How much damage did I do?

[Amalthea68]

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Hi all,

So, I got the bright idea to take an accelerated summer pre req class. I got through the first section of it, but I really started to falter in the second section. I was having panic attacks, got extremely run down and eventually got sick. I ended up having to take a W in the lecture (and lab since they are linked ugh ugh ugh).

I plan on retaking these in the fall at a normal pace.

How much damage did I do? These are my first W's.

 

[Ismet]

No damage. Just retake it and rock it during the semester. A couple W's doesn't keep you out of med school.

 

[The Bunk]

I think your biggest problem here might be your coping strategy. What do you do when you start faltering in a class?

 

[Amalthea68]

I think your biggest problem here might be your coping strategy. What do you do when you start faltering in a class?

I've never had academic issues before this sequence of classes. It was 2 semesters of coursework condensed into 8 weeks.

My main problem was that I wasn't confident in what I was doing (very little time to prepare since everything was so condensed). I've never had panic attacks before and I HOPE they were just the result of the pace of this class, but now my confidence is shattered and I'm not sure how to pick up the pieces.

I agree, I was not coping well. I've never done anything at that intense of pace before.

I physically ran myself into the ground, which I've never done (to this extent) before. It was a vicious cycle of: If you were getting enough sleep you weren't studying enough, but if you were studying enough you were sleeping very little.

I wasn't able to do the things I normally do to blow off steam (exercise, cooking, something to take my mind off of what I am doing), and I felt a pent up, frenetic energy that I had a hard time taming.

I've never misstepped this badly before (no real academic issues)....but if I've ever faltered in a class before I always had time to regroup and get my head straight, but I didn't have the luxury of that in this accelerated series. I've always been able to bounce back.

 

[Ismet]

I've never had academic issues before this sequence of classes. It was 2 semesters of coursework condensed into 8 weeks.

Med school is worse. You need to learn how to cope with academic stress because you will definitely not have the time to regroup and collect yourself.

 

[Amalthea68]

Med school is worse. You need to learn how to cope with academic stress because you will definitely not have the time to regroup and collect yourself.

I know 🙁 I'm working up to that level of work...I've been out of school for awhile and my advisor suggested this set of accelerated classes since I am a little older and "want to get on" with my life. I regret trying to rush through the pre reqs. I wish I would have built up to this.

I feel like I went from sitting on a couch eating potato chips to running a marathon, with nothing in between. I mean, I've taken a few classes here and there in between (I did some of the pre reqs while working 50 hrs a week), but nothing even close to what I experienced this summer.

 

[The Bunk]

I've never had academic issues before this sequence of classes. It was 2 semesters of coursework condensed into 8 weeks.

My main problem was that I wasn't confident in what I was doing (very little time to prepare since everything was so condensed). I've never had panic attacks before and I HOPE they were just the result of the pace of this class, but now my confidence is shattered and I'm not sure how to pick up the pieces.

I agree, I was not coping well. I've never done anything at that intense of pace before.

I physically ran myself into the ground, which I've never done (to this extent) before. It was a vicious cycle of: If you were getting enough sleep you weren't studying enough, but if you were studying enough you were sleeping very little.

I wasn't able to do the things I normally do to blow off steam (exercise, cooking, something to take my mind off of what I am doing), and I felt a pent up, frenetic energy that I had a hard time taming.

I've never misstepped this badly before (no real academic issues)....but if I've ever faltered in a class before I always had time to regroup and get my head straight, but I didn't have the luxury of that in this accelerated series. I've always been able to bounce back.

Two semesters in 8 weeks is rough! It's really easy to lose confidence as the classes get harder. I think it happens to everyone at one point or another, so the key is to not give up. Maybe don't do these accelerated classes in the future? There's no shame in slowing down a bit.

Also, I don't think it's gonna help to skip your blow-off-steam activities. Even if you think you don't have time, you need to stay balanced. And please reach out for help when things get rough, academically and otherwise! Hopefully your school has resources for you like free tutors and counselors. Talk to your advisor, make a schedule. . . Just don't try to tough it out alone and end up panicking and getting sick!

 

[Amalthea68]

Two semesters in 8 weeks is rough! It's really easy to lose confidence as the classes get harder. I think it happens to everyone at one point or another, so the key is to not give up. Maybe don't do these accelerated classes in the future? There's no shame in slowing down a bit.

Also, I don't think it's gonna help to skip your blow-off-steam activities. Even if you think you don't have time, you need to stay balanced. And please reach out for help when things get rough, academically and otherwise! Hopefully your school has resources for you like free tutors and counselors. Talk to your advisor, make a schedule. . . Just don't try to tough it out alone and end up panicking and getting sick!

I see that now. I didn't feel like I had time to include those activities in my daily life but I was going nuts without an outlet.

Trust me, I will never take an accelerated class again. Everything is normal paced from here on out.