How Do You Get Yourself To Study (or do other unfavorable things)?

[Virgil]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Dear all:

I cannot force myself to study. Due to my weak self-control, whenever I have to do something with any resistance (anything I don't enjoy whether it is studying or washing the dishes or exercising), I escape and take the path of least resistance. Despite the pressure of taking OCHEM in the summer (for the second time around), I have a test on Monday and I haven't started studying yet. Whenever I think about having to study, I try to escape by watching movies or playing games--anything to take my mind off of it. When the pressure is high enough (the night before the exam or even the morning before the exam sometimes), I will feel overcome and will begin to study. I feel like a slave to my desires. Does anyone have any advice for getting myself to study days in advance of a test even though I feel the pressure is low and I'd rather be doing something else?

Thanks much.

 

[Virgil]

Oh, and in the past I've been told that maybe medicine isn't where my passion lies so that is why I've been having difficulties studying. Even though it was my passion since I was a child, I considered that there might be truth in that theory. So I stopped being premed for a while and began studying the only other thing that I absolutely loved--religion. When the going got tough--just like when it did with the medicine path--I became lethargic and dispassioned.

In fact, I have given up on many dreams because of my desire for instant gratification and unwillingness to endure any strain, effort or resistance to achieve them. The only thing that I am really "passionate" about is playing videogames, sleeping and watching movies. I was a super-premed when I was a freshman--I would even go to class in slacks and button-up shirts and was extremely arrogant, but when studying the night before didn't cut it anymore I almost gave up on my dream.

I desperately need your guys' help.

 

[jochi1543]

I note what my main distraction is and get myself away from it. Usually, the distraction is internet and the solution is an isolated study area on campus where the nearest computer is a mile away.

 

[sendwich]

i can't study at home, so i usually force myself to stay at the library for X amount of hours. if that's successful, i give myself a small reward, like watching an episode of grey's anatomy or a donut somewhere. i think the key thing is to know what your passion is. what makes you tick? and just go after it.

 

[brains]

I have reached that point in my life too. I am still very interested, but I just can't force my self to pick up another book. I am taking a break for now ( 2 semesters) so that I can work more hours without ruining my GPA ( plus I am expecting a baby in September) and also my dad is very sick ( both legs just amputated 👎). I think if you're getting burnt out on the whole pre-med situation, you might need to take a break as well.
That's totally up to you to decide if that's what the problem is, however. If you're getting bored with the whole thing, you might want to balance it out by taking other subjects along with your pre-reqs. You know, other things beside hard core science classes. That may help you out some. What ever you decide to do, good luck.

 

[Meatwad]

I realize that if I study a lot, I will absorb and understand the material, which will allow me to pass it on to fellow students that are struggling. Chicks can tell when you've got the knowledge, and they all flock to you for help.

























Then they thank you and leave.🙁

 

[Meatwad]

Has anyone else tried Adderol? I've never tried it before, but I have several friends that swear by it. Is it worth looking into a perscription?

Taking drugs just to study? Come on, that's weak. I don't even drink caffeinated soda.

 

[ssquared]

Has anyone else tried Adderol? I've never tried it before, but I have several friends that swear by it. Is it worth looking into a perscription?

Only if you have genuine ADD or ADHD or whatever it may be. Otherwise you're doing yourself a disservice because your trusting to medication what really should be up to your own willpower.

I do understand the lack of motivation (oh my, senioritis hit me bad this year), but sometimes you just have to buck up and do what you need to do. Reward yourself if you must. I promised myself I would buy whatever CDs or DVDs I wanted for every A this semester, and now I've got nice additions to my iTunes and decent grades. Think deep down about what motivates you and cling to that. A lot of it is focusing on the future; I spent most of the year thinking, "If I get less than an A on this, I will be disappointed with myself at the end of the semester AND when I'm filling out my grades for AMCAS." Having AMCAS hanging over your head is a good motivational tool, for sure.

 

[Virgil]

It seems like there's people who were raised to be type-A, always working hard to get what they want. I've never been like that. Has anyone ever transformed themselves from being a lazy, procrastinating loser with no self-control to a strong-willed, straight-A student? If so, what the hell did you do?

 

[meowkat444]

i worked two years as a teacher and realized how much i missed school and learning. sometimes you have to figure out what you *don't* want to do to motivate you. I work my @ss off in my postbacc, way more than i did in undergrad.

 

[gmoneytalks]

I was born a slacker but my dad formed me into the type-A guy I am today in the classroom. Plus, I take failing (of any kind) on a ridiculously stupid personal level.

