Hey guys, I'm halfway through my MS1 year and I am burning out. We have an exam in a few days and I just don't care. I almost failed the last exam despite putting in the effort and I am sure I will be close to not passing this one either. I feel like even if I'm working hard, I'm just barely scraping by, and it honestly sucks to be consistently below average. Coming back from winter break, I really wanted to drop out of school. All I can think of is taking a few days (weeks) off but that's not really an option. I stopped studying with friends because even group study was too much for me. I feel demotivated, weak, and embarrassed about myself for wanting to give up, I've never felt so discouraged before. Do you guys have advice? If I'm struggling this hard in first year, how am I gonna make it through MS2-4 and beyond?
MS1 burn out
- Thread starter cup
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2014
- Messages
- 513
- Reaction score
- 460
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2016
- Messages
- 101
- Reaction score
- 68
Please note that you are not alone in this, and very likely you also have fellow classmates who are experiencing similar feelings. Oftentimes medical school is hardest at the beginning when you are trying to adjust to a new environment and new set of expectations. Please do seek counseling as the professionals there are often very good at helping people to get through difficult times. You deserve to feel good about yourself no matter what career you choose.
- Joined
- May 29, 2015
- Messages
- 2,433
- Reaction score
- 6,401
It's not med school if a day doesn't go by and you're not asking why you did this and that dropping out is easier.
Theres huge ups and downs. You can talk to school counselors or find out what your problem is. I go through similar things and my problem becomes just starting to actually study but once I do its fine. So I know what I need to do to get straight. See if you can find a similar trigger to help you get back on track.
Theres huge ups and downs. You can talk to school counselors or find out what your problem is. I go through similar things and my problem becomes just starting to actually study but once I do its fine. So I know what I need to do to get straight. See if you can find a similar trigger to help you get back on track.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2015
- Messages
- 28
- Reaction score
- 18
I went through the exact same thing last year and ended up taking a LOA due to it. I know exactly what you're going through. The above posters are absolutely spot on, seek out help now before you get too behind in studying. I wish that I had instead of waiting until it was too late. Its good that you recognized the signs already. Do you exercise or do any physical activity regularly? I know for me it was the physical inactivity and social isolation that really contributed to my burn out/disengagement. I know its hard to fit it in with the study schedule but a little regular exercise every now and then to get your blood flowing a bit could do wonders for the morale even if it feels like there is no time for it. Feel free to PM me if you want, you are not the only one who feels this way.
Thank you everyone for your replies. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who's had this experience; I kept looking around me and thinking that everyone except me was working really hard, had a ton a friends, and were totally on top of things. I emailed the school psychologist to set up a meeting, and hopefully will get back on track soon. In the mean time, trying to push through this exam. Cheers, all.
D
deleted480308
you have only begun to burn.... that's the bad news
Good news is literally almost everyone feels the same way and almost all of us get through school. Some just hide it better. Go talk to the mental health team, you can do this
Good news is literally almost everyone feels the same way and almost all of us get through school. Some just hide it better. Go talk to the mental health team, you can do this
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2015
- Messages
- 789
- Reaction score
- 2,846
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2010
- Messages
- 75,138
- Reaction score
- 120,722
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2011
- Messages
- 1,061
- Reaction score
- 238
great advice above. agree 100%. we all feel down some days. the medical profession is tough.
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2014
- Messages
- 6,004
- Reaction score
- 4,360
I am going thru the same thing as MS2 now, but the good new is that I will be done with basic science in 3 months... Med school is soul crushing!
Hang in there dude!
Hang in there dude!
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2016
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 11
Graduating MS4.
Look friend, as everyone said, we all go through this to some degree. During parts of pre-clinicals, studying for a huge exam, I used to sit on my couch in my office upstairs and fantasize about jumping off my balcony. Often. The amount of stuff we needed to know sometimes made me feel so frustrated I could feel it in my gut. When I was an MS1 a graduating student told me the best advice for pre-clinical years that I can remember: "You'll have no idea how you did it..but you'll get through it." I can earnestly state that advice is just...true.
You're gonna make it. Keep chipping away at it. Suck it up (said with tough love). Do talk to someone if you need support or feel depressed.
Look friend, as everyone said, we all go through this to some degree. During parts of pre-clinicals, studying for a huge exam, I used to sit on my couch in my office upstairs and fantasize about jumping off my balcony. Often. The amount of stuff we needed to know sometimes made me feel so frustrated I could feel it in my gut. When I was an MS1 a graduating student told me the best advice for pre-clinical years that I can remember: "You'll have no idea how you did it..but you'll get through it." I can earnestly state that advice is just...true.
You're gonna make it. Keep chipping away at it. Suck it up (said with tough love). Do talk to someone if you need support or feel depressed.
