Motivation

[Bobby Fischer]

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My test date is 6.5 weeks away. I feel like I really should be putting my study routine into 5th gear and hitting the nitrous but I seem to be stuck in 1st.

Any ideas?

I can't seem to get to that stage where my nervousness motivates me to become fully engaged with the preparation process.

I finish each day wishing I had spent 12 hours fully engaged and realize that I am disappointed because I only spent about 3 or so hours sort of poking around.

I'm definitely falling behind the schedule I laid out 2 weeks ago.

 

[jeffity]

What's the hold up? Just lazy (only word I can think of right now)? Or are there distractions? What else do you find yourself doing besides hitting the books?

 

[n27s]

Have you actually registered for the day yet? That motivated me more than anything

 

[ballyhoo]

:/ ugh. That's exactly how I felt! I had all of these plans, but didn't end up actually seriously studying 3 weeks before my exam. BAD bad idea.

I have my test in two days and am struggling to finish the rest of the Destroyer problems, qVault, Achiever, while reading up on as much Bio as possible .. it's not fun, at all, especially since the DAT is so important, and I don't want to take it 3 months from now, in October 😵;!

One thing that might work is if you check on SDN a lot - I know that seeing all of these people do so well on their DATs motivated me to do just as well! I tried to imagine what it would feel to actually get some of these scores, and whew, I really, really want that.

If that seems too far off, consider taking one practice exam per week (until you are fully prepared to take just practice exams). Maybe on a Saturday or something. And if you don't do too well, that might motivate you. If you do well, then it could motivate you to get an even higher score? Hm, I'd say do Achiever since it's hard to get above a 20 on the sciences there. Aim for a 20+, even if that seems like a longshot.

Finally, prepare for each weekly exam like it's your actual exam! I know that one week before my exam, I hit panic mode and started to get 10x more productive. I wish I had that mindset every week ... so perhaps this could help?

Just my 2 cents 🙂

 

[voager]

what helped me was registring for my DAT...keeping calendar infront of me and threatening myself that I won't change my exam date no matter what.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

I started this thread because I just know that I am not alone. Perhaps the solutions that surface in this thread might help others who are also struggling with this as well.

My thoughts in red below:

What's the hold up? Just lazy (only word I can think of right now)?
Lazy is the right word.

Its like I feel like if I like playing football (analagous to dentistry) and I showed up to practice everyday only to have the coach make me practice the 100 yard dash with hurdles...I would start to associate the thought of showing up to practice with tedium/ disgust/ dread/ unpleasantries.

Also, I struggle with the idea of so much time and effort being invested in something with no guaranteed return on investment.

Or are there distractions?
None, 25% of the day is spent studying, 25% of the day spent taking 'breaks' surfing the net, 50% of the day worrying about why I am not studying.
What else do you find yourself doing besides hitting the books?
see above

Additional feedback welcommed...

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Have you actually registered for the day yet? That motivated me more than anything

Good idea. Yes. Registering for the actual day seemed to give me a little boost a couple of weeks ago...with the exam 6.5 weeks away this effect has since worn off.

 

[StudyALot]

Ugh, I feel what your feeling! Somedays, no matter what I try, nothing sticks in my head and I get so frustrated. Before you study or when you wake up in the morning try listening to some short motivational speeches. I really liked this one by Arnold. Also, while studying I find certain music really hits the spot. Try 8tracks and looking for studying music(instrumental w/o words works for me).

 

[Bobby Fischer]

:/ ugh. That's exactly how I felt! I had all of these plans, but didn't end up actually seriously studying 3 weeks before my exam. BAD bad idea.

I have my test in two days and am struggling to finish the rest of the Destroyer problems, qVault, Achiever, while reading up on as much Bio as possible .. it's not fun, at all, especially since the DAT is so important, and I don't want to take it 3 months from now, in October 😵;!