 

[Climberak]

Virgil your problem sounds similar to mine,

I used to have a lack of motivation, but these things have helped me a ton:

1. Get a daily planner, some run as little as a couple bucks. Fill it out everyday and write down everything you want to do/needs to get done and WHAT TIME you will do it. For example, a day might look like this: 8-10 a.m.-School, 10-1 p.m. hang out with friends, 1-2:30 p.m. study, 2:30-evening halo/t.v. etc. THIS WILL HELP!

2. Anytime you do something you didn't want to do (be it studying or working out) reward yourself with either a favorite snack, movie, etc. Go slow at first or you'll burn yourself out.

3. Make sure you dont get too little or too much sleep. The first is obvious, but the second one can make you just as lethargic. If you don't already, sleep to 7-9 hours and always use an alarm clock.

4. Sometimes you just got to remember to suck it up, that will be your main motivational factor when the going gets tough. Hard work doesn't have any shortcuts, sorry to say.

Consuetudinis magna vis est -Great is the force of habit

 

[AppTrail]

Has anyone else tried Adderol? I've never tried it before, but I have several friends that swear by it. Is it worth looking into a perscription?

adderol is horrible because for one, you get used to it, and you could become addicted. secondly, it messes with your emotions, like you'll get a good high from taking it, but then you'll crash and it's hard to fall asleep even though it has wore off (usually takes 6-7 hours). third- you can't eat, it suppresses your appetite, and you grind your teeth. 4- most people i know who have a prescript have weird mood swings and are emotionally unstable.

but talk to your doctor about it if you really can't concentrate and maybe there's another medication or maybe he can combine it with something else. also, some people just use it once like the night before a test to cram, but again it messes with your emotions...

 

[searun]

Working hard may be "unpleasant", depending on your perspective, but it never is "unfavorable", since the results are invariably positive. A great work ethic is always favorable. If you lack a work ethic, rethink medicine as a career.

 

[searun]

Your problem, or more accurately the symptom of your problem, is that you are a gamer. I graduated from college 2 years ago, and got into 6 med schools this cycle, including a top ten school, just to give you a frame of reference. The smartest guy I knew my freshman year class was brilliant, a science whiz kid, but he also was a gamer, he got deeper and deeper into that stuff, played all the time, night and day....he was smart enough to do pretty well in academics without making much of an effort...he played those games for 4 years and then graduated with a pretty good (but not great) acadmic record inspite of a total lack of attention to his classes because he was so smart. He applied to med school and did not get an acceptance this year. And now he is thinking WTF. Those games will take you down. Something to think about. But I guess the real question that you should ask yourself is "why am I playing these games all the time? What is it about reality that I cannot handle?"

 

[Auron]

Nothing peculiar, you're procrastinating. I'd advise you to stop asap as it'll ruin you.

 

[Sir Buckethead]

I was very much like you, and slid by for many years but then finally in my freshman year of college I flunked out of school and realized where my priorities needed to be. Some people need a pep talk, some people need a system, and some (like me) just need a good old-fashioned ass kicking to clear our heads.

 

[whoisthedrizzle]

OP: Fear of failure is what gets me to study my ass off. I'm not talking about getting an F, but getting a C in OCHEM for example, cuz I didn't put in that extra effort. Thats the kinda **** that keeps you out of med school (i.e. failure). Think about what its gonna feel like when you're sitting in that lecture hall Monday confused as **** cuz you didn't study. Thats the kind of **** that keeps me going.

Ahhh you're religious... you might just be weak willed then. Can't help you there...

 

[Davjc2009]

OP: Fear of failure is what gets me to study my ass off. I'm not talking about getting an F, but getting a C in OCHEM for example, cuz I didn't put in that extra effort. Thats the kinda **** that keeps you out of med school (i.e. failure). Think about what its gonna feel like when you're sitting in that lecture hall Monday confused as **** cuz you didn't study. Thats the kind of **** that keeps me going.

Ahhh you're religious... you might just be weak willed then. Can't help you there...

I agree with you on the bolded portion. As far as you're claim that being religious is being weak-willed, 👎, uncalled for.

 

[smeagol]

OP: Fear of failure is what gets me to study my ass off. I'm not talking about getting an F, but getting a C in OCHEM...

Ahhh you're religious... you might just be weak willed then. Can't help you there...

I hope an iron will like yours would give me more than C in organic chem 😛

 

[patrickd223]

I used to be a gamer but have since reformed. It is really a matter of growing up and knowing what is best for you. Consider getting a white board with a marker to easily put up a list of things you need to accomplish. If you see it hanging on your wall all of the time, you will be forced to quit slacking.

 

[bambielee]

There are a lot of students who are like this...you're not alone! I was a very bad procrastinator as well, and I would say "Oh, I'll just do ____ for a few more minutes and then I'll study.." and I wouldn't. Honestly, the SDN boards really helped me. I'm pretty competitive by nature, so when I read about students with good GPA's I feel like I have to get good grades too! It's really weird, but it's a good place to go for motivation or to get a break from studying.

