I really Hate Studying for MCAT

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zoner

zoner

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I IIII Hate studying for MCAT. Every studying is like torturing my brain and I still have three more months to study... YUK!
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ridethecliche said:
Don't study then. No one's making you.
Click to expand...

👍


The easiest way I have found is to think of it as a game. Are you really not willing to give up most of your free time over the next 3 - 4 months to get the score you want, and get accepted to the school you want to attend?
 
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Sometimes, I just think that all this studying won't really help me improve my score that drastically since it seems that MCAT tests for how you think about things and not how much you studied....

I am currently doing TBR and in some of the passages I get like 5 wrong and I am about to pull out all my hair or burn the damn book or just give everything up.
 
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zoner said:
Sometimes, I just think that all this studying won't really help me improve my score that drastically since it seems that MCAT tests for how you think about things and not how much you studied....

I am currently doing TBR and in some of the passages I get like 5 wrong and I am about to pull out all my hair or burn the damn book or just give everything up.
Click to expand...
If you are getting 5 out 7 or 8 wrong after studying a chapter, you are definitely doing something wrong. You should change the way you approach these concepts.
 
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zoner said:
Sometimes, I just think that all this studying won't really help me improve my score that drastically since it seems that MCAT tests for how you think about things and not how much you studied....

I am currently doing TBR and in some of the passages I get like 5 wrong and I am about to pull out all my hair or burn the damn book or just give everything up.
Click to expand...

I totally know how you feel. I went through that same thing. A good way to go about it is just step back and ask yourself why you got the questions wrong. You'll eventually get a lot better at it. Don't rush yourself. Just take your time. The more times you see the material and practice with things you aren't really getting, the better you'll do and more importantly, the better you'll feel. Good luck!
 
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zoner said:
I IIII Hate studying for MCAT. Every studying is like torturing my brain and I still have three more months to study... YUK!
Click to expand...
I agree...studying for that stupid test is like torturing your neurons...I think that I can study for a whole year days-in and days-out for that test, and I still believe I won't be able to break that magic 30+, which I need to land me a DO school acceptance. Danm...this test is really shattering my confidence.
 
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Okay.

So you guys want to be physicians and you're this frazzled by a freaking test on the basic sciences?

Calm the eff down. Make a plan, stick to it, and study your asses off.
I've often found that those that like to complain the most are the ones most likely to do the least.

Don't be that guy.
 
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Just that I never encountered these kind of questions. I am just really nervous and stressed that I am going to forget everything by the time I take the test in three months. I am a month into studying right now and it is actually harder than I thought it would be. Its not just simply reviewing the material, its knowing the material as if I created them or invented the topics.

Also, I am constantly worried that the TBR passages, questions and answers might be too ummm gimmicky? Meaning they just seem too easy and logical if you give them some thought. For example, say question that has to do with rounding, what if MCAT gives all four answers that are all close enough that massive rounding does not help? Other things like that. I mean I am constantly running into questions in TBR that seems like they are trying to trick you into getting the wrong answer. Who is to say that the real MCAT won't do that for every single question.

Argghhhh.
 
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Calm down.

Also, you might want to consider reducing your caffeine intake.

Also, also, you've studied for a month. Have you taken the free aamc test? Why not take that and see if TBR has been lying to you or not?

Make sure to take most, if not all, the AAMC tests.
 
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My biggest problem is there are certain topics I don't really know don't that well, and definitely never learned to in the detail that the MCAT demands(like molecular genetics and repro.) so for these topics I have to first spend hours to LEARN before I can even start doing MCAT passages for. And even when I get to the passages I do crappy(~65%), so I definitely agree with the notion that regardless of how well you know the material, there is definitely a limit to what score you will get.
 
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premedk said:
My biggest problem is there are certain topics I don't really know don't that well, and definitely never learned to in the detail that the MCAT demands(like molecular genetics and repro.) so for these topics I have to first spend hours to LEARN before I can even start doing MCAT passages for. And even when I get to the passages I do crappy(~65%), so I definitely agree with the notion that regardless of how well you know the material, there is definitely a limit to what score you will get.
Click to expand...

Their are enough places online that you can learn material without having to teach yourself.

