DAT Anxiety

[CyborgNinjaX]

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I'm guessing a lot of other people (including me) go through anxiety while studying for the DAT.... are there any ways to cope with the anxiety? I mean while I'm studying, I'm so worried that I have only a month to study for this exam and I go ahead and run through everything as fast as possible. HELP!

 

[skyisblue]

I'm having a hard time motivating myself to study for this test...i'm sick, it's saturday night, and there is still so much to do. I'm losing hope here guys....🙁

 

[dds_sdc]

I'm having a hard time motivating myself to study for this test...i'm sick, it's saturday night, and there is still so much to do. I'm losing hope here guys....🙁

no! dont lose hope yet! you have to keep thinking about the prize at the end.. GETTING ACCEPTED TO DENTAL SCHOOL!

 

[DDSABeach]

I'm having a hard time motivating myself to study for this test...i'm sick, it's saturday night, and there is still so much to do. I'm losing hope here guys....🙁

When are you planning on taking your test? How many hours are you putting into studying? Do you have a schedule on how your studying for the DAT? I found it helped me to make a scheudule on my studying. This way I am not feeling overwhelmed and burned out. I believe all of us can say, it's very hard to sit down and read for 5-6 hours. Actually it "Bites" then, do practice test after another.

It's hard studying alone, it's hard discipling yourself to sit and study. But, were here for you as your support system your not alone ... Remember "It will be all worth it in the end."

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

So I just lost 4 straight days of studying. This is what I have been going through for the past couple of days:

Friday: Got sick, stuck in bed, missed work.
Saturday: Worked and a still recovering a bit from the previous day.
Sunday: Worked again and had to attend a family gathering.
Today: Woke up late. Ended up going to my brother's school to get him books, then went out to eat and saw Casino Royale.

This has just snowballed out of control and I don't know if I can take it on my planned date of the 27th. Barring a complete turn around, we're probably now looking at early March (spring break)

 

[skyisblue]

Thanks for all your support guys! Hang in there Cybor. I think we can all do this. I was planning on taking it in January, but probably not now. I'm still working on Orgo1A...

 

[skyisblue]

So far I've done only 1/4 of Orgo. I'm going to switch to Gen. Chemistry now before my brain gets fried. How are you guys doing?

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

Snowballin'. I haven't studied since Thursday. I'm hoping I could crack open my book tonight... I've been playing Brain Academy on my Nintendo DS. They do have a cube counting section so that can be considered to be DAT studying... right?

 

[fancymylotus]

I think I had no motivation to study all through my Kappy class and then realized...oh ****, I have five or six weeks till go-time and I dont know half these rxns yet. And then I studied and studied and studied and didnt sleep and made myself crazy over this test and I guess it was worth it but space yourself out if at all possible..I switched around between EK Kappy Topscore Achiever Destroyer and Schaums so I wasnt staring at the same thing repeatedly and made notes everywhere..at one point I think I ran out of tape and was sticking "MEMORIZE THIS" notes on my walls with stamps(oops?).

I think its important to remember that most of the concepts on the test are not going to be as specific as you think they will...I laughed at the screen when the first question came up(no joke) and continued to do so at many of the questions I saw. I think I blew through the science in 30 minutes because of nervous energy and then realized I had 60 minutes left to go back through it,which I did. I mightve seen one,maybe two science questions that I had to stop and redo because I wasnt sure of my answer. Reading is a toss-up...I had wacko SAT type questions and lots of inference crap..QR is the same, you just either get lucky with the questions you get or not. PAT is all practice. Don't loose motivation/hope yet---the light at the end of the tunnel is VERY close. Get off your DS and STUDYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.

And if you think you've read everything there is to read, search for "amsies dat destroyer review thread" and see if you can answer all the bio and orgo questions we posted in there. Good review material.

 

[skyisblue]

Okay, my current plan is to finish Orgo1A and Orgo1B by Monday night. So far my pace is good, but I hope I can keep it up! How is everyone doing?

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

Starting back up tonight. I'm also thinking about another date beyond Jan 27th, my original intended date. Semester begins 16th, so I don't know if I have enough time to study. So I'm guessing that I'm taking it sometime in Feb. or March. I want to take it in or before spring break.

I was thinking about starting tomorrow because I had a headache (might be blood pressure) but honestly, I don't want to be a wuss.

