i'm burned out already...

[rainwoman]

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So, I'm curious if anyone else has gone through this experience, and if so, how you handled it?

I finished my undergrad in May 2002, and since then have been in a post-bac program, finishing my pre-med stuff. I know that I want to be a physician, no question. But, over the last year, I have developed a lot of new interests, and have lost some of my desire to "be done fast" that I brought with me into the post-bac program. I took some time off and spent this past fall semester in South America. Now I am back in school, finishing a few more classes. I have a 3.9 GPA, and I already took the MCAT's last August. SO, I'm all ready to apply to med school.

The problem is...I'm REALLY sick of school. Maybe it's because I was abroad for a while and just wish I could be back there. Or, maybe it's because I've lost some ambition. I'm not sure. But, I'm finding it hard to concentrate on classes now, and even harder to begin the whole application process. I think there are a few more things that I want to do before med school, and I don't really want to miss out on my early twenties. BUT, there is pressure from every side for me to get going. From my advisor, of course, and my parents. And, if I take time off, I have to start paying off my loans from my post-bac program.

So, I'm sort of stuck. Do I just suck it up and do what is expected of me? With a little work, I can pull off good grades this semester, although I might hate every minute of it. I'm flat burned out. What would you do? Really, I want to hear what you have to say. Thanks.

 

[theprizefighter]

rainwoman,

You're under a lot of pressure. You just need to relax a bit. I don't know how to tell you to relax so here are some soothing Coldplay lyrics below. Have a nice day!

Coldplay - Sparks

Did I drive you away?
I know what you'll say,
You say, "Oh, sing one we know,"
But I promise you this,
I'll always look out for you,
That's what I'll do.

I say "oh,"
I say "oh."

My heart is yours,
It's you that I hold on to,
That's what I do,
And I know I was wrong,
But I won't let you down,
(Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah I will, yes I will🙂

I say "oh,"
I cry "oh."

Yeah I saw sparks,
Yeah I saw sparks,
And I saw sparks,
Yeah I saw sparks,
Sing it out.

La, la, la, la, oh:
La, la, la, la, oh:
La, la, la, la, oh:

tpf

 

[Nvr Ending Jrny]

i'm sorry u feel burned out. yes i think perhaps you do just need to suck it up, get the grades u need, apply to schools, go to interviews, and GET INTO medical school. then if u need to take a year off between your post-bac and med school to do whatever it is you need to do. remember that although med school is very difficult you will be doing what u want to be doing. patient interaction, learning how to do various procedures, how to give a physical, etc.....it will all be worth it. everyone goes through these burn out periods. the difference between those that make it and those that don't is whether or not you can overcome a burn out and do what is necessary to connect the dots (so to speak).

good luck to you.

 

[exmike]

you can defer a year after you get in!

 

[dsblaha]

Do NOT apply to medical school right now. If you are already burned out the application process is worse than classes. If you think it is hard now just wait until medical school starts. It will be hard for you to get in with a bad attitude and you will have wasted a grip of money.

 

[Auricae]

Originally posted by dsblaha
Do NOT apply to medical school right now. If you are already burned out the application process is worse than classes. If you think it is hard now just wait until medical school starts. It will be hard for you to get in with a bad attitude and you will have wasted a grip of money.

I disagree. Although the application process SUCKS, I thought it wasn't as bad as classes (such as Orgo, etc.). I suggest that you apply and defer your acceptance a year.

 

[lilithny]

It's really up to you to decide. Some people say apply and defer. Others say not to do that.

If it were me, I would hold off on applying. Get out there... do things. You are still young. I really don't think it will hurt you if you just take a breather... you have the whole application process and 4 years of med school to be stressed.

 

[Bendrix]

I definitely sympathize with you. I also did a post-bacc, and toward the end, I found it extremely boring. It wasn't that I found the material inherently uninteresting, or that I doubted my decision to pursue a career in medicine. I just think that at a certain point, you've gotten everything you're going to get out of undergraduate-level courses. There's a little bit more material to absorb, but no intellectual growth left in the process of learning. And that's a little depressing, being in your 20s and feeling like you aren't developing.

I think you should keep in mind that the application process really doesn't require that much energy. Stressful? Sure. But a lot of that stress derives from the feeling of powerlessness that comes from waiting around knowing that there's nothing that you can do. The personal statement takes time, but you'll get that out soon. And though some people whine about secondaries, there's not much work to put into them. After that, if you go to a dozen interviews, you've done quite well, and really, that's only 12 days worth of effort. Simply put, you can have a full, busy year while you're applying.

