Can't study unless absolutely necessary :(

[ponybreeder4]

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Hi guys, so i've always had this problem, but i used to get by okay with it in high school, in college however it has cost me some potential A's and of course i can't afford to do this for the MCAT. So i absolutely cannot force myself to study unless my midterm/final is a couple days away. I have tried convincing myself that it would be so much less stressful if i studied little by little, and i would get better grades too because i'm not cramming, but still i just cant seem to crack open a book unless its days before a midterm. This weekend i tried myself locking inside to study, to no avail. I don't know what to do anymore. Please help!

 

[AdmiralChz]

This isn't all that uncommon, you could have something like ADD (please, no flame war...). Go see your physician or a psychiatrist who can help you with this - nothing to be ashamed of really. Easily taken care of with medication.

Also - try making a study schedule for yourself and force yourself to adhere to it. Having a set schedule always helps me.

 

[WannaBeMD89]

Hi guys, so i've always had this problem, but i used to get by okay with it in high school, in college however it has cost me some potential A's and of course i can't afford to do this for the MCAT. So i absolutely cannot force myself to study unless my midterm/final is a couple days away. I have tried convincing myself that it would be so much less stressful if i studied little by little, and i would get better grades too because i'm not cramming, but still i just cant seem to crack open a book unless its days before a midterm. This weekend i tried myself locking inside to study, to no avail. I don't know what to do anymore. Please help!

I used to have this same problem actually. When I went through nursing school before I switched to biochem/pre-med, I would just study the night before tests, but I had a professor that really helped me. What I would do, which only took roughly an hour or so, is to look at the syllabus for the next class and read in the book what was going to be taught. Then I would make my own notes in my own words, print them out and bring them to class to compare during lectures. Really helped a lot.

By the way, if you're not determined to learn/study to earn good grades, you never will. Goodluck! Try it, it may work for you.

 

[WannaBePreMed]

Hi guys, so i've always had this problem, but i used to get by okay with it in high school, in college however it has cost me some potential A's and of course i can't afford to do this for the MCAT. So i absolutely cannot force myself to study unless my midterm/final is a couple days away. I have tried convincing myself that it would be so much less stressful if i studied little by little, and i would get better grades too because i'm not cramming, but still i just cant seem to crack open a book unless its days before a midterm. This weekend i tried myself locking inside to study, to no avail. I don't know what to do anymore. Please help!

I'm the same way. I have three lab reports and a paper due tomorrow and I haven't started. I probably won't start until like 10 or 11 tonight.

 

[236116]

I'm the same way. I have three lab reports and a paper due tomorrow and I haven't started. I probably won't start until like 10 or 11 tonight.

Same thing, different workload

I don't think I've taken notes at all this term.

 

[BlueElmo]

It's like the opposite for me. I wish I could stop studying. If I don't study, then I feel like I am wasting my time. And I feel horrible. How to overcome this feeling?🙁

 

[WannaBeMD89]

It's like the opposite for me. I wish I could stop studying. If I don't study, then I feel like I am wasting my time. And I feel horrible. How to overcome this feeling?🙁

I'm the same way now. I feel lame lol cause everyones like lets go do something and here I am studying. Noone understands the life of a pre-med unless they are one.

 

[dw2158]

It's like the opposite for me. I wish I could stop studying. If I don't study, then I feel like I am wasting my time. And I feel horrible. How to overcome this feeling?🙁

therapy. or a girlfriend. 😎

 

[000]

I have the same problem although I tell myself its OK because I am at a community college. The problem is not studying, as I dont mind doing that at all, its doing homework, prelabs etc. I put them off till the last minute, especially my online GE classes (i dont reccomend online classes) My girlfriend is a chem major at the UC I want to go to, and she studies all day everyday...it literally is her life (even when I come over friday nights she is usually studying)
I know Ill never be like that as an undergrad, but I know alot of change is going to have to happen once I get to a university.

 

[vickpick]

man! im the same way as the OP... maybe i should look into what ADD is.... it never occured to me that might be the prob..

hmmmm....

