How To Combat an "MCAT Studying Burnout"

[MedSchoolNoob]

Hey guys, I've been studying for the Aug 5th MCAT since May 6th. I peaked out at 34 and have been dropping every week since to an all-time low 20. I feel so drained yet I don't feel prepared enough to take large chunks of my week off to relax. I've been studying 8 hours everyday since May 6th. Are there any techniques/methods anyone has used to combat an MCAT Studying burnout other than taking weeks at a time off?

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[0Complications]

Hey guys, I've been studying for the Aug 5th MCAT since May 6th. I peaked out at 34 and have been dropping every week since to an all-time low 20. I feel so drained yet I don't feel prepared enough to take large chunks of my week off to relax. I've been studying 8 hours everyday since May 6th. Are there any techniques/methods anyone has used to combat an MCAT Studying burnout other than taking weeks at a time off?

By this point, I'm sure you know the information. My suggestion to you would not be to takes weeks off, but take the next few days off. I would take until Monday off. You are in serious burnout zone if you're dipping to the low 20's from 34. Enjoy the rest of your week and do nothing MCAT related. Then when you get back to studying, go easy. Just do maybe 3-4 hours instead of the 8 you were doing and I would take the 24th and 25th off next week as well. You need to stay fresh, and being mentally prepared is just as important as knowing the information.

Enjoy your break, then come back refreshed. You don't need 8 hour day reviews anymore. You just need to stay fresh and cover holes in your knowledge at this point.

 

[raab32]

At what point do you think you started to burn out? Do you feel mentally drained and unmotivated? I agree with the above poster... you should definitely give yourself a few days away from the subject material and try to relax a little bit. All the study plans I have seen have factored in at least one day a week off from studying, and these days off usually increase as you get closer to the test. I dunno what you're into/like to do in your spare time, but you probably haven't been able to do much of it while studying all the time, so give yourself some time to do these things. You gotta refresh and re-invigorate yourself. Remind yourself what you're doing this for and what it means to you. It'll come back.

 

[IveyGirl]

Hey guys, I've been studying for the Aug 5th MCAT since May 6th. I peaked out at 34 and have been dropping every week since to an all-time low 20. I feel so drained yet I don't feel prepared enough to take large chunks of my week off to relax. I've been studying 8 hours everyday since May 6th. Are there any techniques/methods anyone has used to combat an MCAT Studying burnout other than taking weeks at a time off?

Have you considered exercise? I'm not sure if you're into any sports or anything, but physical fitness helps ease the stress and improve concentration when you're studying. Take a few hours off every day (for sure) and use some of that time to exercise. I'm sure you'll find it beneficial. 0Complications is right, you should take a couple days off right about now. Then come back with a focused plan on how you're going to study from now until the exam. Best of luck, and mad props on going for so long. Respect. 👍

 

[Baboo Bhaiya]

For the next 1 or 2 days, don't do ANYTHING MCAT related (including SDN). Then, when you start studying for MCAT,,, make sure you take small breaks frequently. I read an article somewhere they said that when studying, the average attention span is about 45 minutes, so they recommended ~10 minutes every 45 minutes. I know that can be difficult sometimes when you are trying to get lot of stuff done, but make sure you take small breaks every hour or two.. As for improving your test scores,, make sure you don't try to cram stuff before taking the practice exam, and during the test, take a 5 second break between every passage (EK verbal technique, which actually works for all subjects)

All the best, and for ENJOY the next 2 days - hang out with friends, go watch a movie (make sure its a comedy)

 

[element0]

Like everyone else said, take some time off.

 

[2010houston]

Also, consider doing something completely different...like NOT reviewing MCAT questions, taking practice tests, etc but instead reviewing your actual basic science notes (like the Kaplan science review if you have that, or going through the AAMC outline posted on their website). It can be refreshing to just look at good old books instead of doing online practice all the time. It helped me a lot.

 

[loveoforganic]

Also, you've already put in like 700 hours of mcat prep... Take it easy dude - consider restricting yourself to 4 or 5 hour days or something.

 

[SuperSaiyan3]

i've been doing the same thing, but my test date is on aug 6th. So i guess I'll get an extra 24 hours of prep time than you.

I've been going to the gym regularly at the start, but it was taking way too much time to bus to the gym and back (like 3 hours!).

I'm a personal trainer so I decided to incorporate a program that saves time and yet still maintains my health and physique: HIIT.

HIIT is "High Intensity Interval Training." It's really easy and safe. Go to your local park, and do mixed or set intervals of walking, jogging and full-out sprinting.

The whole purpose is to speed up your metabolism and I've recently read a study on G&M that high intensity activities for a shorter period of time is the same as an long-term exercise. They did the experiment with rats.

ANYWAYS. That's really strange how your score went down from a 34 to a low 20. Maybe you're not studying effectively?

Personally speaking (and very embarrassingly), I started off with my MCAT scores at 14. Yes people, I score FOURTEEN on my first MCAT. If I ever become a doctor, you can herald me as the next miracle on earth.

But gradually, I started improving and now I'm happy to say I can confidently challenge the MCAT on test day.

Keep your confidence up and DO NOT resort to drinking energy drinking. If anything, these things will impede your mental performance after boosting it momentarily. Take care of your body, and it'll reciprocate.

I'd also recommend placing more faith on the holy gospel of Jesus Christ, but that's only if you're a Christian...

seriously, ever since I've been placing more emphasis on God in my life, He's been doing wonders for me. And the bible has a lot of wisdom (but nothing on the MCAT) that'll help you out in life.

Just my $2. My thoughts are 100x more expensive than that of a layman so you'd better appreciate it.

- SS3

Keep powering up.

 

[cbrons]

sex and exercise help... even some light reading and a beer or 2 or 3. Yes that's serious advice.

 

[0Complications]

sex and exercise help... even some light reading and a beer or 2 or 3. Yes that's serious advice.

Amen! I'm probably going to resort to all of the above tonight... I'm spent and my exam is Friday. No mas!!!

 

[MedSchoolNoob]

Thanks a lot for the advice everybody. I guess I'm gonna pull the old weights outta my closet starting tomorrow and probably stay off SDN for a bit so I don't go completely crazy! Good luck to everyone taking the MCAT this summer!