Maybe you'll find some of it on MIT's free open course ware site.

http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
 
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UGHHHHHHHH i completely feel you. studying for this sucks so much, id rather jump off a cliff then spent 10 hrs a day in the lib like ive currently been doing. BUT if you need motivation read the "how did you react when you got into med school" thread....literally been reading it 5 times a day to make me realize this will all pay off soon! 🙂
 
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I'm prepping now, and I must say it is pretty painful. Add to that a decent course load, research, shadowing, volunteering, etc. Just keep your eyes on the prize. Fantasize yourself with an acceptance letter, and you'll feel better.
 
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Yep yep,,, thanks for all whining with me. Some passages I get like everything right and maybe 1 wrong. Some passages I just get everything wrong even those answers that I was confident with.
 
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Gahhhhh! I feel exactly like you Zoner! I've only been studying for a month....Verbal's improving though 😀 Verbal's the only thing that makes me happy right now...
 
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me, just the opposite.

my verbal is really all over the place. i hate verbal there is no consistent growth! I studied all the method.

last TBR verbal, i got 18 wrong out of 40. The best one so far has been 12 wrong out of 40.
 
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Currently i'm going through the same thing so I really think that my best option is to take the ExamKrackers Comprehensive Course ... I think i will get a better understanding of the material ...
 
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/shrug

I figure I have to do this, so I might as well enjoy it. So far it's working out okay for me. I put on some tunes, go to a coffee shop and get to it. Taking breaks every now and then to play angry birds and check out girls.

It's treating me well so far 😉

/End shrug
 
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Just another quick philosophical-esque post.

I come from an endurance sports background. I raced bicycles for a few years in undergrad. Injuries took me out of the sport for a bit when I broke my 'face bone', 4 teeth, nose, etc in a high speed (45+mph) downhill crash. I came back from that and placed 3rd in my state 2x in my category.

Then I got a knee overuse injury and other crap, so I'm on hiatus again.

There's one thing I learned during that time and it's actually simple. If I wanted to do well in a race, I had to picture myself crossing the line with NO ONE in front of me. I had to line up at the start with a smile on my face and look around myself and go, man I feel sorry for everyone here because today I feel like I'm going to make them hurt. If I wanted to do well, I just had to make sure that I suffered harder than everyone else around me.

The road to finish line is pure suffering, but that makes it oh so much sweeter when you cross that line and accomplish your goals. Aim for the podium and work for it. Hard.

In MCAT terms, if you want a 32, shoot for a 40. Yeah the odds aren't in your favor, but are the odds ever in your favor? The probability is greater that you'll be a nobody in life than a somebody. Are you okay with that? I know I'm not.

Learn to suffer and learn to embrace it. If you can't keep your head up in those times, then you need to step back, do something else to get yourself in the zone, and come back to it.

More people fail this process than get through it. Most of those people picture other people crossing the line first. Pave your own path. Finish first. Give it everything you've got. Do you really want to half ass something you want? If you're doing that, then pack up and go home. You clearly don't want it badly enough.

Good luck.

This 'motivational' speech helps too (Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross). 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI
 
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Does anybody's realCAT hate when you study for the MCAT?


smallercat.jpg
 
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More people fail this process than get through it. Most of those people picture other people crossing the line first. Pave your own path. Finish first. Give it everything you've got. Do you really want to half ass something you want? If you're doing that, then pack up and go home. You clearly don't want it badly enough.
Click to expand...

Is there a LIKE button? 👍
 
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ridethecliche said:
Just another quick philosophical-esque post.

I come from an endurance sports background. I raced bicycles for a few years in undergrad. Injuries took me out of the sport for a bit when I broke my 'face bone', 4 teeth, nose, etc in a high speed (45+mph) downhill crash. I came back from that and placed 3rd in my state 2x in my category.

Then I got a knee overuse injury and other crap, so I'm on hiatus again.

There's one thing I learned during that time and it's actually simple. If I wanted to do well in a race, I had to picture myself crossing the line with NO ONE in front of me. I had to line up at the start with a smile on my face and look around myself and go, man I feel sorry for everyone here because today I feel like I'm going to make them hurt. If I wanted to do well, I just had to make sure that I suffered harder than everyone else around me.

The road to finish line is pure suffering, but that makes it oh so much sweeter when you cross that line and accomplish your goals. Aim for the podium and work for it. Hard.

In MCAT terms, if you want a 32, shoot for a 40. Yeah the odds aren't in your favor, but are the odds ever in your favor? The probability is greater that you'll be a nobody in life than a somebody. Are you okay with that? I sure as hell won't!

