Med school induced ADD

[SocialistMD]

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So, today we had our biochemistry block exam. Forty-five minutes into the exam (the total time it took me to take our first block exam), I looked down and saw that I had only answered 8 of the 50 questions on the exam. I am a biochem major and the material, while extensive, was nothing I really didn't know. I was just unable to focus to pay attention to what the questions were asking. I literally read questions 1-3 fifteen times each.

I eventually recovered and answered all of the questions, but it really made me wonder. This morning I was completely unable to focus on my studies. I went to school and found the rest of my class was pretty much in the same boat. Has anyone else had any experience like this? It is the first time it has ever happened to me and I seriously thought I was losing my mind.

Those of you with ADD, I have a new understanding of your condition.

 

[Vader]

Yeah, I think many of us also have had a similar experience. Are you going for hours on end studying without a break? Do you make sure to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and get some sleep the night before the exam? I've found that these basic things become extremely important in maintaining good health (and sanity) during the bombardment of material in medical school.

 

[Cobragirl]

Socialist...I'm in the same boat. I have my 2nd block exam (the practical portion) tomorrow and for some reason, I have completely LOST the head and neck (major portion of the exam!) Last week I knew the cranial nerve innervations COLD...now all I can seem to remember is some of the "exceptions"(i.e.-Chorda Tympani)...I can't remember the REGULAR innervations! Who innervates the palatoglossus again???

I'm actually taking a break right now (that's why I'm here!) hoping that maybe it'll come back to me before the night is over. I think I'm going to drop anatomy for the night and work on some histo...

and we're on a 74 is failing scale....

 

[lilycat]

Originally posted by Cobragirl:
•

and we're on a 74 is failing scale....•

I feel your pain Cobragirl -- our cut-off for a pass is 80. 😡

 

[guardian]

Don't be looking for sympathy if the end result was fine.

 

[paisley1]

I'm still not in medical school but the EXACT same thing happened to me during my Biophysical Chemistry class two semesters ago. I knew that material down pat--had done extremeley well all semester long--but when it came to the final, I just couldn't think. This final happened to be the very last one in a string of finals and I guess I had just burned out. Nice to know that I'm not losing my mind or anything 😉 .

 

[SocialistMD]

Originally posted by guardian:
•Don't be looking for sympathy if the end result was fine.•

I was not looking for sympathy, I was just curious as to if it is a "normal" phenomenon or if it was just me and my friends.

Cobragirl- That same thing happened to me; I completely drew a blank on the pharynx. Luckily, I passed.

 

[Cobragirl]

Yeah, I this semester thinking "oh, I'd like to stay in the top 1/3 of the class"...now I'm just happy if I pass the exams! Glad I didn't set my sights too high...would have been a long way to fall! 😉

 

[vietcongs]

palatoglossus, innervated by the cervical plexus (IX X XI)

 

[vietcongs]

oops..i meant pharyngeal plexus