Need motivation to get through DAT

[toothteethtooth]

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Hello Dear SDners,

I hope you all are doing well. I am incredibly thankful for SDN as it has given me the much needed guidance and advice for my admissions journey to dental school. A little back ground about my self: I am sort of a non-trad student who finished her master's program back in Aug 2016. I am married with a 2 year old and a household to run. I have attempted DAT exam once before but got an average score. Therefore, my goal is to re-take the DAT and get a score above 21 . I am determined to apply this cycle to several dental schools. I have a 3.6 overall gpa (both undergrad and grad combined). My study pattern for any exam is where I need to study very hard and long in order to get the grades I want. I am not a natural genius by no means. When I took my DAT the first time, I only got to seriously study for a month (Too many childcare/baby sitting issues) However, since July 2016, I have been trying to actively study for DAT. I have delayed my exam several times as life events kept happening where I would have to postpone my DAT studying temporarily and attend to matters at hand. For instance, my daughter started daycare in May, so I could finish my thesis and later study for DAT full time, however she kept falling sick so frequently that it really disturbed my studying rhythm. On top of that, I run the whole household so there is little time left for studying once I pick up my kid from daycare. Hubby does help in every way he can, but he works full time and is giving me the opportunity to make my dreams come true, so I try to do as much house work as possible myself. Overall, taking care of a child, a house, preparing meals, laundry and trying to live life a sane life has really slowed down the studying. I expected to really get done from my DAT last October 2016, but was not able to do so. Things go to the point where I had to take a month off (Dec) to keep my daughter out of daycare due to back to back illness.

I decided to start fresh in 2017 with the goal that I am giving my self the month of January to get through DAT destroyer and Math Destroyer and review all of my biology. I will also try to take 2 practice test before the end of the month. However, lately, I am having trouble staying focused on studying and have been procrastinating studying for DAT a lot. It's come to the point where I think I may have a youtube or TV watching addiction because I am so afraid that I am just not cut out for this kind of studying game anymore. (I am 25). I am confident that I want to go to dental school and have been dedicated to my dreams for too long. However, I feel that when I procrastinate for too long, the fire to study for DAT and getting into dental school slows down. Can any one give me any encouraging words, advice or any suggestion so that I can hop on the wagon and get successful results in my DAT.

I am just so scared to talk to any one about this as I do not want family or friends to doubt my ambition. I feel that I just need a little help to stay motivated.

My plan is to take DAT by the end of March (sister's wedding coming in Feb for which I have to travel out of country). Once I am back in late Feb, I want to take exactly 3 weeks to complete all of DAT bootcamp's practice test with hopes to take the test in end of March. Once done from DAT, I plan to continue my dental shadowing and work on my personal statement with hopes to apply in June.

What do you think of my plan? Any other suggestions would be helpful! Please help!

 

[digzthis]

You will always have doubters when you are ambitious. I think you need more confidence and I think you need to make a declaration to yourself that you are cut out for this and you are going to do whatever it takes regardless of what anyone else thinks. This is your life and you control it. Everyone taking this test is going to have doubts and reservations, that is only human, but you cant let that control you. Watch this video and then get to work!!

 

[DC206R]

 

[Bingwen]

I am a stay at home father and I understand the plight that you are in. I also have been pushing really hard to study for my classes, be a stay at home dad, volunteer and study for the DAT. One thing that really helped me is that at 8pm my wife takes the little one and I focus solely on studying for 2 hours. She also helps me by policing me if I start to get distracted. She has been wonderful at helping me push myself to do well even on the days that I want to binge watch netflix or go to bed early. Having someone close whether it is your husband, a friend or someone on here who can keep you focused on you goal and moving toward goes a long way, at least it did for me. Good luck!!

 

[8_man]

 

[8_man]

But forreal, try not to think too far ahead (about your future and such), as you'll find it fairly easy to stack on the pressure and overwhelm yourself. Honestly, take it a step at a time. Only think about getting that 21+ on the DAT. Eyes on the prize, my friend.

 

[Life of Pablo]

What really helped motivate me was, as 8_man said, keeping the end goal in mind as I pushed myself to study. It's a LONG, HARD, and GRUELING process but once you take it and do well, YOU ARE DONE! Don't be afraid of letting people know about your goals/aspirations. It may even push you more to study because you've told people what you want to do. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!

