How do you get yourself out of a rut

[enfuego]

What do you do when you have a hard time getting yourself to study?

Last semester wasn't my best because I was burnt out. I went home for break and really just slept and didn't do much. Now I've been back in school for a month and I'm getting my first big wave of tests next week, and I'm having such a hard time getting back into the groove of studying. I feel like I'm just going through the motions of studying without actually absorbing much or really applying myself as much as I did last year. I've been easily distracted and I've been lazier than usual in a lot of areas, not just school work.

But I'm taking a heavier courseload now, and I need to make up for last semester and keep my GPA in the 3.5-3.6 range. I also need to be a lot more pro-active so I can get some good LORs before I apply for the 2011 cycle.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ever had a down period - anyone have any suggestions on how to get the motivation back?

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[shoombol tallah]

Go look in the mirror and say "Would you like fries with that?". works everytime.

 

[doc3232]

What do you do when you have a hard time getting yourself to study?

Last semester wasn't my best because I was burnt out. I went home for break and really just slept and didn't do much. Now I've been back in school for a month and I'm getting my first big wave of tests next week, and I'm having such a hard time getting back into the groove of studying. I feel like I'm just going through the motions of studying without actually absorbing much or really applying myself as much as I did last year. I've been easily distracted and I've been lazier than usual in a lot of areas, not just school work.

But I'm taking a heavier courseload now, and I need to make up for last semester and keep my GPA in the 3.5-3.6 range. I also need to be a lot more pro-active so I can get some good LORs before I apply for the 2011 cycle.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ever had a down period - anyone have any suggestions on how to get the motivation back?

Honestly, just let whatever happen, happen. If you don't want to study for a 4.0 then you don't need it. When you do need it or realize you need it then you will get it.

 

[frenchriviera24]

We all have down periods and you shouldn't feel guilty for it. More than not, it's best to make planned down-time every week rather than letting it run its course during the semester. Just make sure you maintain that gpa w/o taking it too easy.

 

[Blarelli]

I'm always burned out. Seeing a test or a quiz score that I don't want to see is usually enough to kick myself back into gear.

 

[DrReo]

You're stressing out too much. Relax!

Exercise.

 

[PandaXpress]

1. Dude just go distract yourself with something that you wanna do and then after that go study
2. If not that then do it RIGHT WHEN YOU WAKE UP...for some reason its easier to concentrate because you only did one thing that day
3. OR just drink a little and that always helps me relax...then go do what you gotta do (take a shot of patron or two)?

 

[DentGuy]

Just keep in mind how much you are going to hate yourself when you're applying to dental schools with a low GPA because your younger self was lazy. It's crazy to think about, but it works for me. GPA trends are rising each year, I'd get on the ball if I were you.

 

[peterngu]

Just keep in mind how much you are going to hate yourself when you're applying to dental schools with a low GPA because your younger self was lazy. It's crazy to think about, but it works for me. GPA trends are rising each year, I'd get on the ball if I were you.

That may be true, but the problems that I create today for future-me, future-me will deal with it. "$300k in loans? Let future-me handle it. It ain't my problem."

 

[xhamburgersamx]

Not only will you end up with crappy grades, you will have to settle on going to a private school that costs over 300k to attend.

Think of it this way. Being lazy now is going to cost you MONEY

 

[enfuego]

Thanks for all the advice.

I think the exercise recommendation is probably what I need the most. I feel so sluggish, so working out should hopefully help with that.

xhamburgersamx, I wouldn't mind going to ANY dental school. Luckily my in-state school only accepts in-state residents, and relatively few people apply there, so hopefully that school will always be a realistic option.

 

[DentGuy]

Investing in your education is NEVER a bad idea. Future-me will thank me one day, lol, even with 300k debt. oh and I was going to do HPSP anywhere I went, so no biggie on private or public costs 🙄.

