How to avoid MCAT burnout?

[Seldon]

I've spent 8 hours a day for the last week reading and transcribing everything from my Kaplan text and I can feel myself slowing down. Considering that this is just the beginning, how can I avoid burnout? Thank you for your help!

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[deleted446889]

Pace yourself and make sure you get an adequate amount of chilling and non-MCAT activities. Also, your endurance should hopefully get better and better.

 

[eljefemdfuturo]

I think my clinical volunteering helped me prevent burnout. It was a constant reminder of my "why"

 

[Lucca]

1) imagine having a bad score
2) study harder

alternatively

3) caffeine

 

[SuaveCardigans]

Exercise

Take breaks. I never did more than 3-4 hours without taking at least an hour to eat/chill/ whatever.

If you feel yourself tiring out, remember quality>quantity in terms of time spent

 

[Lawpy]

I've spent 8 hours a day for the last week reading and transcribing everything from my Kaplan text and I can feel myself slowing down. Considering that this is just the beginning, how can I avoid burnout? Thank you for your help!

1. Stop writing notes and watch Khan Academy videos instead

2. Do several passages each day and review them thoroughly

3. Take practice tests on a weekly basis to see how you are faring and target your weaknesses to improve

Targeted content review >>>> reading from prep books. I would rather bomb a TPR test with a 495, attack every weakness methodically and work hard to minimize weaknesses than studying generally and saving the practice tests for the last month or so. Active learning is essential to doing well on the exam.

 

[XxThaDoggxX]

This is harsh but....

It's the test that in large part determines whether or not you get an opportunity to go and chase your dream, and become involved in a rewarding and lucrative career. This is what (probably) you and most people have been working towards for quite some time now. Being denied such a great opportunity based on 1 single poor score is something that should terrify you and at the same time give you all the motivation you need.

Buck up and keep f*ckin pushing, you will thank yourself when you are done.

 

[raiderette]

Take practice tests and then target your studying. You need to find out how prepared you are and study smarter.

 

[Seldon]

1. Stop writing notes and watch Khan Academy videos instead

2. Do several passages each day and review them thoroughly

3. Take practice tests on a weekly basis to see how you are faring and target your weaknesses to improve

Targeted content review >>>> reading from prep books. I would rather bomb a TPR test with a 495, attack every weakness methodically and work hard to minimize weaknesses than studying generally and saving the practice tests for the last month or so. Active learning is essential to doing well on the exam.

Thanks for the advice. Ironically, you're advice in favor of taking practice tests is exactly why I don't want to take them. Inevitably, there will be holes in test's content and I don't want miss out on something important.

I will start doing CARS passages each day though. I was actually planning on starting that after I've finished this my next (and last book transcription).

I'd use Khan academy, but I find the videos to be way too slow. Taking notes is really time consuming, but once I'm done, it only takes me a 3-4 days to memorize everything in a Kaplan book.

 

[Lawpy]

Thanks for the advice. Ironically, you're advice in favor of taking practice tests is exactly why I don't want to take them. Inevitably, there will be holes in test's content and I don't want miss out on something important.

I will start doing CARS passages each day though. I was actually planning on starting that after I've finished this my next (and last book transcription).

I'd use Khan academy, but I find the videos to be way too slow. Taking notes is really time consuming, but once I'm done, it only takes me a 3-4 days to memorize everything in a Kaplan book.

Company tests are flawed but they serve as useful indicators to mark your progress and show where you need to improve. They are one of many ways of active learning. I'd spend more time working on practice passages under timed conditions on a daily basis.

You can watch Khan Academy videos on 2x speed by altering the video settings. I just think reading from prep books and taking notes are too passive and not the best use of the time. 3-4 hours of active learning >>>> 6-8 hours taking notes.

 

[Seldon]

Company tests are flawed but they serve as useful indicators to mark your progress and show where you need to improve. They are one of many ways of active learning. I'd spend more time working on practice passages under timed conditions on a daily basis.

You can watch Khan Academy videos on 2x speed by altering the video settings. I just think reading from prep books and taking notes are too passive and not the best use of the time. 3-4 hours of active learning >>>> 6-8 hours taking notes.

I absolutely agree that note taking is too passive. My actual studying comes from mock lecturing the material to an empty class. If I can goes through all of the material with no stumbles, I'm done. Then, I usually teach actual people and then spend a day in a coffee shop going through practice problems and reading the course topic questions.

This strategy should work with the MCAT, but the prep (in depth notes on from every book) is a lot more arduous than college classes.

 

[Lawpy]

I absolutely agree that note taking is too passive. My actual studying comes from mock lecturing the material to an empty class. If I can goes through all of the material with no stumbles, I'm done. Then, I usually teach actual people and then spend a day in a coffee shop going through practice problems and reading the course topic questions.

This strategy should work with the MCAT, but the prep (in depth notes on from every book) is a lot more arduous than college classes.

That's a good strategy since it forces you to learn and master the concepts. I'd still do practice passages on a daily basis since application of concepts is essential to doing well.

 

[Seldon]

That's a good strategy since it forces you to learn and master the concepts. I'd still do practice passages on a daily basis since application of concepts is essential to doing well.

Thank you. I think you're right though. I'll integrate the passages into my study schedule.

Do you have any advice about maintaining energy while studying? My biggest problem in college and here is that my energy levels are very fickle. I've been able to maintain a 3.98 GPA in college, but the scale of the MCAT means that my school strategies probably won't work to keep my energy up.

 

[DBC03]

I felt the same way when I was studying for it. It was so difficult to keep plugging away. I got involved in a really great shadowing opportunity and continued volunteering and I found that it gave me just enough energy to keep going - the reminder of WHY I was studying. It also reminded me that the point of the exam is to get a good enough score to get into med school.