 

[toothteethtooth]

Thank you to all my SDN family who replied. You guys are amazing and true inspiration. I love all the advice and it has really helped me to forget about every thing else and solely focus on that 21 on the DAT.
P.S. I have started on my destroyer BIO questions today, and plan to get done with them by the end of January 🙂 Excited!!!!

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Hello Dear SDners,

I hope you all are doing well. I am incredibly thankful for SDN as it has given me the much needed guidance and advice for my admissions journey to dental school. A little back ground about my self: I am sort of a non-trad student who finished her master's program back in Aug 2016. I am married with a 2 year old and a household to run. I have attempted DAT exam once before but got an average score. Therefore, my goal is to re-take the DAT and get a score above 21 . I am determined to apply this cycle to several dental schools. I have a 3.6 overall gpa (both undergrad and grad combined). My study pattern for any exam is where I need to study very hard and long in order to get the grades I want. I am not a natural genius by no means. When I took my DAT the first time, I only got to seriously study for a month (Too many childcare/baby sitting issues) However, since July 2016, I have been trying to actively study for DAT. I have delayed my exam several times as life events kept happening where I would have to postpone my DAT studying temporarily and attend to matters at hand. For instance, my daughter started daycare in May, so I could finish my thesis and later study for DAT full time, however she kept falling sick so frequently that it really disturbed my studying rhythm. On top of that, I run the whole household so there is little time left for studying once I pick up my kid from daycare. Hubby does help in every way he can, but he works full time and is giving me the opportunity to make my dreams come true, so I try to do as much house work as possible myself. Overall, taking care of a child, a house, preparing meals, laundry and trying to live life a sane life has really slowed down the studying. I expected to really get done from my DAT last October 2016, but was not able to do so. Things go to the point where I had to take a month off (Dec) to keep my daughter out of daycare due to back to back illness.

I decided to start fresh in 2017 with the goal that I am giving my self the month of January to get through DAT destroyer and Math Destroyer and review all of my biology. I will also try to take 2 practice test before the end of the month. However, lately, I am having trouble staying focused on studying and have been procrastinating studying for DAT a lot. It's come to the point where I think I may have a youtube or TV watching addiction because I am so afraid that I am just not cut out for this kind of studying game anymore. (I am 25). I am confident that I want to go to dental school and have been dedicated to my dreams for too long. However, I feel that when I procrastinate for too long, the fire to study for DAT and getting into dental school slows down. Can any one give me any encouraging words, advice or any suggestion so that I can hop on the wagon and get successful results in my DAT.

I am just so scared to talk to any one about this as I do not want family or friends to doubt my ambition. I feel that I just need a little help to stay motivated.

My plan is to take DAT by the end of March (sister's wedding coming in Feb for which I have to travel out of country). Once I am back in late Feb, I want to take exactly 3 weeks to complete all of DAT bootcamp's practice test with hopes to take the test in end of March. Once done from DAT, I plan to continue my dental shadowing and work on my personal statement with hopes to apply in June.

What do you think of my plan? Any other suggestions would be helpful! Please help!

1. Set concrete goals for your study session. Think in specific, achievable goals instead of vague generalities. ...
2. Reward yourself when you complete your goal. Think of a small way to reward yourself when you've met your goal. ...
3. Think of what you will achieve by studying.

 

[Ari Rezaei]

To start, I'd say everything you've done thus far is very impressive! Being a student, a wife, and a mother at the same time is certainly a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to rise to the occasion. Sometimes you may feel alone, but know that there are many other people just like you studying to get through this test, and if they can do it, so can you. Plus, dentistry is a really rewarding field 🙂

Some practical tips to help with procrastination, which I'm all too familiar with

First, you should have some sort of day to day schedule that will tell you exactly what you need to accomplish. Consider what other commitments you have during the week, and try to block off enough time to just focus on studying each day. Plan ahead and revise as needed. Be realistic with your goals.

To start the study session, do something easy. Do the DAT Question of the Day, answer a couple PAT generator questions, just the easiest/tiniest task you can come up with. This is an easy way to break procrastination, by convincing yourself to just do a tiny task, and then it gets easier to proceed to the other tasks.