One thing that might work is if you check on SDN a lot - I know that seeing all of these people do so well on their DATs motivated me to do just as well! I tried to imagine what it would feel to actually get some of these scores, and whew, I really, really want that.

If that seems too far off, consider taking one practice exam per week (until you are fully prepared to take just practice exams). Maybe on a Saturday or something. And if you don't do too well, that might motivate you. If you do well, then it could motivate you to get an even higher score? Hm, I'd say do Achiever since it's hard to get above a 20 on the sciences there. Aim for a 20+, even if that seems like a longshot.

Finally, prepare for each weekly exam like it's your actual exam! I know that one week before my exam, I hit panic mode and started to get 10x more productive. I wish I had that mindset every week ... so perhaps this could help?

Just my 2 cents 🙂

Good ideas.

I hear you saying:

Idea 1. Get absorbed into the process. (e.g. frequent SDN)

Idea 2. Visualize success. Maybe I could make this a formal part of becomming more fully immersed in the prep process by taking 5 minutes in the beginning and middle of my day to sit and meditate about this vision of leaving the testing center with 20+ in each division (my personal goal).

Idea 3. Start the practice exams. I had told myself I would send 6 weeks doing general content review, 2 weeks practing destroyer, and then the last 4 weeks doing practice exams. Perhaps I am being too rigid. Maybe I need to just dive in with both feet into some practice exams (anything but Achiever at first!😉)

you said, "I know that one week before my exam, I hit panic mode and started to get 10x more productive. I wish I had that mindset every week"

EXACTLY. I just know that this is the way it always seems to work out and I really, really desire to avoid this. I really, really want to be able to say one week before the exam, 'I am sure glad I had the mindset of being 10x as productive as I normally am 6.5 weeks before my test'

 

[Bobby Fischer]

what helped me was registring for my DAT...keeping calendar infront of me and threatening myself that I won't change my exam date no matter what.

I scheduled mine with about a 2 week 'oh shizzle I'd better pull the eject handle!' window wherein I'll reschedule to put it off 2 weeks if I need to.

Perhaps in the back of my mind I am sabotaging myself because I know I have an escape plan (though an additional 2 weeks isn't exactly an escape)

Interesting...

Ideally I could figure out how to get my consciousness to believe the DAT were a big hungy rabid grizzly bear chasing me down from this very moment through 6.5 weeks from now.

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Ugh, I feel what your feeling! Somedays, no matter what I try, nothing sticks in my head and I get so frustrated. Before you study or when you wake up in the morning try listening to some short motivational speeches. I really liked this one by Arnold. Also, while studying I find certain music really hits the spot. Try 8tracks and looking for studying music(instrumental w/o words works for me).

Great Ideas:

Certain Music.

Short Motivational Speeches

(as an aside, the problem I have with Ahh-rnie is everytime I hear him speak these days I see the face of his ex-wife who he cheated on and I just can't trust anything he says. Good video though, I 'll try to imagine its someone else who is giving the particular advice)

 

[TailorMade]

You could also try compartmentalizing your studying. Pick one room that you don't go in unless it's for studying. When you go into this room, only bring study materials! Maybe not even music, if that can distract you.

If you have a Mac I know my friend downloaded some program that prevents you from going to whatever websites you indicate (Facebook, reddit, etc...) for however many hours you designate, even if you restart your computer!

Exercising works for me too, whenever I'm getting in shape it's like positive feedback and makes me want to be more productive. Good luck, you'll find the motivation!

 

[Kratoz24x]

Exact same situation. I wanna start killing everything but I can't pull my self to do anything. The last couple of days I haven't even done anything useful. I'm plannin to take an early practice test in a week. That kinda jump started me again. I'm plannin to take my DAT in about 6 weeks as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsSC2vx7zFQ

This kinda helped me in the beginning. Maybe it'll help you guys

 

[ballyhoo]

Good ideas.