 

[prevetprincess]

Take time off if you need it, if you're burned out now you'll never get through med school. Spend some time reflecting, relaxing, and getting yourself together!

 

[beanbean]

Since you just took your MCAT, you don't have to worry about the scores expiring for 2 1/2 years.

If you are burnt out now, I would seriously consider taking a little time before jumping into med school. If you finish your classes this term I assume you would be free from school until starting med school in Aug 2005. In addition you could probably defer for a year and not start until Aug. 2006. I would recommend that you first figure out what you really want to do before starting med school, figure out how much time you need to do these things, and apply accordingly. The advantage of applying and then asking for a deferal is that you know where you will be going to school and don't have the big "when/where will I get in question" hanging over your head. However, check the deferment policies at the schools you plan to apply to. Some allow deferment for only very strict reasons. What ever you do don't tak about defering during your interviews - I have seen people do this. All it tells the interviewer is that you aren't ready for med school yet and brings to question your commitment to medicine.

Best of luck. Its a long road, but I have never been happier.

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by jaycee

I think you should keep in mind that the application process really doesn't require that much energy. Stressful? Sure. But a lot of that stress derives from the feeling of powerlessness that comes from waiting around knowing that there's nothing that you can do. The personal statement takes time, but you'll get that out soon. And though some people whine about secondaries, there's not much work to put into them. After that, if you go to a dozen interviews, you've done quite well, and really, that's only 12 days worth of effort. Simply put, you can have a full, busy year while you're applying.

personally i would have to disagree...i dont know where the OP is from but if she is from california, or has a lower gpa/mcat or any combination of things...then yes the application process is one more tiring, time consuming things she will experience. i do other things during the day that takes up a lot of my time, and so time for secondaries i only had late at night. yeah i know not many people will apply to 40+ schools...but even 30+ is a tough thing. for the next few months i literally had only 2-3 hours of sleep trying to finish them up and writing all those responses and prepping for interviews at the same time.

 

[Eraserhead]

Hey, I was in your situation two years ago and I took a year off before I applied to do research (which I still do now). I figured that I was not ready to apply as a stress case and needed time to put things in perspective. This is NOT a good idea. You have to justify it to ad comms in interviews and after sitting around and just working/relaxing for a year you will be WAY TOO ready for school. Use the year off to apply while you do something interesting and relaxing, then make the decision about whether or not to defer. Its the better choice... two years off is way too long and I feel like I'm wasting time now.

 

[Bendrix]

I hear you jlee, but assuming a decent MCAT score, I think rainwoman would be crazy to apply to 30+ schools with a 3.9 GPA. If you keep your number of applications in the teens, they're just not that overwhelming.

 

[vtucci]

It can be challenging at times. I would suggest that you sit back and smell the roses until this semester ends. Apply in the summer and don't take any classes next year--- that will give you some much needed time off while you are completing your secondaries and interviews. If you still need time, you can take a year off after you get in.

In any event, if you think this is bad, wait until you start working 80-100 hours a week. I know--- I been there and done that with my first career-- that is exhausting.

My plan is to travel the summer before med school (Backpack through Europe) and then I will be nice and relaxed for med school. Maybe travel will work for you.

 

[koma]

Originally posted by rainwoman


The problem is...I'm REALLY sick of school. Maybe it's because I was abroad for a while and just wish I could be back there. Or, maybe it's because I've lost some ambition. I'm not sure. But, I'm finding it hard to concentrate on classes now, and even harder to begin the whole application process. I think there are a few more things that I want to do before med school, and I don't really want to miss out on my early twenties. BUT, there is pressure from every side for me to get going. From my advisor, of course, and my parents. And, if I take time off, I have to start paying off my loans from my post-bac program.

Thanks.

if you time your application process right, you can be done applying (and have acceptances) by mid november. Then you can take time off until you start medschool - give or take 8 months. Of course this depends on your stats and the schools you pick (rolling vs non rolling) but this worked for me, and since november I have basically been travelling (I am in argentina right now). The only sucky thing is doing your fin aid and taxes from abroad, but even that wasn?t so bad. Although, I dont know if this helped me ?get it out of my system.? At some point you just have to suck it up and start real life - at least thats what I keep telling myself.