Also, I recommend "training" for a test, almost like you would for a race. I try to prepare at least a week in advance by writing down EXACTLY what I have to study. A lot of times, I notice that I wouldn't study because deep down inside I really didn't know where to start. In order to keep yourself informed of exactly what you need to study, write all of the major concepts down on paper, and go one by one and check them off when you do them. Everyday try to concentrate on one or two topics (or more, depending on the amount of chapters covered) until you get to the last day where you should try to take an exam from the year before (if you can). Try to take the attitude of "Ok, lets see if you can stump me".

And I recommend a planner as well. For some reason, when you write out what you have to do at what time, you're more likely to follow it. Also, try to study at a library, so you don't have those distractions. Literally force yourself to go to the library everyday the week before your test. It WILL help you concentrate without any distractions.

Honestly, don't settle or say to yourself "Oh, I can just get a C" because most medical schools aren't looking for average students. They're looking for the ones who are able to handle pressure and lots of concepts and are willing to put the effort in to study. Consistently low grades are a sign to them that you are not taking this seriously and you don't have the drive to do this, which is probably not true. Hope this helps.

 

[LexiLuthor]

Getting away from distractions is best for me. Usually I go to part of a library that is quiet, away from the internet, etc. And then commit to being in that seat for a set amount of time, usually 2 to four hours, with short stretch breaks. I also bring some healthy snacks, water, and maybe a coffee.

Knowing that each small step along the way is important to the end goal (getting into school, doing well in med school, etc.) is what motivated me overall. You have to want it enough to suck it up and do the work.

As a nontrad taking class and studying while also working a full-time job and volunteering, I had no time to procrastinate if I still wanted to have a life! That was a major factor in becoming a more efficient studier- in the past few years I have really learned what study methods work best for me (i.e. outlining a chapter as I read it as opposed to just reading, I tend not to retain as much if I just read, then going over the notes, making flash cards for when I was riding the subway to work or on a cardio machine at the gym, explaining a concept out loud to myself).

Starting things ahead and planning out your time is important as well. If you have a paper due, start it 2 weeks out and work on it for a small amount of time each day, and then give yourself a day for revision. Or, if you have a test, start reviewing a week out and then you have lots of time to go over the concepts you feel weak on.

Also, giving yourself no excuses is simple, obvious, and underrated. Telling yourself that you can't go out/watch TV/fart around in the internet until you finish the lab report, understand X concept, and feel confident for Y test is just something you have to do. Most people can't cram the night before and really learn and retain things.

 

[prmdbeach17]

I agree with everyone else, I have the same problem sometimes. Get away from what's distracting you, whatever that means..I turn my computer off, go somewhere with no tv...Then leave time after studying for a reward, like someone said a snack or an episode of Grey's. Also make sure to take breaks during studying!! It will keep you motivated and allow you to digest the material easier.

One of my worries about becoming a doctor is that I also just love to sleep, and that I'll sleep through a page or something while someone's dying😱 I also think a fear of failure on exams, etc is what keeps me motivated. As for the organic chem, I feel your pain. Here I am procrastinating while I also should be studying....

 

[Fuji Syuusuke]

Your problem, or more accurately the symptom of your problem, is that you are a gamer

This is a lesson that all gamers, myself included, could afford to learn. Games are just a waste of time and do not help you accomplish anything. "Well what if I get sponsored and I get to play games for the rest of my life?" I've heard that one. More probable to become a successful doctor or any fulfilling career than to become a low-paid professional gamer.

About the motivation aspect-- Personally I agree with those posts referring to the removal of distractions. If there is nothing there to distract you, then you should be fine. Where you are asking about adderall, you really should only take it if you have been tested and confirmed with ADD or ADHD. Otherwise you should have not too much difficulty concentrating when all of your distractions have been removed. Be sure you have no loud music, no tv, no movies, no text messaging, none of that. And just sit down and get it done. You will thank yourself later when your professor hands you back your exam with your A posted on top.

 

[doinmybest5840]

I've had issues with self control as well. If I have multiple things to do, such as reading or studying for 2-4 classes at once, I'll figure out what I need to get done and by when, and then I spread it out. For example, if I have to read 10 sections of a chapter for class A, 6 sections for class B, and then 3 articles for class C, I'll spread it out so it's like A-B-A-C-A... etc. So that I don't have to read more than 20-30 minutes for any class. I find it easier to keep my focus. If I only have one thing to do I'll work on it for a longer period of time and then take breaks, such as 50 minutes working, 10 minute break.

I also find it helpful to make lists. I'll list everything I need to do and when it's due, and then arrange them by importance and the order in which I need to do them. That way I don't forget anything, and everything should be finished on time.