 

[235009]

Hi guys, so i've always had this problem, but i used to get by okay with it in high school, in college however it has cost me some potential A's and of course i can't afford to do this for the MCAT. So i absolutely cannot force myself to study unless my midterm/final is a couple days away. I have tried convincing myself that it would be so much less stressful if i studied little by little, and i would get better grades too because i'm not cramming, but still i just cant seem to crack open a book unless its days before a midterm. This weekend i tried myself locking inside to study, to no avail. I don't know what to do anymore. Please help!

i have always been the exact same way....hopefully things will change during med school since for the first time ever i won't have a job and other activities to worry about while in school. and it's definitely not ADD...as you can tell from the responses in this thread it is quite normal

It's like the opposite for me. I wish I could stop studying. If I don't study, then I feel like I am wasting my time. And I feel horrible. How to overcome this feeling?🙁

get a life....go out and have some fun....don't waste college or you'll regret it

I'm the same way now. I feel lame lol cause everyones like lets go do something and here I am studying. Noone understands the life of a pre-med unless they are one.

STFU ....this is such BS....premed isn't that hard....its a bunch of basic science classes (+orgo) that most science majors and every engineer has to take (including orgo for BME and chemE). if you think premed is hard you are probably doing something wrong because there are people doing things much harder than premed and they aren't spending all their free time in the library

 

[WannaBePreMed]

Same thing, different workload

I don't think I've taken notes at all this term.

Hehe yup my workload for tonite isn't that bad x] I'd be dead if I had real work due or like a midterm or sometime tomorrow.

Btw: i started my lab reports lol, my friend called me to go play basketball later so I HAD to start or else haha.

 

[235009]

I would definitely agree to no one understands how difficult it is to apply to med school (I think my parents just sort of gave up trying to understand how it works after the five times I've explained it, using diagrams no less!)

i'll agree with that....unlike applying to other grad and professional schools applying to med school is pretty grueling ....with secondaries and interviews and some requirements varying by school

 

[confusedchild]

I think I have the same problem. Can't get myself to study until the last minute for many things. I've gotten a lot better a this as in I start earlier now but it's still not well spread out. It's not ADD, it's lazy side of human nature and wanting to minimize effort for maximum results... But for me, I think I care enough about my grades that I somehow have the ability to allocate the appropriate amount of time to do decently. For harder classes I start earlier and for easier ones I start much later sometimes as little as 2-3 hours before the exam. But for hard ones, I have started as early as a week before.

 

[WannaBeMD89]

STFU ....this is such BS....premed isn't that hard....its a bunch of basic science classes (+orgo) that most science majors and every engineer has to take (including orgo for BME and chemE). if you think premed is hard you are probably doing something wrong because there are people doing things much harder than premed and they aren't spending all their free time in the library

dude calm down.. when i say the life of a pre-med, i'm talking about pursuing a degree in a difficult field, such as engineering, biochemistry, or molecular biology. any degree in itself can be hard and challenging.. this also entails the studying for MCATs applying to schools and such. so in no way was i absolutely JUST talking about the classes. so don't jump the gun buddy.

 

[BlueElmo]

therapy. or a girlfriend. 😎

I've been trying my friend, to no avail.

 

[000]

STFU ....this is such BS....premed isn't that hard....its a bunch of basic science classes (+orgo) that most science majors and every engineer has to take (including orgo for BME and chemE). if you think premed is hard you are probably doing something wrong because there are people doing things much harder than premed and they aren't spending all their free time in the library

I agree with this. To compare the the premed requirements of gen and Ochem, basic physics, calc, and basic BIO to those who seriously have no lives (physics, engineering) is a bit ridiculous. The study study study socially challenged mentality occurs in every major really, medicine simply attracts these types of people in my opinion.

 

[AdmiralChz]

dude calm down.. when i say the life of a pre-med, i'm talking about pursuing a degree in a difficult field, such as engineering, biochemistry, or molecular biology. any degree in itself can be hard and challenging.. this also entails the studying for MCATs applying to schools and such. so in no way was i absolutely JUST talking about the classes. so don't jump the gun buddy.