Learn to suffer and learn to embrace it. If you can't keep your head up in those times, then you need to step back, do something else to get yourself in the zone, and come back to it.

More people fail this process than get through it. Most of those people picture other people crossing the line first. Pave your own path. Finish first. Give it everything you've got. Do you really want to half ass something you want? If you're doing that, then pack up and go home. You clearly don't want it badly enough.

Good luck.

This 'motivational' speech helps too (Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross). 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI
Click to expand...

Thanks mate.
👍
 
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ridethecliche said:
Just another quick philosophical-esque post.

I come from an endurance sports background. I raced bicycles for a few years in undergrad. Injuries took me out of the sport for a bit when I broke my 'face bone', 4 teeth, nose, etc in a high speed (45+mph) downhill crash. I came back from that and placed 3rd in my state 2x in my category.

Then I got a knee overuse injury and other crap, so I'm on hiatus again.

There's one thing I learned during that time and it's actually simple. If I wanted to do well in a race, I had to picture myself crossing the line with NO ONE in front of me. I had to line up at the start with a smile on my face and look around myself and go, man I feel sorry for everyone here because today I feel like I'm going to make them hurt. If I wanted to do well, I just had to make sure that I suffered harder than everyone else around me.

The road to finish line is pure suffering, but that makes it oh so much sweeter when you cross that line and accomplish your goals. Aim for the podium and work for it. Hard.

In MCAT terms, if you want a 32, shoot for a 40. Yeah the odds aren't in your favor, but are the odds ever in your favor? The probability is greater that you'll be a nobody in life than a somebody. Are you okay with that? I know I'm not.

Learn to suffer and learn to embrace it. If you can't keep your head up in those times, then you need to step back, do something else to get yourself in the zone, and come back to it.

More people fail this process than get through it. Most of those people picture other people crossing the line first. Pave your own path. Finish first. Give it everything you've got. Do you really want to half ass something you want? If you're doing that, then pack up and go home. You clearly don't want it badly enough.

Good luck.

This 'motivational' speech helps too (Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross). 😉

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AXTx4PcKI
Click to expand...

lolwut?

To everyone else: Just sit down and study. That's it.
 
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Silverfalcon said:
lolwut?
Click to expand...

Did you bother reading anything that came up before or after that? Remember, passages are context driven!

Here let me make it simple for you:

1) In the statement in bold, the author was most likely trying to do which of the following:

A) Use hyperbole
B) Use sarcasm
C) Inspire the misguided, condescending, and self serving ire of Silverfalcon.
D) Inspire others to raise their goals up and work harder

Do you change your studying based on what you're shooting for? 'Oh, I only want a 30, I can afford to get this wrong,' isn't really the right 'tude.

Maybe I should have said 45 instead of 40...
 
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ridethecliche said:
Did you bother reading anything that came up before or after that? Remember, passages are context driven!

Here let me make it simple for you:

1) In the statement in bold, the author was most likely trying to do which of the following:

A) Use hyperbole
B) Use sarcasm
C) Inspire the misguided, condescending, and self serving ire of Silverfalcon.
D) Inspire others to raise their goals up and work harder

Do you change your studying based on what you're shooting for? 'Oh, I only want a 30, I can afford to get this wrong,' isn't really the right 'tude.

Maybe I should have said 45 instead of 40...
Click to expand...

Hey, I appreciate your philosophy on MCAT studying, but the mockery isn't necessary. Also, I'm sure the person who started this thread was looking for comradery, not a lecture. No offense at all. I just think SDN is a really good resource for those looking for support and constructive advice, so I like to support that reputation.
 
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iMEDatUCI said:
Hey, I appreciate your philosophy on MCAT studying, but the mockery isn't necessary. Also, I'm sure the person who started this thread was looking for comradery, not a lecture. No offense at all. I just think SDN is a really good resource for those looking for support and constructive advice, so I like to support that reputation.
Click to expand...

No offense taken. I'm in agreement with what you have to say. I'm a little snarky in general. Hopefully no one will take it personally.

Road rash leads to thick skin 😉

And here's the OP's response to my wall of text.

zoner said:
Thanks mate.
👍
Click to expand...
 
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ridethecliche said:
Did you bother reading anything that came up before or after that? Remember, passages are context driven!

