Mcat prep

[Mbsherrod]

hello all,
This is my first post on studentdoctor. Im 24 and just graduated undergrad yesterday, and I'm wanting to start my MCAT prep. I plan on doing the 100 day SN2ED and MCATjelly study plan. However, every time I sit down to prep, I lose concentration, get overwhelmed, and get stressed out. I'm wondering if I should take a break before starting the 100 day schedule. Has anyone else experienced this? The stress and worry about doing well on the MCAT and getting into medical school is really affecting me. I've burst into tears twice in the last 3 days and I'm encapsulated by fear and doubt of not becoming a doctor. I guess I'm just looking for someone that can relate and provide some words of encouragement. Thanks in advance.

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[Prestige88]

I didn't use the study plans, so I can't speak to those.
However, the biggest thing that helped me was taking it one step at a time. I went by subject matter, so in a 2 hour study period I might do an hour of gen chem and an hour of bio. I read up on subject matter and did some practice questions until I felt reasonably confident in whatever it was. Then I moved on. That helps you measure your progress (and I'm sure the study plans will help with that too). Make sure you see some of your successes - if you've know a topic backwards and forwards or aced all your practice questions, use that as fuel to press on! It's something to be happy about. Good luck!

 

[Cece-bean]

Hey Mbsherrod, I can imagine how you're feeling. This is something you really want and just the idea of not getting in is overwhelming. I would advise to focus and relax in the present. Try not to think about "not doing well on the MCAT" because you haven't even completed the study plan yet. Take comfort in the fact that you have a plan and are working towards your goal. Be comfortable in where you are right now, which is in the process of studying.

 

[Doc 1 Day]

hello all,
This is my first post on studentdoctor. Im 24 and just graduated undergrad yesterday, and I'm wanting to start my MCAT prep. I plan on doing the 100 day SN2ED and MCATjelly study plan. However, every time I sit down to prep, I lose concentration, get overwhelmed, and get stressed out. I'm wondering if I should take a break before starting the 100 day schedule. Has anyone else experienced this? The stress and worry about doing well on the MCAT and getting into medical school is really affecting me. I've burst into tears twice in the last 3 days and I'm encapsulated by fear and doubt of not becoming a doctor. I guess I'm just looking for someone that can relate and provide some words of encouragement. Thanks in advance.

It is a stressful test. Like very stressful. When I started studying for the exam I felt a lot of anxiety as well. You really just have to push through it. Just remember that thousands of people have done it before you so it is possible. Everything works out.

 

[frosted2]

Might be an unpopular opinion, but if you just finished undergrad, TREAT YO SELF! You just accomplished what some people never will. Even if you start prepping in January, you can sit for the MCAT in March and have your scores back in time to apply.

Crack a cold one and take a breather. Med school isn't going anywhere.

EDIT: Look at it this way... you've got 2 months to do light research on what study plan might work best for you. PM me if you need to talk/vent. Life can be stressful, and it is nice to have friends who are in the same boat as you

 

[PapaGuava]

hello all,
This is my first post on studentdoctor. Im 24 and just graduated undergrad yesterday, and I'm wanting to start my MCAT prep. I plan on doing the 100 day SN2ED and MCATjelly study plan. However, every time I sit down to prep, I lose concentration, get overwhelmed, and get stressed out. I'm wondering if I should take a break before starting the 100 day schedule. Has anyone else experienced this? The stress and worry about doing well on the MCAT and getting into medical school is really affecting me. I've burst into tears twice in the last 3 days and I'm encapsulated by fear and doubt of not becoming a doctor. I guess I'm just looking for someone that can relate and provide some words of encouragement. Thanks in advance.

At first, the amount of preparation and material seems daunting which is understandable because it is a task everyone must complete in order to get accepted into a medical school. However, the biggest advice I can give you is to break up the preparation time and start off slowly. I know I began with content review in order to get my feet wet, then I took a diagnostic exam to see where I felt the most cold content wise for the MCAT. This will help give you an indication on where you need to focus most of your content review, then the rest of the time in your studying regime should be practicing questions and utilizing practice exams as you get comfortable with the content.

To put it simply, don't force yourself into a study plan if it doesn't work for you because at the end of the day we are all different in how we embark on the MCAT studying journey haha. Whatever you need to do in order to become successful is what you need to follow.