I'm premed. I'm currently so bored I'm watching the celebrity apprentice, probably hitting up bars afterwards. Notice how none of that involves studying 😀

 

[WannaBeMD89]

I'm premed. I'm currently so bored I'm watching the celebrity apprentice, probably hitting up bars afterwards. Notice how none of that involves studying 😀

you know what i mean, smart*** 😀

 

[AdmiralChz]

you know what i mean, smart*** 😀

Don't mind me, I'm just stirring the pot

 

[losangelesrep]

I have the same problem which has led me to terrible midterm grades this semester. My younger brother was diagnosed with ADHD and kind of "grew" out of the "H" part so he doesn't need medication, but he's easily distracted and doesn't study until last minute like me.

Does anyone think it's worth it to go to a professional and get diagnosed? My mom was really opposed to me going to see someone, but I'd rather take ritalin and be really focused even if it makes me lose my appetite.

 

[Ponger]

I have the same problem which has led me to terrible midterm grades this semester. My younger brother was diagnosed with ADHD and kind of "grew" out of the "H" part so he doesn't need medication, but he's easily distracted and doesn't study until last minute like me.

Does anyone think it's worth it to go to a professional and get diagnosed? My mom was really opposed to me going to see someone, but I'd rather take ritalin and be really focused even if it makes me lose my appetite.

Well if you legitimately can't do any work without drugs, then yes, but you don't make it sound like that. A lot of people I know that have legitimate ADD say that the drugs just get them back to the same level of focus as normal people. They also say that if they had the chance they wouldn't use the drugs because the drugs have serious mental and physical effects at times. One of my friends said that when he switched off his ADD medicine for a while he felt like he could think clearer than he had be able to in a while.

Besides being unethical as well, if you can't get through college without need the equivalent of brain steroids you may not be cut out for medicine anyway. It's not like you'd stop when things get even tougher in med school/residency.

 

[236116]

Besides being unethical as well, if you can't get through college without need the equivalent of brain steroids you may not be cut out for medicine anyway. It's not like you'd stop when things get even tougher in med school/residency.

you fail.

 

[majahops]

I, for one, do need stimulants to compensate for the neurotransmitter deficit I have as an individual with severe ADD. I get straights F's off of medicine versus straight A's on medicine, independent of time spent on "studying."

To say that I am concerned that medical school might be too much for me to overcome as a person with severe ADD, even on medicine, is an understatement. But, I am going to try my best and let the chips fall where they may. I think I'll make a great doctor, but I don't want any extra time on tests and I don't want any other hand-outs, because my future patients deserve a proven student and practitioner who can process information and make decisions in a timely manner.

I wish more than anything that I could do it without medicine (I wish I could do ANYTHING that required concentrating for more than two minutes without medicine). But at the same time, I am also eternally grateful that there is an effective treatment for my disorder. Therein lies my internal conflict, but it will remain a conflict regardless of what field I go in to.

To everyone struggling to become the best doctor they can be, best of luck to you. However you do it, if you have the well-being of your future patients at heart, then you are my hero - whether you make it or not.

 

[dw2158]

I, for one, do need stimulants to compensate for the neurotransmitter deficit I have as an individual with severe ADD. I get straights F's off of medicine versus straight A's on medicine, independent of time spent on "studying."

To say that I am concerned that medical school might be too much for me to overcome as a person with severe ADD, even on medicine, is an understatement. But, I am going to try my best and let the chips fall where they may. I think I'll make a great doctor, but I don't want any extra time on tests and I don't want any other hand-outs, because my future patients deserve a proven student and practitioner who can process information and make decisions in a timely manner.

I wish more than anything that I could do it without medicine (I wish I could do ANYTHING that required concentrating for more than two minutes without medicine). But at the same time, I am also eternally grateful that there is an effective treatment for my disorder. Therein lies my internal conflict, but it will remain a conflict regardless of what field I go in to.