Now that you're studying, try using the Pomodoro technique. The actual technique involves studying for 25 minutes on a set of material, taking a 3-5 minute break (just enough to go drink some water/get up and move around), and then studying for another 25 minutes. After 4 of these study sessions, you take a longer 15-20 minute break. I try to do around 45 minutes of studying with a 5 minute break, see what works best for you.

Some days, you just aren't going to feel like studying. You'll try to start doing something, but you'll find your mind wandering and unable to concentrate. That's totally normal. Here's what I recommend, take an hour break and sit somewhere else other than the desk you study at. Try not to spend the hour watching TV or going on your phone, I used to just sit outside the library and drink coffee. You don't want to reward yourself with entertainment during this time. When you're ready, go back to your desk and try to start by doing something easy again. This way, you don't procrastinate the entire day when you don't initially feel like studying. Try not to overuse this option, but you'll know when you need it.

Hope this is a little helpful. Keep up the studying and stay focused, the DAT is one of the last big hurdles before dental school. It all gets a little less stressful from here 😛

 

[super frank]

Legendary!

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Legendary!

🙂Love it, thanks! Sharing with my classroom students!

 

[toothteethtooth]

Thank you Ari and Dr. Romano, those are some gold suggestions. I am going to implement them in my study session from tomorrow. I am so thankful to you guys for helping me out this in this really overwhelming time 🙂 All you guys are amazing!

 

[toothteethtooth]

Update: I took the exam on Feb 1 and got a 20 AA. I know not too high, but I am feeling satisfied with the score! Not sure if I should retake? What are your thoughts SDN community?
Scores
BIO: 18
G-CHEM: 19
O-CHEM: 28
PAT: 17
RC: 17
QR: 16
TS: 20
AA: 20

 

[malikhind]

Update: I took the exam on Feb 1 and got a 20 AA. I know not too high, but I am feeling satisfied with the score! Not sure if I should retake? What are your thoughts SDN community?
Scores
BIO: 18
G-CHEM: 19
O-CHEM: 28
PAT: 17
RC: 17
QR: 16
TS: 20
AA: 20

Congrats man! Don't be too hard on yourself. Considering your circumstances (having a kid), you did a lot better than most could!

 

[shaqfu2019]

Update: I took the exam on Feb 1 and got a 20 AA. I know not too high, but I am feeling satisfied with the score! Not sure if I should retake? What are your thoughts SDN community?
Scores
BIO: 18
G-CHEM: 19
O-CHEM: 28
PAT: 17
RC: 17
QR: 16
TS: 20
AA: 20

Congrats! You certainly don't need to re-take it. BTW your post just popped up into the feed recently and your story was very inspiring to say the least. If you tell the obstacles you've faced and how you managed to persevere to pursue your dream, then no admission committee will ever turn you down.

 

[toothteethtooth]

Thank you shaqfu2019. I have started full time job and am working on few new publications as well. I am hoping that I am able to convince Adcoms in Texas that I am worthy of a seat in their dental school!

Congrats! You certainly don't need to re-take it. BTW your post just popped up into the feed recently and your story was very inspiring to say the least. If you tell the obstacles you've faced and how you managed to persevere to pursue your dream, then no admission committee will ever turn you down.

 

[toothteethtooth]

Update: I got into two dental schools! UNE AND MOSDOH. Currently waitlisted for UDM with few other interviews! I never knew I would be in this position. Thank you so much SDN and everyone who posted. You all have no idea how much this support meant. Now, the sweet battle of picking and choosing between two schools: UNE and MOSDOH?

What are your thoughts SDN community?

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Update: I got into two dental schools! UNE AND MOSDOH. Currently waitlisted for UDM with few other interviews! I never knew I would be in this position. Thank you so much SDN and everyone who posted. You all have no idea how much this support meant. Now, the sweet battle of picking and choosing between two schools: UNE and MOSDOH?

What are your thoughts SDN community?

Congratulations! Choose what school most suits your needs, you are in, that's what is important!

 

[RyuXkoken]

lmaooo I legit laughed off my chair

@Mar&Add8 Congrats dude! Have you decided where you're going?