One change I would recommend is to consider using TBR's material. I would read a chapter (while taking notes, despite the fact that everyone here seems down on note taking - just make sure you are thinking through the concepts and rewording the main idea), then I would do 3 to 5 passages after each chapter. I felt their material mirrored the passage and question types of the real MCAT and also helped me avoid burnout.

 

[Lawpy]

Thank you. I think you're right though. I'll integrate the passages into my study schedule.

Do you have any advice about maintaining energy while studying? My biggest problem in college and here is that my energy levels are very fickle. I've been able to maintain a 3.98 GPA in college, but the scale of the MCAT means that my school strategies probably won't work to keep my energy up.

Take regular breaks during studying. After 45 minutes of focused studying, take a 10 minute break to do something else/relax etc., and go back to studying. During practice tests, ExamKrackers suggests taking a 5-second break before starting on a new passage/discrete set to clear your mind from previous passages/question. Regular breaks are important to maintain energy, focus and stamina for the exam.

 

[eljefemdfuturo]

Also, one thing that helped me was to try and find the interest/application of everything that's being learned. My study/learning method is very concept-based and uses memorization to fill in the gaps. I think this made studying a bit more interesting and enjoyable, but I'm not sure if that's your style (everyone is different!)

 

[Seldon]

Also, one thing that helped me was to try and find the interest/application of everything that's being learned. My study/learning method is very concept-based and uses memorization to fill in the gaps. I think this made studying a bit more interesting and enjoyable, but I'm not sure if that's your style (everyone is different!)

That's usually what I try to do, though actual excitement is sometimes hard to muster.

My studying is very image based. I build models in my head of images (sometimes "video clips") and connect them by threads that I can manipulate. I do have a lot of fun when I've finished building it, but the middle bit is really exhausting (unless I'm super stressed). IDK, I'm sure I'll get on a roll eventually, but it'll take some time.

 

[TRPMinus]

Caffeine
Exercise
Alcohol

Boom

 

[Seldon]

Caffeine
Exercise
Alcohol

Boom

Good tips for med school too, I'm sure.

 

[DBC03]

That's usually what I try to do, though actual excitement is sometimes hard to muster.

My studying is very image based. I build models in my head of images (sometimes "video clips") and connect them by threads that I can manipulate. I do have a lot of fun when I've finished building it, but the middle bit is really exhausting (unless I'm super stressed). IDK, I'm sure I'll get on a roll eventually, but it'll take some time.

I listened to Khan Academy videos in the car, on runs, and even in the shower. I would build mental images of what they were saying instead of seeing the videos themselves. You might find that helpful and mildly enjoyable.


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[eljefemdfuturo]

That's usually what I try to do, though actual excitement is sometimes hard to muster.

My studying is very image based. I build models in my head of images (sometimes "video clips") and connect them by threads that I can manipulate. I do have a lot of fun when I've finished building it, but the middle bit is really exhausting (unless I'm super stressed). IDK, I'm sure I'll get on a roll eventually, but it'll take some time.

Cool. Like I said, everyone is different, but I think approaching MCAT passages and questions from a conceptual standpoint was very helpful. Just continue to practice, remember why you're doing this, and keep your head up!

 

[DBC03]

That's usually what I try to do, though actual excitement is sometimes hard to muster.

My studying is very image based. I build models in my head of images (sometimes "video clips") and connect them by threads that I can manipulate. I do have a lot of fun when I've finished building it, but the middle bit is really exhausting (unless I'm super stressed). IDK, I'm sure I'll get on a roll eventually, but it'll take some time.

Also, I found I had a lot more energy when I started taking practice exams. The first half (content review) was rough. Practice exams were mildly exciting in a way.


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[Seldon]

Cool. Like I said, everyone is different, but I think approaching MCAT passages and questions from a conceptual standpoint was very helpful. Just continue to practice, remember why you're doing this, and keep your head up!

Thanks, I appreciate it.

 

[Seldon]

Also, I found I had a lot more energy when I started taking practice exams. The first half (content review) was rough. Practice exams were mildly exciting in a way.


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Then I have something to look forward to.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Make the effort to go to family gatherings or social outings. Don't wall yourself away from your support system. These little breaks from studying will help you feel less secluded during the entire studying process and reinvigorate you spiritually and mentally.

 

[AdaptPrep]

I've spent 8 hours a day for the last week reading and transcribing everything from my Kaplan text and I can feel myself slowing down. Considering that this is just the beginning, how can I avoid burnout? Thank you for your help!

Pace yourself. Set goals. Give yourself breaks. Don't just read, copy, re-read. Make sure your practicing with questions and assessing which areas you are weak in. Students tend towards studying their strong areas. Make sure you don't ignore your weak areas.

 

[Username555]

I think the best thing that ever happened to me in terms of studying was when I realized I had to stop writing/typing notes on notes that were already given for me to read. Once you reach a certain point in your academic career, you just don't have time for that like you did in high school.

Sure, writing/typing might help memorize better, but the amount of time you spend doing that doesn't justify whatever you gain from it considering the notes are all typed out for you. You can get a lot more done in less time when you stop copying notes.

I studied around 5-6 hours a day, maybe closer to 7 when my test got closer, for around 2 months. I would just wake up every morning and start studying after breakfast, taking 10 minute breaks every hour or so, taking an hour off for lunch, etc. Usually my studying would end by dinner time and I would relax until I went to sleep. Once my test got closer I would study after dinner too.

What motivated me honestly was the fear of having to take it a second time if I didn't get the score I wanted. That made me study a lot more and more efficiently that I studied for any of my tests during college because obviously the consequences of not performing that well in those weren't nearly as big.