To everyone struggling to become the best doctor they can be, best of luck to you. However you do it, if you have the well-being of your future patients at heart, then you are my hero - whether you make it or not.

best post i've read in a long time. thank you, maja. YOU are great!

 

[DLi]

I've been told by a doctor once that I have ADHD, but I managed to pull my way out of it without medication so far, even though an Adderall sure can help now and then.

You already did the first part by knowing you have a problem and trying to fix it, you just have to take it to the next step. Adderall/Ritalin are effective treatments by are by no means the solutions to your problems.

 

[majahops]

I appreciate and agree with the sentiment of your comments. I must remind you though that legitimate ADD is the result of a neurotransmitter deficit (and has even been found to be associated with structural differences in the brain in some studies, but that is as of yet not well enough substantiated so don't consider it here). In a sense, then, stimulants that correct the chemical imbalance causing the symptoms collectively referred to as "ADD," are as much of a "solution" to ADD as a prosthetic leg is to a person who has a leg deficit (i.e. is missing their leg). Perhaps the prosthetic leg isn't a complete solution to the absence of an organic leg, but I'm not about to tell a legless person they need to be in search of a more "permanent" solution.

One of the gravest tragedies for people with bonafide ADD is that so many other people with ADD-like symptoms have been at some point diagnosed with ADD (even though the don't have it) and have been able to "get by" off of medication. As a result, there is a common misconception that people can "work through" or "adjust to" their ADD. But in reality, those who were able to thrive while OFF of their medication likely had close to normal organic functioning in the first place, and that is why they were able to thrive. On the other hand, those with bonafide ADD had organic chemical imbalances - the regulation of which simply cannot be controlled by "will power" or conscious thought (particularly when you consider that the conscious thought itself would be mediated by a mind afflicted with ADD).

In other words, with all due respect, if you have been able to make it through the premed curriculum without medication, then you, my friend, do not have ADD. People who don't have ADD might understandably chime in here and ask "how can you tell this person they don't have ADD when his/her physician diagnosed them with it? do you think you're more knowledgeable than an MD with regards to psychiatric conditions?" ... but anybody with legitimate, lifelong ADD will know EXACTLY what I am talking about and will share my frustration on the subject.

Still, I appreciate your comments very much.

I've been told by a doctor once that I have ADHD, but I managed to pull my way out of it without medication so far, even though an Adderall sure can help now and then.

You already did the first part by knowing you have a problem and trying to fix it, you just have to take it to the next step. Adderall/Ritalin are effective treatments by are by no means the solutions to your problems.

 

[WannaBeMD89]

Don't mind me, I'm just stirring the pot

ha, i couldn't tell AT ALLL

 

[DLi]

I appreciate and agree with the sentiment of your comments. I must remind you though that legitimate ADD is the result of a neurotransmitter deficit (and has even been found to be associated with structural differences in the brain in some studies, but that is as of yet not well enough substantiated so don't consider it here). In a sense, then, stimulants that correct the chemical imbalance causing the symptoms collectively referred to as "ADD," are as much of a "solution" to ADD as a prosthetic leg is to a person who has a leg deficit (i.e. is missing their leg). Perhaps the prosthetic leg isn't a complete solution to the absence of an organic leg, but I'm not about to tell a legless person they need to be in search of a more "permanent" solution.

One of the gravest tragedies for people with bonafide ADD is that so many other people with ADD-like symptoms have been at some point diagnosed with ADD (even though the don't have it) and have been able to "get by" off of medication. As a result, there is a common misconception that people can "work through" or "adjust to" their ADD. But in reality, those who were able to thrive while OFF of their medication likely had close to normal organic functioning in the first place, and that is why they were able to thrive. On the other hand, those with bonafide ADD had organic chemical imbalances - the regulation of which simply cannot be controlled by "will power" or conscious thought (particularly when you consider that the conscious thought itself would be mediated by a mind afflicted with ADD).

