Freshman premed going crazy!

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thehappydoctor

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Hey guys

I need some reassurance so I am just a freshman in undergrad right now taking only 2 premed classes (bio and chem) but im overly anxious and paranoid about these exams ( i study all the time, freak out if i ever miss a detail or question- this is before the exam) once i get the exam, i start to sweat and my hands start to shake..after the test im very very very afraid to check my score...so far i have only had 1 exam in each subject i did well on those exams but i cant handle taking more bio/chem exams because my anxiety goes crazy...is this normal being a premed?
 
Definitely doesn't seem that normal, but here on SDN it might be. 😛
 
thehappydoctor said:
Hey guys

I need some reassurance so I am just a freshman in undergrad right now taking only 2 premed classes (bio and chem) but im overly anxious and paranoid about these exams ( i study all the time, freak out if i ever miss a detail or question- this is before the exam) once i get the exam, i start to sweat and my hands start to shake..after the test im very very very afraid to check my score...so far i have only had 1 exam in each subject i did well on those exams but i cant handle taking more bio/chem exams because my anxiety goes crazy...is this normal being a premed?
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Classic case of test anxiety. You'll be ok after you start taking more exams, just relax. It's college, have a drink after the exam. Get involved, go to a party, relaxxxxx : )
 
Normal? No. But some people have test anxiety. Plus, as a freshman, you probably are not used to college.

Learn to relax or you won't make it through undergrad and apply to medical school. Lots of people burn themselves out because the can't handle the stress.
 
No. Seek counseling at student support services or whatever there is at your school. You've got some pretty bad test anxiety.

I mean, a little stress is normal, but the fact that you say you "can't handle taking more" exams is an indication that you need a little help.

Best of luck.
 
My first physics exam made me have a panic attack. While reading the problem, I just was so anxious that I couldn't even figure out what they were asking. What I did was a relaxation technique of deep breathing for 1-2 minutes. Then continue the exam, but I did not go back to the same problem. With this other problem I was able to figure it out and solve it. This helped me build confidence and continue solving the other problems until I went back to the first one and solve that one too. I ended up doing well on the test. Moral of the story is that you need to developed a way of coping with the anxiety, this is and individual thing that you need to figure out yourself. Go to health services at your school, there should be able to help you. Good luck.
 
I'm so glad I didn't decide to be a doctor until after all of my prereqs were done. If I was as anxious about tests back then as I am now in my final year, I don't think I would have survived.
 
Thanks guy for your advice and relaxation tips! you're all right, i do need to calm down a little bit 🙂
 
Don't try and contextualize any singular undergrad test as being the deciding factor on your admission to medical school. The only test that could ever be treated like that is the MCAT, and even then, the test is only a fraction of your application. Just relax, have a good time, and be confident in your intelligence and preparations.
 
Welcome to college and premed. As you progress you'll find systems to help you cope however every teacher has a different exam format style. Relax and study, take a deep breath before every exam, and realize the result isn't always gonna be an A.
 
I've learned to cry a little bit and drink some alcohol after tests, seems to help.
 
Chill out. Looking back fondly at how easy I had it in undergrad is how I get through rough patches.
 
You just have to relax. If you fixate too much, it may end up being too negative.
 
I took two premed classes my first year. You just need to find a hobby that relaxes and takes your mind off your classes. You don't want to burn out your brakes.
 
One major thing that can get in your way of getting good grades is burn out. If you're constantly striving for perfection, you'll eventually burn out and it will feel impossible to move on.

What I do to avoid this is set a "chill day" for fun. Mine is on Saturday, but yours can be on any day that fits your schedule. Just have fun and relax the whole day, be it going out with friends to watch a movie (I recommend Looper right now) or hitting a club in the evening and getting wasted.

Of course you won't be watching a movie the whole day or drinking at noon, so set this day as your "EC day too", whether it's volunteering or tutoring or whatever. That way, this day is both fun AND productive to your long term admission to medical school.

If you have these semi-occasional chill days, you make sure your mind has the time to recuperate and recharge, ready for the next. You will also feel a lot more confident.

You know how on the first day of school, you feel so motivated to do all your work, but by the time you reach the second week, you're already tired of school? You want that motivated feeling THROUGHOUT the semester and having these relaxing days once a week will help you stay in this motivated mode.
 
Aerus said:
One major thing that can get in your way of getting good grades is burn out. If you're constantly striving for perfection, you'll eventually burn out and it will feel impossible to move on.

What I do to avoid this is set a "chill day" for fun. Mine is on Saturday, but yours can be on any day that fits your schedule. Just have fun and relax the whole day, be it going out with friends to watch a movie (I recommend Looper right now) or hitting a club in the evening and getting wasted.

If you have these semi-occasional chill days, you make sure your mind has the time to recuperate and recharge, ready for the next. You will also feel a lot more confident.

You know how on the first day of school, you feel so motivated to do all your work, but by the time you reach the second week, you're already tired of school? You want that motivated feeling THROUGHOUT the semester and having these relaxing days once a week will help you stay in this motivated mode.
Click to expand...

:laugh: Nice advice from a high schooler.
 
Venom5 said:
Yeah... House parties are a better choice before 21.
Click to expand...

Eh, my post was meant to be applied throughout your UG (maybe not as much when you're preparing for MCATs), so OP will be 21 eventually.
 
Lollygag said:
I'm not trying to beat on Aerus, but I find it cute when people have MDapps when their 18 years old linked to their SDN account even though their not applying for like 3-4 years. 😛 That's true dedication right there.
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😎
 
It's college. Either you know it or you don't. You're lucky. I can't take my pr-med classes, untill next year.
 
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