 

[dds_sdc]

argh.. i havent studied at all.

im super exhausted coming home from my internship by 5pm.

i need some super motivation..

im actually considering taking the DAT in late May =[

is that too late? i really wanna have EVERYTHING in by early JUNE. NO LATER.

 

[skyisblue]

taking it any time before june should be just fine...we would still be ahead of a lot of people and definitely on time.....my semester starts next week and so does my job...we're all in the same boat, we can do it guys!!!!

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

I'm getting tired of this... I just want to get this over with because its really taking a toll on my sanity. Plus, I want to have this thing done before the 2008 application cycle begins.

 

[skyisblue]

Me too, I'm getting kind of nutty. I don't know how to speed things up though. I'm trying to chill while I'm studying, but making sure that I get things done nonetheless. I try to look at it as a sacrifice for a brighter future. I haven't even gone on vacation and definitely won't make it to the slopes any time soon either. 🙁

 

[skyisblue]

I feel like crying. Orgo1A is pushing my limit here....😡 I can't believe I forgot all this stuff! D*mn.

 

[Moni Ahmadian]

Yeah you need break! Besides you are in the U.S. and you have multiple chances to take DAT and I am sure you will do ok. In some places around the world you don't have any multiple chance! So relax! take a shower, watch a little bit of T.V. and good luck!!!!

I'm guessing a lot of other people (including me) go through anxiety while studying for the DAT.... are there any ways to cope with the anxiety? I mean while I'm studying, I'm so worried that I have only a month to study for this exam and I go ahead and run through everything as fast as possible. HELP!

 

[dds_sdc]

is it just me.. or is anyone else having trouble with QR?

i think im just stupid thats why. math has always been my weakness.

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

I haven't reached QR yet. I'm not really worried about that just yet because usually I do good on the Math portion of tests. I'm more worried about RC and NS. I'm pumping up some music to get me inspired - the whole day, I tried to look at the book only to have my eyes glaze over because I'm so tired. 😴

 

[sdn_addict]

i just got back from my first day of class...and i think it's gonna be harder than i thought to squeeze in studying time for DAT...what do you guys think is an adequate amount of hours to set aside per week (for 10 weeks)? 10, 15, 20?

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

i just got back from my first day of class...and i think it's gonna be harder than i thought to squeeze in studying time for DAT...what do you guys think is an adequate amount of hours to set aside per week (for 10 weeks)? 10, 15, 20?

15 - try to hit at least 3 hours per day (equaling to 5 three hr. days of studying per week). Do 3 of the days on the weekday, and 2 of the rest on the weekends. Leave the other 2 days for working on schoolwork. This is just a thought... try to tailor it to your needs.

 

[DDSABeach]

is it just me.. or is anyone else having trouble with QR?

i think im just stupid thats why. math has always been my weakness.

Your not alone on this subject. 😱

 

[sdn_addict]

15 - try to hit at least 3 hours per day (equaling to 5 three hr. days of studying per week). Do 3 of the days on the weekday, and 2 of the rest on the weekends. Leave the other 2 days for working on schoolwork. This is just a thought... try to tailor it to your needs.

thanks for your input. sounds like a good overall plan. how are your studies coming along?

 

[skyisblue]

So I'm still working on my Orgo. I'm gaining ground in terms of learning, but I'm not gaining speed. I can't believe I've done so much for Orgo, but there's still so much left. How is everyone doing?

 

[sdn_addict]

orgo seems to be endless 🙁 😱

 

[DDSABeach]

How many people here just really HATE math 😡 Spent 6 hours+ reading math and took a practice test and I am still not getting it! Scoring👎 Any suggestions ?

 

[skyisblue]

How many people here just really HATE math 😡 Spent 6 hours+ reading math and took a practice test and I am still not getting it! Scoring👎 Any suggestions ?

The practice test should tell you where you are weak at. I would just focus on that area and maybe do more practice problems.

 

[skyisblue]

I'm still working on Orgo. Yikes! I know. I just can't seem to switch to a new topic. I'm kinda obsessed with it now........I need some advice.....Should I finish half of Orgo before I switch to a new topic or switch after I've finish 1/3rd of Orgo? Seems like a trivial question, but nonetheless some thoughts on it would be nice.

