's surpising how much my mindset and perspective on things has changed just over the course of 24 hours!

once again, i'm reminded of how incredible of a resource SDN is! thanks again everyone!!!!

 

[drteeth]

I totally know how you felt. Now that youre feeling better try and continue to eat healthy and do at least a few minutes of exercise each day. I felt so burned out today and decided to get up and go to the gym. When I got back to studying I felt like a completely new man...
Good luck!