Here let me make it simple for you:

1) In the statement in bold, the author was most likely trying to do which of the following:

A) Use hyperbole
B) Use sarcasm
C) Inspire the misguided, condescending, and self serving ire of Silverfalcon.
D) Inspire others to raise their goals up and work harder

Do you change your studying based on what you're shooting for? 'Oh, I only want a 30, I can afford to get this wrong,' isn't really the right 'tude.

Maybe I should have said 45 instead of 40...
Click to expand...

mmm thank you for the inspiration. I don't know how to thank you. Perhaps, you can all come back after you have taken a real MCAT and show that you are that guy who pulls 45 because you have exact philosophy needed to excel in MCAT.

If you were Lil Wayne or lion with a palm on his face, then I'll listen. Otherwise, nah, just another pre-med trying to come up with his own "philosophy" about MCAT.
 
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Silverfalcon said:
mmm thank you for the inspiration. I don't know how to thank you. Perhaps, you can all come back after you have taken a real MCAT and show that you are that guy who pulls 45 because you have exact philosophy needed to excel in MCAT.

If you were Lil Wayne or lion with a palm on his face, then I'll listen. Otherwise, nah, just another pre-med trying to come up with his own "philosophy" about MCAT.
Click to expand...

Whoosh.

Point. Missed.

Completely.

I never said I was getting a 45. I was saying that I'm going to study like I'm shooting for it. Why? Because there's no reason not to!

I was offering encouragement. Here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/encouragement

Maybe you should learn how to do that. Skimming some of your posting history leads me to believe that you're doing the complete opposite.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search.php?searchid=15531987
 
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ridethecliche said:
Whoosh.

Point. Missed.

Completely.

I never said I was getting a 45. I was saying that I'm going to study like I'm shooting for it. Why? Because there's no reason not to!

I was offering encouragement. Here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/encouragement

Maybe you should learn how to do that. Skimming some of your posting history leads me to believe that you're doing the complete opposite.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/search.php?searchid=15531987
Click to expand...

Since you are relatively a new user, you probably didn't get the message in the second paragraph. That's sad because that could've made your posts more entertaining to read. Nevertheless, I believe that you will one day find a cure to cancer. I mean, you are already providing a lecture on philosophy of MCAT in 20's. Very impressive. Best luck to you.
 
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Silverfalcon said:
Since you are relatively a new user, you probably didn't get the message in the second paragraph. That's sad because that could've made your posts more entertaining to read. Nevertheless, I believe that you will one day find a cure to cancer. I mean, you are already providing a lecture on philosophy of MCAT in 20's. Very impressive. Best luck to you.
Click to expand...

Look dude/dudette. I have no idea who you are and I certainly don't have any beef with you. I just started posting, but I've been lurking on these forums for months. I work 50 hours a week at a hospital and didn't really have time to post, but workload has died down a little and I felt like I could contribute a little and learn a ton so I signed up.

I just threw out how I approach this process and many others in my life. If I have to do something, I do it as well as I can. That was all I was trying to express. My words were motivational and clearly had the intended effect for the OP.

My point with the numbers was simply that you should aim high and work hard. I have a feeling that you would have found something to criticize even if I hadn't included that.

I bet you're a great guy/girl in person so try to act the part. There are enough type A's here stepping on each others toes.

I offered the OP some advice and you came in here to criticize me. I'm still not sure what compelled you to do that, but I'm asking you to please refrain from doing so. Thanks, and sorry for the extreme snark on my part.

I think you're taking the MCAT again soon. Best of luck. I hope you get the score you're shooting for.

As far as cancer. Thanks, but cancer research isn't really an interest of mine. I've spent a few summers doing internships and fieldwork at HIV/AIDS NGO's abroad and work at an Infectious Disease department at one of the best hospitals in the country. My interest lies fully in Infectious Disease. Though, I'm more interested in public health measures than bench research in HIV.

So it goes.
 
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ridethecliche said:
Look dude/dudette. I have no idea who you are and I certainly don't have any beef with you. I just started posting, but I've been lurking on these forums for months. I work 50 hours a week at a hospital and didn't really have time to post, but workload has died down a little and I felt like I could contribute a little and learn a ton so I signed up.

I just threw out how I approach this process and many others in my life. If I have to do something, I do it as well as I can. That was all I was trying to express. My words were motivational and clearly had the intended effect for the OP.