I hear you saying:

Idea 1. Get absorbed into the process. (e.g. frequent SDN)

Idea 2. Visualize success. Maybe I could make this a formal part of becomming more fully immersed in the prep process by taking 5 minutes in the beginning and middle of my day to sit and meditate about this vision of leaving the testing center with 20+ in each division (my personal goal).

Idea 3. Start the practice exams. I had told myself I would send 6 weeks doing general content review, 2 weeks practing destroyer, and then the last 4 weeks doing practice exams. Perhaps I am being too rigid. Maybe I need to just dive in with both feet into some practice exams (anything but Achiever at first!😉)

you said, "I know that one week before my exam, I hit panic mode and started to get 10x more productive. I wish I had that mindset every week"

EXACTLY. I just know that this is the way it always seems to work out and I really, really desire to avoid this. I really, really want to be able to say one week before the exam, 'I am sure glad I had the mindset of being 10x as productive as I normally am 6.5 weeks before my test'

Yes, don't be like me!! I regret it so much right now. And even now, I'm kind of thinking, "Am I really going to go up drastically in points just by studying two days before?" Ack.

I would say don't dive into the practice exams as like, a main study tool. Of course go through the answers, but use it as a sort of benchmark. I think qVault is great for that, since hey have ten tests! If you do one per week, you still won't have time to finish all of them!

I think that you should study for four weeks, take a practice exam once or twice a week to gauge how you are doing, and write the scores all down!! It definitely helps to see an upward trend. That always motivates me more 🙂

And do CDP tests separately as you are doing qVault! And then the last two weeks I'd go through Destroyer, Achiever (maybe just 3 - 5 lol), and Topscore.

At least, that would have been my ideal schedule had I been more productive ... :/

 

[znny19]

I don't mean to sound rude or anything but if you want a good score you need to put in the time. Personally, my motivation was that if I did not study I would not get into dental school simple as that. I thought about it like this, suffer these couple of months/weeks rock that DAT, and then you are set to pursue your dreams and make bank 😀. Worked for me LOL. Good Luck

 

[diene]

My test date is 6.5 weeks away. I feel like I really should be putting my study routine into 5th gear and hitting the nitrous but I seem to be stuck in 1st.

Any ideas?

I can't seem to get to that stage where my nervousness motivates me to become fully engaged with the preparation process.

I finish each day wishing I had spent 12 hours fully engaged and realize that I am disappointed because I only spent about 3 or so hours sort of poking around.

I'm definitely falling behind the schedule I laid out 2 weeks ago.

The best motivation is asking yourself "DO I WANT TO THIS AGAIN?" Every time I wanted to give up/felt lazy, I freaked out myself by saying that I would have to take the DAT again. Also, I think 6.5 weeks is still a long time. When you hit 3 weeks, the panic mode will set in and you will force yourself to do crazy hours of studying (unless you really don't care 😉)
Best of luck!

 

[Heller123]

I felt the same way when I first started studying. What will help is if you register for the exam (like what everyone above me has insisted on), clear away from ALL distractions (meaning DEACTIVATE YOUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER, IE ALL SOCIAL NETWORKING) and delete all the apps on your phone. Stay away from your TV and let your friends know that over the next two months all you are available to do is study.
good luck!

 

[dental24]

Ive had motivational problems too! Best way to get back on track is:
1. CAFFEINE
2. LOOK AT SDN with ppl posting their scores!
3. Think about having to reapply and waste another year if you procrastinate.

Good luck

 

[Impulse155]

Im in the same boat
Im 3.5 weeks away from mine
Took a dat q vault chem/orgo/bio and got a 18/24/18 🙁
I need to pull my chem and bio up 2 points each to be solid
Its too nice out and after my spring semester + graduating I just dont want to do this anymroe lol

 

[Muggs]

I feel like wanting to do well on it would be enough motivation for me.