 

[btk2333]

Have a beer or two
Go for a run
Watch a movie
Hang out with friends
Talk to wife
Listen to some music

Some combination of those tend to get me ready to go again

 

[Chesnok]

Thanks for all the advice.

I think the exercise recommendation is probably what I need the most. I feel so sluggish, so working out should hopefully help with that.

xhamburgersamx, I wouldn't mind going to ANY dental school. Luckily my in-state school only accepts in-state residents, and relatively few people apply there, so hopefully that school will always be a realistic option.

Don't think that it's easy to get into your in-state school. You say few people apply there BUT there will always be GREATER # of applicants than seats at a d-school, AND the best will be chosen and the rest is over the board. So, don't think about slacking and then getting easily to d-school. If you do so , you may realize that at the end. IMO thou. Strive for the best. It's all about competition with GPA trends go up.
Your GPA is good, keep it that way if you cannot raise b/c raising is much harder than just keeping.
I did not get why you were burnt out while doing nothing. I heard people burn out b/c of overstudying. So, just get up and go to books, AND relax after the tests/exam realizing that you did great on them and it was not worthless to study beforehand.

 

[enfuego]

Don't think that it's easy to get into your in-state school. You say few people apply there BUT there will always be GREATER # of applicants than seats at a d-school, AND the best will be chosen and the rest is over the board. So, don't think about slacking and then getting easily to d-school. If you do so , you may realize that at the end. IMO thou. Strive for the best. It's all about competition with GPA trends go up.
Your GPA is good, keep it that way if you cannot raise b/c raising is much harder than just keeping.

I know. If I wanted to slack, I wouldn't have started this topic asking for help.

I did not get why you were burnt out while doing nothing. I heard people burn out b/c of overstudying. So, just get up and go to books, AND relax after the tests/exam realizing that you did great on them and it was not worthless to study beforehand.

I was burnt out from last semester. I worked a lot continuously through last summer and other previous breaks. I hadn't had time off in a long time until this past winter break. I relaxed during the break. Now I've been back in school for a month, and I'm having a little difficulty getting back in the studying mode.

That's all. I'm sure I'm not the only person who's ever had a little slump. I'm not a slacker or lazy. I'm usually NOT like this, which is why I'm concerned and asking about it.

 

[202781]

That may be true, but the problems that I create today for future-me, future-me will deal with it. "$300k in loans? Let future-me handle it. It ain't my problem."

Your future-me sounds just about as awesome as my future-me


My future-me can pay back $300k in loans in 3 years while getting a superhot wife and playing golf every Friday.

I seriously always take time to thank future-me for dealing with my problems and I also take time to blame past-me for creating them.

 

[Black Teeth]

My future-me can pay back $300k in loans in 3 years while getting a superhot wife and playing golf every Friday.

You better hope Obama doesn't introduce Universal Healthcare like he promises to do by the end of his first term as president or you can kiss goodbye that dream of paying back $300K in loans in 3 years. Hehehe...doctors are gonna get screwed big time!!!

 

[eldirty]

You're stressing out too much. Relax!
Exercise.

Yes ...

Just keep in mind how much you are going to hate yourself when you're applying to dental schools with a low GPA because your younger self was lazy. It's crazy to think about, but it works for me. GPA trends are rising each year, I'd get on the ball if I were you.

and Yes ...

I study a lot because on test day it feels great to know all of the answers ... its rewarding enough in itself

undergrad is all about all nighters and cram city ... it works

 

[btk2333]

You better hope Obama doesn't introduce Universal Healthcare like he promises to do by the end of his first term as president or you can kiss goodbye that dream of paying back $300K in loans in 3 years. Hehehe...doctors are gonna get screwed big time!!!

there is so much wrong with that statement....

 

[eldirty]

You better hope Obama doesn't introduce Universal Healthcare like he promises to do by the end of his first term as president or you can kiss goodbye that dream of paying back $300K in loans in 3 years. Hehehe...doctors are gonna get screwed big time!!!

I was going to add my thoughts but i think ill stay out of this one