My point with the numbers was simply that you should aim high and work hard. I have a feeling that you would have found something to criticize even if I hadn't included that.

I bet you're a great guy/girl in person so try to act the part. There are enough type A's here stepping on each others toes.

I offered the OP some advice and you came in here to criticize me. I'm still not sure what compelled you to do that, but I'm asking you to please refrain from doing so. Thanks, and sorry for the extreme snark on my part.

I think you're taking the MCAT again soon. Best of luck. I hope you get the score you're shooting for.

As far as cancer. Thanks, but cancer research isn't really an interest of mine. I've spent a few summers doing internships and fieldwork at HIV/AIDS NGO's abroad and work at an Infectious Disease department at one of the best hospitals in the country. My interest lies fully in Infectious Disease. Though, I'm more interested in public health measures than bench research in HIV.

So it goes.
Click to expand...

Hey bud,

Alright, since you persisted, I'll post longer response. I certainly do not have any beef with you so the idea is mutual. I also do not intend to denigrate your attempt to provide helpful information to other students.

I think what you should realize, however, is that this is SDN, and I've personally seen too often where people who are studying MCAT try to offer advices while studying. That really doesn't work, and it's not you, or me, or that random guy walking the street down near Walmart, but just the nature of the exam. I'm sure you had good intentions to do it, but a lot of times, people who are trolls just post what they believe is a "good way to study for MCAT" and never come back after scoring poorly. So, for someone like you who's busy, do not try to spend your time to do that! Instead, focus on your own studying and get that score you need; I'm saying that for your behalf in honest manner.

As a side note, I tend to make very sarcastic comments. It gets the point across though, and that's sort of the nature of SDN. Relax and enjoy the flow here - otherwise, you will be that guy who gets upset about every sarcastic/negative comment that throws at you. 🙂
 
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Silverfalcon said:
Hey bud,

Alright, since you persisted, I'll post longer response. I certainly do not have any beef with you so the idea is mutual. I also do not intend to denigrate your attempt to provide helpful information to other students.

I think what you should realize, however, is that this is SDN, and I've personally seen too often where people who are studying MCAT try to offer advices while studying. That really doesn't work, and it's not you, or me, or that random guy walking the street down near Walmart, but just the nature of the exam. I'm sure you had good intentions to do it, but a lot of times, people who are trolls just post what they believe is a "good way to study for MCAT" and never come back after scoring poorly. So, for someone like you who's busy, do not try to spend your time to do that! Instead, focus on your own studying and get that score you need; I'm saying that for your behalf in honest manner.

As a side note, I tend to make very sarcastic comments. It gets the point across though, and that's sort of the nature of SDN. Relax and enjoy the flow here - otherwise, you will be that guy who gets upset about every sarcastic/negative comment that throws at you. 🙂
Click to expand...

Now that we understand each other, expect me to make snarky quips more often.

🙂
 
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i feel you

then again I'm sure most people don't "like" studying for the MCAT, it's just something that must be done
 
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Lets just all get along!!!!

Anyways, these forums are great for whining and venting!!! Who else are going to listen to us whine and get frustrated? My parents are already sick of it and my special someone is so bored by it. Only you guys understand what it's like.
 
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This thread defiantly needs a bump.

I hate studying for the MCAT. I been studying since July, I am planning to take it in Jan.
I feel like how much I study I will just bomb it. There so much to know.
 
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maybemed2013 said:
This thread defiantly needs a bump.

I hate studying for the MCAT. I been studying since July, I am planning to take it in Jan.
I feel like how much I study I will just bomb it. There so much to know.
Click to expand...

Find a way to love, in some way, studying for it. I guarantee it will make your score higher. Good luck!
 
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maybemed2013 said:
This thread defiantly needs a bump.

I hate studying for the MCAT. I been studying since July, I am planning to take it in Jan.
I feel like how much I study I will just bomb it. There so much to know.
Click to expand...

Haha, I remember when I started this thread. Keep it up everyone there is a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of THIS journey. I am there right now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using SDN Mobile
 
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Perhaps he wasn't referring to himself.

Studying for the MCAT sucks, but you have to find a way to keep your eyes on the prize and just keep imagining how great it will feel to open up your scores and see a great one (or I suppose you could imagine how crappy it would feel to open them up to a bad one).

It's worth it in the end.
 
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