 

[datdental]

Ive had motivational problems too! Best way to get back on track is:
1. CAFFEINE
2. LOOK AT SDN with ppl posting their scores!
3. Think about having to reapply and waste another year if you procrastinate.

Sounds like myself last year except #3 was more like imaging myself as a dentist who loves going to work every day and 🙄 picturing how my own dental practice will be like 😍

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Bump. Today has started off better. Got to bed earlier (about 9:30pm) last night, woke up at 5 am this morning, hit the books first thing (after investing the first 5 minutes in visualizing myself walking out of the testing center with 20+ in each section). Been studying about 50% of the time so far today...better than the 25% that has been the usual. Less internet surfing. Definitely more motivation today. I hope I can keep it up and even increase my motivation the next 6+ weeks ~positive feedback style (labor contractions/ the opening of Na+ channels during an action potential/ sexual orgasm)!

Great suggestions for staying motivated so far everybody! Keep them coming if you have any more!😀

 

[snikkaz]

Bump. Today has started off better. Got to bed earlier (about 9:30pm) last night, woke up at 5 am this morning, hit the books first thing (after investing the first 5 minutes in visualizing myself walking out of the testing center with 20+ in each section). Been studying about 50% of the time so far today...better than the 25% that has been the usual. Less internet surfing. Definitely more motivation today. I hope I can keep it up and even increase my motivation the next 6+ weeks ~positive feedback style (labor contractions/ the opening of Na+ channels during an action potential/ sexual orgasm)!

Great suggestions for staying motivated so far everybody! Keep them coming if you have any more!😀

6.5 wks is plenty of time.... That being said, do you know how valuable your time is right now? 12 hours a day and only 3 hours productive is terrible, no offense. You need some hardcore glue, squirt it on your chair, and sit on it. Then study.

If that doesn't work, lay a stack of 100's in front of you. Think of how many more stacks you can accumulate if you kill the DAT. For fun, imagine how many more stacks you can build on and around that stack, and visualize them to practice your PAT ability.

 

[yappy]

Just wanted to point out how long 3 weeks can be in terms of these tests like the DAT. What I mean is that you can accomplish a lot if you're motivated. If you put in 8 hrs /day for 3 weeks you should be able to go through destroyer a few times along with doing math destroyer test per day. Add in a CDP test and a bio chapter and you're set.

Don't get too stressed; realize you can do it if you put in the time. A caution - there is also studying too long IMO - where you will begin to forget things or get too comfortable/lazy with the materials and problems. There is a maximum you will reach where you've peaked. This is because the materials for the DAT are often times harder than the actual test and as you continue to study them you will also begin to forget older simpler information while mastering the small yield problems like that obscure reaction only found in Organic chemistry odyssey.

The DAT focuses on basics. Master those (chad is a good resource) and you'll be G!

 

[ushaseos]

Have you tried slowly ramping up the amount of work you put in each day?

I started working few hours each day, but as the test got closer I spent more and more time to study. A lot of times people have these unrealistic expectations of "I'll start something today and spend 12 hours doing it". Its a good thought, but not practical. If you're doing only 3 hours each day, slowly increase that to 5 over the course of a week. As you get closer to your test, the motivation comes naturally anyway so it becomes easy to increase the number of hours you put in each day.

In the beginning you might even want to concentrate more on the things you like. Basically make studying as fun as possible for now - for me that was QR, OC and Bio. You can get into the tedious, challenging portions when you have the motivation - for me that was RC and PAT. If something is challenging already, you'll need 100% focus to actually improve. Attempting to do it sooner, will not help because you will either be demotivated even more due to the difficulty or you'll get frustrated due to lack of improvement in your practice scores.

 

[MuskieMan33]

I have a 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper with block letters that say "22 DAT AA" hanging above my desk. I know its sounds dumb, but I put it there to remind me why I sit down and put myself through this misery at my desk every day. I probably don't need it, but I think it helps me stay focused. I'll start to get side tracked, see it hanging up there, and then realize if I was out farting around like all my friends do in the summer that 22AA won't happen. 22 is actually a little higher than what I'd be happy with, but I put 22 because its a possibility but if I come in shy at 20 or 21 I'd still be satisfied.