In other words, with all due respect, if you have been able to make it through the premed curriculum without medication, then you, my friend, do not have ADD. People who don't have ADD might understandably chime in here and ask "how can you tell this person they don't have ADD when his/her physician diagnosed them with it? do you think you're more knowledgeable than an MD with regards to psychiatric conditions?" ... but anybody with legitimate, lifelong ADD will know EXACTLY what I am talking about and will share my frustration on the subject.

Still, I appreciate your comments very much.

I did not ever realize that ADD was really a brain chemical balance. I suppose I share the misconception that you refer to. When 5% of the children in the United States are said to have ADD/ADHD, I never think of it as a bona fide problem until now.

By the way, I haven't even started on the pre-med curriculum. I'm finishing up high school at the moment.

 

[majahops]

It's all good. You're so far ahead for high school, you'll be fine I'm sure. Haha, all I thought about was girls and beer in high school! Wait, college wasn't much different!

I did not ever realize that ADD was really a brain chemical balance. I suppose I share the misconception that you refer to. When 5% of the children in the United States are said to have ADD/ADHD, I never think of it as a bona fide problem until now.

By the way, I haven't even started on the pre-med curriculum. I'm finishing up high school at the moment.

 

[Jolie South]

Let's try to keep this out of the realm of particular medical advice. If the OP has tried all work study habit suggestions mentioned thus far, it might be a good idea to see a physician.

 

[majahops]

People gave particular medical advice?

Let's try to keep this out of the realm of particular medical advice. If the OP has tried all work study habit suggestions mentioned thus far, it might be a good idea to see a physician.

 

[Jolie South]

People gave particular medical advice?

No, it was just a friendly pre-emptive reminder. 🙂

 

[losangelesrep]

Yay lots of good posts in here 🙂
I think the main thing is that I'd like to go see professional help and actually get diagnosed. Then I can see what my options are from there.

 

[chuckanderson]

Haha man this thread is the story of my life... I don't think it's anything medical, I think I'm just lazy.

 

[ponybreeder4]

Hehe i also think its not medical, its clearly my lazyness and lack of discipline. i dont know how to fix that tho 🙁

 

[Virgil]

Hehe i also think its not medical, its clearly my lazyness and lack of discipline. i dont know how to fix that tho 🙁

Here's the dirty little secret all the gunners like to keep to themselves.

Ironically, it takes hard work and self-discipline to conquer "laziness" and a lack of discipline. Who wudda thunk it? The trick is to exert these mystical powers (hard work and self-discipline) for only so much that you form good habits that are self-perpetuating (studying, exercising, what have you). Once you install these habits, all that is needed is a basal level of self-discipline to keep yourself in check. The hard part is installing these good habits in the first place, as this requires a level of discipline you are not used to. If you realize the importance of this first step, and exert yourself accordingly and make no excuses (it usually takes at least one month of hard work), you are well on your way to becoming as productive as your pre-med buddies.

Realize how important your goal is to you, resolve to make no excuses, and understand the concept behind forming good life habits and you'll be fine.

 

[RevivedPreMed]

The key would be to take an honest look at your study habits and decide whether it's laziness or an inability to study.

I would say that its the main difference between a lazy person and a person with ADD. It's a fuzzy line sometimes which is why most people with ADD are just thought to be lazy when it comes to school.

I was always a really smart kid but I never had stellar grades. Everyone thought I was extremely lazy, etc. I realized that I had two problems: my studying was useless, and/or I would know the material but couldn't successfully complete the exams due to being distracted (I'd misread questions, skip over key words, skip around all over the exam without fully finishing questions, etc.) My advisor actually recommended for me to get tested when I was explaining all this to him while getting his signature to drop a course.

Also, a lot of people with ADD function the same way you're describing. I always did my best in panic mode (as my mom calls it). The more crap I have going on, the more time pressure and deadlines, the better I did.

I'm not saying you have ADD but if you think you might then go see a professional.

 

[majahops]

Sorry, my bad. Now I feel like a jerk. 😛

No, it was just a friendly pre-emptive reminder. 🙂