How did you guys manage your "emotional ups/downs" while studying?

[HotLikeSauce]

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I know this sounds like a dorky question, but I know it's something that all of us surely must grapple with (minus the super geniuses who start out getting 90% on World haha).

I'm about 2 weeks out, and I'm finding it so hard at times to put the nagging anxiety/fear, worries about "what if my test is filled with [random topics] questions," am I good enough, am I working hard enough, what if my practice tests just overpredict me, blah blah.

What are good ways that you guys have found of coping with the freaking roller coaster of emotions that comes along with studying for this beast? I feel like being in a good mental zone for the test is half the battle...!

 

[Celestine]

In general, I'm a pretty high-strung, easily overwhelmed person, even when I am well prepared. When I get particularly freaked out, I do one of the following: 1) have a good cry, 2) talk to my boyfriend and friends who are also studying for Step 1 and have a good bitch session, 3) chill out and watch some TV, or 4) switch over from one study resource to another (i.e. Goljan to FA or UWorld)

I find that a combination of those might "waste" an hour or so, but I end up being more productive and feeling less like I'm drowning in an endless sea of inane medical trivia... 🙄

 

[jfgavina]

You have friends that are doing this and share difficulties with you, you can always motivate each other. I am stuDYING for this in an anti social and freak way, while my colleagues are going to the beach and studying little for the useless examinations we have here. If it helps, think that you're not alone and everyone must pass through this. They also test us in a psychological basis, to separate winners from losers. So, don't be a loser and cheer up.

 

[tco]

About a year ago, I asked my gf to go visit her family for a month while I prepped for this. A week ago, she left. Tomorrow will be T-15 days until my exam. I just bought a round trip ticket for her to come back.

I guess what I'm saying is that you can't alienate yourself from civilization or you'll want to go suicidal. Make sure you spend some time doing something for YOU and you'll be better off for it. That random 15-20% drop in Uworld won't be so hard to take if you've got someone to talk to about it, rather than wallowing in your sorrow, thinking about going and taking a long walk off of a short dock...