 

[dds_sdc]

How many people here just really HATE math 😡 Spent 6 hours+ reading math and took a practice test and I am still not getting it! Scoring👎 Any suggestions ?

no one hates math more than me.

funny thing is.. i tutor people in math. lol (dont ask me how that ever happened)

but uhm yeah. im having trouble with QR. i cant seem to solve the problem without lookin at the answer.

once i see how they solved it, im like, "oh yeah that makes sense." but i wouldnt think of it initially. lol

sucks.

i guess it just takes practice.

what i SUCK at THE MOST is setting up my own equations for word problems. lol

i had the hardest time seeing, "3 times as many dimes as quarters" is 3q=d

lol man i feel so dumb!

 

[calvzz]

Hmm... qr on the DAT seems like SAT 2 Math to me, which wasn't bad. I'm mainly having trouble with memorizing trivial bio facts that appear on the DAT.

 

[DDSABeach]

no one hates math more than me.

funny thing is.. i tutor people in math. lol (dont ask me how that ever happened)

but uhm yeah. im having trouble with QR. i cant seem to solve the problem without lookin at the answer.

once i see how they solved it, im like, "oh yeah that makes sense." but i wouldnt think of it initially. lol

sucks.

i guess it just takes practice.

what i SUCK at THE MOST is setting up my own equations for word problems. lol

i had the hardest time seeing, "3 times as many dimes as quarters" is 3q=d

lol man i feel so dumb!

Well, we are on the same page on this subject. I start working out the problem and JUST have to LOOK! Then, I am going "Yeah, I see it now" the ligt bulb goes on! But, I just can't seem to set up the problem for myself with out looking. So, I guess LOTS and LOTS of practice on this subject.

 

[skyisblue]

Well, my winter break is up! Classes start today. I'm feeling depressed and overwhelmed. Have you guys mastered the science portion of the DAT yet? What did you guys do for those sections?

 

[DDSABeach]

Well, my winter break is up! Classes start today. I'm feeling depressed and overwhelmed. Have you guys mastered the science portion of the DAT yet? What did you guys do for those sections?

I personally am trying to master the equations of chemistry and the rxn's of Organic and my Organic II class starts next Tuesday. I been studying non-stop almost addicting to figure it all out. But, I am feeling a huge anixety attact come over me and it's getting the best of me. I do accept it's going to take time to learn this and I accept that I won't know it all ... but, I would like to have a mircle happen that I just wake up one morning and know it all! I think the store down the road is going to start nick naming me "Rockstar" cause I stock up on energy drinks!😀

I would just take one section at a time and keep testing yourself.

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

I personally am trying to master the equations of chemistry and the rxn's of Organic and my Organic II class starts next Tuesday. I been studying non-stop almost addicting to figure it all out. But, I am feeling a huge anixety attact come over me and it's getting the best of me. I do accept it's going to take time to learn this and I accept that I won't know it all ... but, I would like to have a mircle happen that I just wake up one morning and know it all! I think the store down the road is going to start nick naming me "Rockstar" cause I stock up on energy drinks!😀

I would just take one section at a time and keep testing yourself.

Heard those energy drinks are bad for you... don't they cause your body to just crash on you after a while?

Anyways, I'm changing my date to "whenever I'm ready"... most likely before March or first week of March (spring break). I'm having a hard time studying and I'm snowballing out of control. Mentally, I'm so worried, I can't even look at the book.

 

[skyisblue]

I personally am trying to master the equations of chemistry and the rxn's of Organic and my Organic II class starts next Tuesday. I been studying non-stop almost addicting to figure it all out. But, I am feeling a huge anixety attact come over me and it's getting the best of me. I do accept it's going to take time to learn this and I accept that I won't know it all ... but, I would like to have a mircle happen that I just wake up one morning and know it all! I think the store down the road is going to start nick naming me "Rockstar" cause I stock up on energy drinks!😀

I would just take one section at a time and keep testing yourself.

I'm just so slow. I have like two more topics before I'm done with Orgo1A. I can't wait until I'm done with them. I do a lot of practice problems after each section. Although that helps me master them, it takes a long time and time is something I feel like I don't have. Yet here I am wasting time at SDN, but venting to you guys seems to help me. I don't feel like I'm so alone anymore. Among other things, I have biochem and work this semester! I might drop my dance class, but that was to be for fun. 🙁 Need to stay positive don't I??