 

[rainwoman]

wow guys, thanks for your response. it's good to know i'm not the only one who wants more time before med school. i guess my biggest concern with waiting a year to apply is that i will have to justify that to ad coms, and since i'm already in a post-bac program (and have taken time off from my post-bac to travel), it will probably appear that i'm not really committed to becoming a doctor. the trouble is, i'm only 21 (almost 22). i feel that i should be entitled to do a few more things and not have to explain myself during interviews...does anyone think that not applying this year will hurt my chances?

i've thought about applying and defering once i get in. The major problem with that is that i would need to start paying off loans if i took an additional year off. it would be difficult to travel (which is what i ultimately want to be doing) and still be able to make loan payments. does anyone know any ways to defer loan payments if you're not in school? also, i more than likely want to go explore more of south america if i defer, and do some backpacking/ kayaking trips. how do you explain that as a reason to defer? i'm not trying to play devil's advocate to the help you've all given, just raising a few more concerns.

if i apply this year, i plan on applying early, so its comforting to know that some people have acceptances before christmas. i guess i figured that it would be a 8/9 month process for sure (which theoretically it could be). it's not so much that i dread the application process...i guess my biggest fear is that i start med school too soon, without going out and doing other things first.

seriously guys, thanks for your input. any more thoughts?

 

[ptanpit1]

Here's my two-cents.
If you want to apply, go for it and defer if you want. Most schools are willing to give you that extra year to do something "productive."

If you don't want to apply, then take the extra year and then apply later. It really makes no difference at all.

If you want to go to medical school ASAP, then go. Your parents and your advisors aren't going there, they're not taking the classes, they're not going to spend their time studying and working, etc.

No matter what people say, ultimately it's your decision

 

[g3pro]

the way i'm timing my courses is that i'll have 'graduated' by the end of my junior year, but still have one little-pre-req left over. that way i can still be an 'undergrad' and thus continue my research.

i'll have about a full year off from school before med school (God willing), while still applying at the same time as everyone else from my year.



i hate burnout. sometimes i just need to get off and relax before plunging in once again and getting down and dirty. don't believe me? ask Dr.Cynical's mom.

 

[beanbean]

Don't think that once you start med school you will never travel again. The summer between your 1st and 2nd year is a great time to go abroad. There are many programs which provide medical care to people throughout the world and you can travel to some pretty amazing places. Other students take off a year between 2nd and 3rd year to pursue international medical opportunities.

My husband and I are travelling to South Africa this summer for vacation. I know I won't have the time to travel as I used to, but I plan to make the most of the time I have.

By the way - you are only 21 and have already graduated and done post-bacc! How old were you when you finished undergrad? You are still very young... don't rush into med school if there is other stuff you want to do first. There may be options for travelling as a student as part of a program which would allow you to defer your loan payments.

 

[Thundrstorm]

I just decided to wait a year before applying, for 3 major reasons. 1. I want to save money, 2. I felt rushed, and 3. I need a mental break from school. I want to start med school fresh and excited. I will be spending my year off working in a lab, but I will also take a couple months to travel. I think I'll ultimately have more energy to put into med school after a little breather. Feelings burned out doesn't mean you lack ambition; you shouldn't feel pressured to rush into this.

 

[lisa13579]

I am a seriously non-traditional applicant, in the sense that I got a degree in fine arts 5 years ago and applied this year. I don't think you should worry about explaining yourself to the admissions committees. I know that my "maturity" helped me and it sounds like you will be better prepared to apply after some time off. Certainly taking a year or more to explore other interests and get to know yourself better can only help you in the admissions process in my opinion. btw, I have been accepted to 3 schools and think that my outside experiences and time off only helped me in the process. Good luck!

 

[nrddct]

hey everyone,

kind of off topic but was if competitive getting into a post bac program?

 

[rainwoman]

actually, getting into a post-bac program wasn't so difficult. there are two approaches you can take:

1) go to a local/state university and find a non-structured post-bac program (essentially, they let you take your pre-med's there). the pro's are that it is cheaper and you have more control over your schedule. the con's are that you don't necessarily have individual attention. no one is specifically working to make sure that you get into medical school.

2) apply for a structured post-bac program (e.g. Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Goucher, etc). These programs are custom built for the post bac student, with a pre-arranged schedule/timeline so that you can finish quickly, and with other benefits that will help boost your application. The pro's are the individual attention and, typically, the small class size. The major con, of course, is that this is often expensive.

i would advise that you look into both, and figure out which one works for you. don't go to one of the structured programs unless you are certain you want to be there. good luck!