feeling burned out already...can't concentrate...help!!!

[shreypete]

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When I started med school, I started with an burst of enthusiasm and studied for almost 7-8 hrs. a day. Now after the 1st semester, I just can't seem to sit my a** down and study for even a decent 2 or 3 hours. I don't know why my concentration span has reduced so much. Every day, I tell myself that I will do this much (and also make a schedule) but can never keep up with it. I feel like I need a long vaccation.

I really can't stand the fact that I'm not able to concentrate.....because I used to be able to do so really well. My grades have slowly started going down (from the being in the top 5% to marginal category). I don't know why this is happening. I always feel the need for surfing on the internet and reading all sorts of random medical articles (regarding specialties, residency programs n stuff) and I don't think this is good coz planning too early may spoil the whole deal in the first place.

Is this perhaps due to the fact that I entered med school right after high school? (which might explain my low concentration span? although I was quite focussed throughout the 1st semester....) Please give me some advice regarding this matter guys...appreciate it.

 

[TRKATK]

I think all students get like this at some point. I recommend just taking a day off and enjoying it. Then slowly get back into the groove of things. You could have some external motivation i.e. I don't want to repeat this class again 😡 and force yourself to continue. All the best ! 🙂

 

[JC Denton]

You're not alone. I, too, feel burned out like hell, and it's only been five weeks. 😴
That's why I decided to give myself a break this past weekend, working out for the first time since school started and surfing the net (more than usual that is!).
It's 5am right now, I've only gone over two pages of anatomy between my lapses of spacing out, and I still feel like slacking off, even though there's a test this friday.
It makes me wonder how I'd be doing if I hadn't taken that break at all. I did my best to forget med school so much that it's really difficult for me to get back into the groove now....
I guess I'll get my *** into gear later today, after I find out my classmates are a week ahead of me in studies...... first, I need to get the hell off the computer 🙁

Best of luck finding your motivation. If all else fails, I'm sure at least fear (of failing) will keep you in line as the semester continues...

 

[Slide]

You're not alone. I think most people are along the same feeling as you. When I read the threads about the study habits of various med students, it seems that attention spans go down as the years go on. I myself can only study for 3-4 hours before taking a 1-2 hour break, even if I take 10 min breaks in between.

 

[coffeebythelake]

Agree with the previous posters. It gets harder to concentrate at the end of school year.

 

[J1515]

<------ waiting for someone to diagnose the OP with ADHD and recommend he gets meds

 

[shreypete]

wow it really helps to know that there are other guys out there who are having similar attention span problems...for the past 2 weeks i've been blaming myself for being a very bad medical student.....now i'm really gonna try my best to study harder.

how many breaks do you guys normally take when you study for 3-4 hrs. or 5-6 hrs.? Because I think it would be almost impossible for me to keep on going for 3 hrs. straight..or for that matter even 2 hrs. straight...my mind generally waivers after every 30 min. (unless what i'm reading is really interesting). I just wanna finish pre-clinical years and move on!!!!!!! my respect goes out to all who completed what i'm going through and must have suffered in the same way I am.

 

[TRKATK]

I study 1hr and break 10 min rinse and repeat.