 

[dds_sdc]

i havent studied the bio/orgo/chem section of the DAT yet.. and this is only bcoz (i shouldnt jinx myself and say this), but i think i have a fairly solid foundation in bio, chem and SLIGHTLY on orgo. its just the math thats REALLY worrying me. lol idk why. i think ill study QR for one more week then im off to the sciences.

but yeah. classes start next week for me.. so that means.. LESS DAT studying.

hope you guys are holding up well.

 

[DDSABeach]

I'm just so slow. I have like two more topics before I'm done with Orgo1A. I can't wait until I'm done with them. I do a lot of practice problems after each section. Although that helps me master them, it takes a long time and time is something I feel like I don't have. Yet here I am wasting time at SDN, but venting to you guys seems to help me. I don't feel like I'm so alone anymore. Among other things, I have biochem and work this semester! I might drop my dance class, but that was to be for fun. 🙁 Need to stay positive don't I??

Stay positive, I believe these attacks of anxiety we all are having comes in waves. I believe if we didn't come on SDN and find support we all would be nuts by now I know coming on SDN and reading what everyone else is going through (feeling) makes me not feel so alone. I appreciate the support everyone gives on SDN we are here cheering each other through it and wishing the best for one another.

Dance class sound awesome might be a good stress reliever for you. I know on my breaks from studing I turn up the sounds and "Shake it off" thank GOD I live alone!

 

[DDSABeach]

Heard those energy drinks are bad for you... don't they cause your body to just crash on you after a while?

Anyways, I'm changing my date to "whenever I'm ready"... most likely before March or first week of March (spring break). I'm having a hard time studying and I'm snowballing out of control. Mentally, I'm so worried, I can't even look at the book.

I am sure the energy drinks are not the best thing. But, hard candy is not good for my teeth. I think that is a great idea to wait on the DAT until your scoring good on the pre-test. I been through and still am going through what your feeling right now ... I have books EVERYWHERE in my house I can't go nowhere with out being reminded to study. Even sticky notes on refrig. etc. It's like I procrastinate on purposes knowing I should be studying. So, now I set a time schedule so I don't freak out and burned out.

 

[mantraman1010]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I'm hoping to take the DAT on the 27th of the month to see where I stand and take it again if necessary. It helps to have taken other classes like genetics and biochemistry, because all I find myself doing is skimming through the stuff in the Kaplan blue book because I understand the concepts. But who knows if this is enough, we'll find out on the 27th... 😉 So relax dude and take it slow, even when taking it slow and reading, it may not feel like ur getting much but ull actually be remembering a lot more. We're all here for each other, see you on the flipside!

 

[DDSABeach]

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I'm hoping to take the DAT on the 27th of the month to see where I stand and take it again if necessary. It helps to have taken other classes like genetics and biochemistry, because all I find myself doing is skimming through the stuff in the Kaplan blue book because I understand the concepts. But who knows if this is enough, we'll find out on the 27th... 😉 So relax dude and take it slow, even when taking it slow and reading, it may not feel like ur getting much but ull actually be remembering a lot more. We're all here for each other, see you on the flipside!

Good Luck!

 

[litldime]

i just got my barron's book today...kinda excited to get started...i'm waiting for my kaplan book to arrive....i have time; not planning to take the dat til June... i've heard that the barron's book has some errors...have yall come across these and in what subject/ areas?

so i do the kaplan book before the barron's? i heard barron's was good for pat... true/false?
look forward to hearing from yall
thanks
-ld

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

i just got my barron's book today...kinda excited to get started...i'm waiting for my kaplan book to arrive....i have time; not planning to take the dat til June... i've heard that the barron's book has some errors...have yall come across these and in what subject/ areas?

so i do the kaplan book before the barron's? i heard barron's was good for pat... true/false?
look forward to hearing from yall
thanks
-ld

The Barron's book is very good for the PAT, but don't even think about the other things in there. Kaplan is the main source for everything DAT. The only thing that I have heard about Kaplan is that it does not cover some parts of the plant characteristics, so you probably have to get Schaum's Biology or Cliff's AP Bio.