I just think these kind of little reminders help me stay on track. Kind of how I just drop in at my dentist office to say hey and see how things are. Being there reminds me that that is what I want. It's like the biweekly positive reinforcement in the form of a check at a job!

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Bump.

Test date now 6 weeks away from tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice so far, everybody. Lots of help.

The last few days have been better, but still have room for improvement.

Since I started this thread and have been using your advice, I've goen up to about 50% of my day to studying, about 6 hours a day. I hope I start to realize more and more that I only have 6 weeks to go now and I can increase steadily to 75% of my day studying (9 hours) and eventually in a week or so to 12 hours/day (100%).

I think things are starting to click. Its been about 2 straight months now where I've been not letting a day go by without studying about 3 hours.

Keep the advice coming, if anyone has anything to add!

 

[vlaura0214]

I was the same way, and now my test is less than a month away. D:

My first step was to deactivate my facebook because I would get bored and just surf fb and youtube, but SDN has become my new unhealthy substitute for facebook. I check this site often, but it is actually benefiting me. Anytime someone posts a problem up on the forums, esp. GC problems. I will take the time to work it out. I check for study resources, etc.

Also changing my study environment from my room to the college library really helped. At home, I would just end up falling back into my bed and sleeping. haha I shadow a few days out of the week too, so that really pushes me not to mess up my DAT because I've already told my dentist I'm taking it. I would be so embarrassed to tell him I didn't do well. x_x

Just register for the DAT, make a tentative study calender, and check the tasks off on a daily basis! Good luck on your studying. 🙂

 

[toothfairy19]

I was the exact same way when I was studying for mine (I took my test last Thursday).

I think it really hit me about 3 weeks before the test because before that I was just reading the books to review the information and wasn't really doing any practice tests. But if you're like me, it helps to study for 2 hours and then take a little break and then go back and study for another 2 hours. I also bought crack dat pat and did that after dinner as a slow way to ease myself back into studying at nights.
doing practice problems from the destroyer is also a nice way cause I would lose track of time doing the problems and that helped.

I also deactivated my facebook and basically cut myself off from a social life for 4 weeks and so my friends knew I wasn't available so there were no temptations to go out or anything.

Also I kept thinking about how if I didn't get the scores I wanted the first time how I would have to study all over again, so I decided to be a hermit for 4 hard weeks rather than half-ass it for 3 more months!

 

[Bobby Fischer]

I am now a little more than 5 weeks away from test day!

In the last several days since I started this thread my motivation has picked up quite a bit. Thanks to everyone who has chimed in on this thread so far. Keep the ideas coming!👍

I am probably going on an average of about 8 hours per day now, split between Bio, Chem and QR.

My plan going forward is:

-continue to try and increase daily time studying up to 12 hours/ day

-complete my 'general and detailed conceptual review' of Bio, Gen Chem, Organic Chem, and QR by this time next week. So far this has taken me about 6 weeks of solid effort.

-I don't have to practice much more on PAT, I feel confident with this section as I have been mastering Crack PAT software and techniques over the last 4 months. My scores on PAT have gone something like 16, 18, 20, 24, 27 when I have taken the timed tests.

-by this time next week I want to be starting on tackling all of Destroyer. I suppose I ought to put in at least 2 hours/day for each section, i.e. Bio, Gen Chem, Organic, and QR. Perhaps I can get this done in 1.5 weeks?

-that will leave me with 2.5 weeks for the final stage of preparation which is taking practice exams. I plan on using QVault because I have heard such good things about it, also Topscore and perhaps Achiever, and of course the obligatory 2007 and 2009 ADA practice exams.