If separating yourself from movies and games is the issue, then get out of your house. Go to the library, or a cafe, or anywhere that you can't do what you want to do. And only take your work with you. But consider all options. If you are distracted when people talk, avoid coffee shops or areas of the library where group work is done. If you are easily distracted by wanting to peoplewatch (a personal problem of mine lol), go somewhere that's not near people, or where you're facing away from people.

Good luck!

 

[Dave_D]

This is a lesson that all gamers, myself included, could afford to learn. Games are just a waste of time and do not help you accomplish anything. "Well what if I get sponsored and I get to play games for the rest of my life?" I've heard that one. More probable to become a successful doctor or any fulfilling career than to become a low-paid professional gamer.

Hey, I'm not gaming. I'm just getting the skills to be a surgeon😀
http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?article_id=218392901&cat=1_5

 

[foreverLaur]

Has anyone else tried Adderol? I've never tried it before, but I have several friends that swear by it. Is it worth looking into a perscription?

A coworker got that after faking ADD for studying purposes. She couldn't get a lot of jobs after that because she "had adult ADD." Whoops.

 

[Fuji Syuusuke]

Hey, I'm not gaming. I'm just getting the skills to be a surgeon😀
http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?article_id=218392901&cat=1_5

Interesting point of view. Perhaps I have found my route as well now, lol.

 

[punkdoc69]

-

 

[chemphd]

I bribed myself through orgo and physics with Harry Potter- I'd read a chapter of orgo, then one of harry potter. I'd read some physics and do my problem set, and read some harry potter. (It probably helped that I had about 5 books to go through at the time)

 

[foreverLaur]

I bribed myself through orgo and physics with Harry Potter- I'd read a chapter of orgo, then one of harry potter. I'd read some physics and do my problem set, and read some harry potter. (It probably helped that I had about 5 books to go through at the time)

👍 Harry Potter

This is going to be a great summer.

Although I think they will ruin the 5th movie as it was my favorite book. They took a lot out of the 4th movie to make it a reasonable length and the 5th book was longer and more involved. I can't imagine what all they are going to chop out... 🙁

 

[apnea]

i remind myself that for every hour i don't study, god kills a kitten.

 

[foreverLaur]

i remind myself that for every hour i don't study, god kills a kitten.

my hand got eaten by a cat tonight.

 

[sgglaze]

Then they[chicks] thank you and leave.🙁

Damn, that's exactly what they do.

 

[apnea]

my hand got eaten by a cat tonight.

Did the cat enjoy it?

 

[foreverLaur]

Did the cat enjoy it?

i'm sure. it enjoys terrorizing the other cats, but never a human. i guess it was its test subject.

 

[Fuji Syuusuke]

i remind myself that for every hour i don't study, god kills a kitten.

That is quite an extreme way of putting it don't you think?

Harry Potter

This is going to be a great summer.

Although I think they will ruin the 5th movie as it was my favorite book. They took a lot out of the 4th movie to make it a reasonable length and the 5th book was longer and more involved. I can't imagine what all they are going to chop out...

I don't mean to be rude or ignorant (being as I just joined the forums yesterday) but what does this post have to do with this thread at all?
(admin let me know if I'm out of line)

 

[foreverLaur]

I don't mean to be rude or ignorant (being as I just joined the forums yesterday) but what does this post have to do with this thread at all?
(admin let me know if I'm out of line)

I was just replying to someones post about their study system with Harry Potter. I get excited whenever Harry Potter comes up.

 

[nick_carraway]

That is quite an extreme way of putting it don't you think?

I don't mean to be rude or ignorant (being as I just joined the forums yesterday) but what does this post have to do with this thread at all?
(admin let me know if I'm out of line)

One thing you'll appreciate sooner or later is that most threads will be hijacked and very quickly fail to have anything to do with the OP's initial post. It's what makes SDN fun and repeat posts more bearable.

 

[nick_carraway]

Osama Bear-Laden's a prick. I bet he's in Montana stealing all our dinosaur fossils to build his fleet of Flintstone cars. What a madman. A horrible threat to SDN. We should invade Montana and fight him there. Before we have to fight him and his troll friends here.

 

[Yehosh]

Whenever I think about having to study, I try to escape by watching movies or playing games--anything to take my mind off of it.

I bought a PS2 early in 2nd year. I sold it a month later after I figured out that spending all night trying to get the S-license on Gran Turismo 3 may not be the greatest thing for my GPA. Watching a movie and unwinding is one thing, but you probably know as well as I do that some of these games can be very addicting.

 

[apnea]

i'm sure. it enjoys terrorizing the other cats, but never a human. i guess it was its test subject.