Just a thought and I want some feedback on this: my semester begins a week from tomorrow and I want to get as much studying done as I can between now and then. I was going to my balanced studying plan (Bio, Chem, Orgo all 1 chapter a day) but the thing is that I'm a Bio. major, so I have a lot of concepts fresh in my mind (mainly the bodily functions, having taken Physiology this past semester). In the week that I have left, do you think it would be a good idea to finish Chem and Organic, seeing as how I need to brush on them really well?

 

[DDSABeach]

The Barron's book is very good for the PAT, but don't even think about the other things in there. Kaplan is the main source for everything DAT. The only thing that I have heard about Kaplan is that it does not cover some parts of the plant characteristics, so you probably have to get Schaum's Biology or Cliff's AP Bio.

Just a thought and I want some feedback on this: my semester begins a week from tomorrow and I want to get as much studying done as I can between now and then. I was going to my balanced studying plan (Bio, Chem, Orgo all 1 chapter a day) but the thing is that I'm a Bio. major, so I have a lot of concepts fresh in my mind (mainly the bodily functions, having taken Physiology this past semester). In the week that I have left, do you think it would be a good idea to finish Chem and Organic, seeing as how I need to brush on them really well?

I would focus on the stuff you are scoring low on (weak area's). I am in the same boat trying to paddle as hard as I can before school starts next week. It's a lot of weak area's for me. You have a great lead way on the bio.

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

(starts to freak out) I having taken any tests yet....

 

[DDSABeach]

(starts to freak out) I having taken any tests yet....

I really think your going to do fine. Go with the G.Chem and O.Chem those take more attention in thinking. Bio is mostly memorizing and learning connecting the dots. I am working on Math, G.Chem and O.Chem those are the hardest for me right now. If I want a break I test myself on PAT and RC. But, I do read my Bio notes before bed. Hope this helps.

 

[skyisblue]

(starts to freak out) I having taken any tests yet....

I feel you Cybor. I've been feeling the same way. The anxiety does come in waves so when you're feeling good, make sure you take advantage of it and study hard. I'm working on Orgo and GChem first too.

 

[skyisblue]

ORGO, it's definitely a love hate relationship...

 

[CyborgNinjaX]

ORGO, it's definitely a love hate relationship...

I have to agree... I mean sometimes I really feel like reading Orgo to the point where there is nothing left to learn but other times I am just like Orgo is the worst thing in the world.

I'm going through the easy sections of Chem right now. I tried doing Aromatics and Alcohols/Ethers. I really have to say I am going to be reviewing a whole lot for Orgo. Looks like ordering DAT Destroyer is in my future.

 

[skyisblue]

I have to agree... I mean sometimes I really feel like reading Orgo to the point where there is nothing left to learn but other times I am just like Orgo is the worst thing in the world.

I'm going through the easy sections of Chem right now. I tried doing Aromatics and Alcohols/Ethers. I really have to say I am going to be reviewing a whole lot for Orgo. Looks like ordering DAT Destroyer is in my future.

Have you gone over stereochemistry yet? I know what you mean. I've forgotten so much! Anyhow, it's bedtime for me now.

 

[DDSABeach]

I have to agree... I mean sometimes I really feel like reading Orgo to the point where there is nothing left to learn but other times I am just like Orgo is the worst thing in the world.

I'm going through the easy sections of Chem right now. I tried doing Aromatics and Alcohols/Ethers. I really have to say I am going to be reviewing a whole lot for Orgo. Looks like ordering DAT Destroyer is in my future.

I been really down the last couple of days. I only been working on O.Chem for the last three days. I am do that with all my subject. Well I took a pre-test to see if I learned anything? Well my score went down ! OMG! 4 points. Seems the more I studied the more I lost info. I have the destroyer but, it doesn't do me any good if I don't have a good foundation of the material in order to use it. So, depressed 🙁

 

[skyisblue]

I been really down the last couple of days. I only been working on O.Chem for the last three days. I am do that with all my subject. Well I took a pre-test to see if I learned anything? Well my score went down ! OMG! 4 points. Seems the more I studied the more I lost info. I have the destroyer but, it doesn't do me any good if I don't have a good foundation of the material in order to use it. So, depressed 🙁

I agree. Destroyer seems to be only useful once you have a strong foundation. I just got home, and I'm going to hit Orgo again. I have one more section left before I'm done with Orgo1A. I'm so behind, but I have learned a lot. When I sleep I think of alkenes, alkynes, etc. lol....