I REALLY WISH I WOULD HURRY UP. I CAN SEE MYSELF RUNNING OUT OF TIME AND THEN PUTTING TEST DAY OFF FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS.

ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO SPEED MYSELF UP*? (outside of drugs legal or otherwise; I generally avoid caffeine as well)

 

[wcombs]

Honestly, it was so hard. I just got up every day and forced myself to crawl into my desk with no computer. Just books, and wouldn't let myself escape. It felt like torture some days. I studied at least 8 hours a day for 8 weeks straight and only took 2 days off. I have a low cGPA so doing well on the DAT was my only chance at getting in, so I told myself that every day.

What's really bad is that I took my DAT in May and I'm still burned out. I have two classes this summer and can not for the life of me study for them until the day before my exams.

All I can say is just do it. It's so much easier said than done but in a few weeks you'll look back and be so happy.

 

[MuskieMan33]

I know what you mean about the caffeine, the more I have the more it makes me anxious and stressed out I think. But I think a little in moderation is great! I try to limit myself to 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning. Or in the afternoon or at night I'll drink some green tea. It seems like its enough caffeine to put me in the zone but not go overboard. That's just me though, it could all just be in my head and actually have no bearing on my ability to focus. haha. Who knows!

 

[Bobby Fischer]

Update on my personal quest for motivation.

I am up to approximately 9 hours/day at this point. Exam 32 days (4.5 weeks) away 😱

Thanks again to all who have contributed to this thread.🙂

 

[acoburn73]

Update on my personal quest for motivation.

I am up to approximately 9 hours/day at this point. Exam 32 days (4.5 weeks) away 😱

Thanks again to all who have contributed to this thread.🙂

Hate to revive this thread, but I'm having the same issue - motivation. I do have plenty of distractions:

- I work full time 8-5 every day as an engineer.

- I have a wife that is almost 6-months pregnant that needs my time.

- I have great pre-requisite GPA, but my final engineering degree GPA isn't good (and by not good, I mean sub-2.8 not good), so I constantly worry that no matter what my personal statement says, how awesome my shadowing, volunteer time and career achievements look, or no matter massively high I can score on the DAT, all the studying may not be worth it. I am shooting for the stars - an AA of 25 - to overcome my GPA deficiency.

- I have a quick trigger-finger when watching Chad's and doing CDP practice in going over to the internet for a quick "break".

Much like Bobby has, I'm having issues focusing. However, unlike Bobby, I have 3 months until test day. And, I don't have all day to study - just ~3-4 hours each night and maybe 4-5 on Sunday nights.

Bobby or any other person - how do you get beyond the funk and get moving? Especially with distractions?

 

[ryansgs]

Look at this test like its your last chance and messing it up will mean you will be poor. Do what I did. Take walks in questionable/ghetto neighborhoods and think to yourself "would you like to live with these people under these nasty conditions?"

Simply visiting these areas once or twice a week gave me MUCH more motivation than I ever needed to succeed.

I was also very hard on myself, I considered getting anything I deemed below what I was willing to accept as a sign that I am a low quality human with little genetic worth and I deserve my fate of suffering in the slums with the rest of society's failures and degenerates.

I aimed for a 26 and was willing to accept at least a 23. Got a 24 :/ lower than what I wanted but good enough to apply with.

Family is also a strong motivation to succeed. How your child's life turns out may very well hinge on your success on the DAT.

 

[acoburn73]

Look at this test like its your last chance and messing it up will mean you will be poor. Do what I did. Take walks in questionable/ghetto neighborhoods and think to yourself "would you like to live with these people under these nasty conditions?"

Simply visiting these areas once or twice a week gave me MUCH more motivation than I ever needed to succeed.

I was also very hard on myself, I considered getting anything I deemed below what I was willing to accept as a sign that I am a low quality human with little genetic worth and I deserve my fate of suffering in the slums with the rest of society's failures and degenerates.

I aimed for a 26 and was willing to accept at least a 23. Got a 24 :/ lower than what I wanted but good enough to apply with.

Family is also a strong motivation to succeed. How your child's life turns out may very well hinge on your success on the DAT.

Ok, thanks for the input. However, I'm already making 6 figures as an engineer (as is my wife), so the advice to stroll through a poor neighborhood may not be a good motivator for me. I do like the "how it affects my child's life", because currently we're strapped to a corporate life with few flexibilities, whereas in dentistry, we would both be much more free to go as we please to see and be a more active part in our child's activities.

I know many of you younger SDN'ers will be mystified as to why on earth I would leave a solid, well-paying career for new debt and stress. I am simply looking for something I enjoy doing - engineering no longer excites me, and I know I like dentistry (I've shadowed a LOT over the years). I am also looking for freedom from the chains of the corporate world (e.g., working for "the man"). The problem is, staying focused and hammering this material back into my head after so many years is proving difficult! I blame the internet! 🙂

 

[ryansgs]

Ok, thanks for the input. However, I'm already making 6 figures as an engineer (as is my wife), so the advice to stroll through a poor neighborhood may not be a good motivator for me. I do like the "how it affects my child's life", because currently we're strapped to a corporate life with few flexibilities, whereas in dentistry, we would both be much more free to go as we please to see and be a more active part in our child's activities.

I know many of you younger SDN'ers will be mystified as to why on earth I would leave a solid, well-paying career for new debt and stress. I am simply looking for something I enjoy doing - engineering no longer excites me, and I know I like dentistry (I've shadowed a LOT over the years). I am also looking for freedom from the chains of the corporate world (e.g., working for "the man"). The problem is, staying focused and hammering this material back into my head after so many years is proving difficult! I blame the internet! 🙂

Maybe this then---

Think of all the boring and dreadful nonsense your corporate chain job puts you through. HR meetings, having to explain why you were 6 minutes late to work, being stuck in traffic at 8:30 am and again at 5:30, having to call sick with a phony excuse when you want a day off, being stuck in a space with people you would never consent to being around outside of work, too many work hours per day and whatever else that is relevant for you.

You need a reason for success.

Cut distractions out, multitasking is killer for your focus. Since you have the means you can buy yourself a new laptop and dedicate it solely for studying the DAT. This is a shortcut. You have too many bad habits with your current computer and if you don't want to take the time (which can be quick or long depending on your personality) to undo all the bad habits you accumulated I suggest you get a new one and build up new habits from scratch on it.

Put in the time now, so you can get out of the restrictive 9 to 5 job and enjoy the 12-5 job like the dentist I shadow does. Who btw isn't tired when he gets home and has the energy to play with his three kids.

Or you can do the alternative and just stay in the job you clearly dislike and in all likelihood probably even hate. Suffer silently, working away in your office making the "man" richer off your labor while he slowly kills your soul. Yes I'm being a little dramatic right now, but you won't feel that way when you burn yourself out in a few years.

How bad do you want to be a dentist? If its really bad then focusing shouldn't be a problem, unless you're ADHD or something.

You've gone through this process with engineering before why can't you do it again for dental.


my bad if what I'm saying is a little jumbled its very late here, Im beat and have a cold.

 

[ekephant]

It's tough but you really have to dedicate all your free time to studying. That means denying your social life or personal time, except with your family of course. You really have to schedule some of your own time to sit down at a quiet place (like a library) and buckle down. If you study with a laptop, you could use some browser add-ons/extensions to disable certain websites at certain times (like no facebook, youtube, etc. from 12-6pm or whatever you set as your study schedule). I personally found a lot of the biology review very interesting because I was gaining a deeper understanding of myself and how my body worked (even though I already kind of learned it all before at one time or another). Once you get into the groove you should be fine. I'll end this with one of my favorite motivational quotes: "When you feel like quitting, think about why you started."

Good luck with everything!