No interest to study anymore--suggestions

[Lily05]

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I could never imagine myself saying this but it looks like I lost interest in studying...I keep postponing my study day after day, and when I do sit down and start studying...I don't cover much material, I start yawning and I go sleep. As a matter of fact I noticed that I am sleepy and tired all day with zero interest in studying....and freaking step exam is only 2 months away. I feel like I am sinking and I'm helpless. Unfortunately I don't have a study buddy to prepare for this beast...and I wish I had because otherwise I would be so very much disciplined. Any suggestions, anyone went through this. I do realize that I'm putting my future in jeopardy now, as my career pretty much depends heavily on step 1 but I am quite passive in response to this...it's like i have no ounce of worry or whatsoever.
Ideas, advices??

 

[iA-MD2013]

I am the same way with only 6 weeks left. 🙁 I'd love some advice too!

 

[clinicallabguy]

I'm taking the test tomorrow. I've definitely had ups and downs. I had days when I had a really hard time studying, and then several days later I would get back into my groove again. Is there anyway that you can think of to make studying more rewarding? Does getting answers right in a question bank motivate you? Does going over flash cards keep your attention? Does standing at a white board talking yourself through mechanisms get you into it? It's different for everybody, but you're definitely not alone in feeling burned out.

What I tried to do to increase my "study hygiene" was to do other things throughout the day at specified times to break up the day. I'd wake up early and read something inspiring or fun (not medical) for a half hour or so, then I'd take a block of 46 questions, and then I'd study until I was trailing off. Then I'd exercise...etc. I guess I don't have to describe the whole day, but there were 2 or 3 things during the day that split up the studying, and kept the day together. I don't know if that helps, but two 3 hour blocks of good studying because you did something to mix it up in the middle is better than studying 8 hours straight while forcing yourself to reread paragraphs.

And if you really need to, take a day to regain your sanity if you can spare it.

 

[quepatho]

meeee toooo...

I thought I would space out reading and questions and now I'm more bored than ever. Maybe I will go and take a walk.

 

[myuserid]

I'd planned to study for 6 months like most IMGs do. This happened to me after every 2 months, and lasted for 3-4 weeks. Breaking the tempo is never a good thing. Every time I regained the motivation, I had the urge to revise everything I'd read till then before moving on. I ended up revising some subjects many times and others not at all... Then came a point when I recognized the pattern and came to terms with the fact that I cant focus for more than 7-8 weeks. I left Kaplans and started uw, focussed on my weaknesses only, slept well every day, walked for an hour daily, and watched a good TV program after dinner on most days. My scores were reasonable, so I simply took the exam before the expected burn out without revising UW notes, or completing FA. Much as I wished to break 270, I realized after the exam that studying extra wouldnt have helped much. A lot matters on 'on the day' performance. They tested simple concepts in a not so simple way. Hope this helps.

 

[Joe Waitlist]

I could never imagine myself saying this but it looks like I lost interest in studying...I keep postponing my study day after day, and when I do sit down and start studying...I don't cover much material, I start yawning and I go sleep. As a matter of fact I noticed that I am sleepy and tired all day with zero interest in studying....and freaking step exam is only 2 months away. I feel like I am sinking and I'm helpless. Unfortunately I don't have a study buddy to prepare for this beast...and I wish I had because otherwise I would be so very much disciplined. Any suggestions, anyone went through this. I do realize that I'm putting my future in jeopardy now, as my career pretty much depends heavily on step 1 but I am quite passive in response to this...it's like i have no ounce of worry or whatsoever.
Ideas, advices??

Take a practice test (nbme or uwsa) --knowing where you are at is enough to scare you into working hard.

 

[FutureInternist]

I could never imagine myself saying this but it looks like I lost interest in studying...I keep postponing my study day after day, and when I do sit down and start studying...I don't cover much material, I start yawning and I go sleep. As a matter of fact I noticed that I am sleepy and tired all day with zero interest in studying....and freaking step exam is only 2 months away. I feel like I am sinking and I'm helpless. Unfortunately I don't have a study buddy to prepare for this beast...and I wish I had because otherwise I would be so very much disciplined. Any suggestions, anyone went through this. I do realize that I'm putting my future in jeopardy now, as my career pretty much depends heavily on step 1 but I am quite passive in response to this...it's like i have no ounce of worry or whatsoever.
Ideas, advices??

Study or end up as an FP in Alaska !!!

 

[beyondbethany]

Take a practice test (nbme or uwsa) --knowing where you are at is enough to scare you into working hard.

Study or end up as an FP in Alaska !!!

Yes - fear - embrace the fear.

 

[ar2388]

fear really helps... 🙁 def take an NBME. that should kick your butt into gear.

 

[WellWornLad]

Part of what step I is testing is the discipline to sit down and learn a ridiculous amount of material. In that respect, the test has already started. Best of luck with that!

 

[amom]

I am only a first year so I dont know what studying for boards would be like but I agree with thinking about the consequences. You have worked so hard for the past few years and you dont want to slow down at the most crucial point.
I would suggest trying to find one thing that you really enjoy doing. For me, personally I enjoy cooking for my family so whenever I feel like I am getting overwhelmed I cook or bake something. Point is, try to find one thing that you really do enjoy and when you are getting overwhelmed walk away and do what you enjoy🙂

 

[ar2388]

i love to cook and bake too.. you dont really have the time for that during step 1 studying time.. dont wanna sound lilke a bitch, but i didnt understand until i reached this point what it would be like.. its easy to say that you dont want to slow down at the most crucial point but f*ck man, you are so burned out at this point, the end of 2nd year is hard enough and now you have to work your @ss off for another 4-6 weeks? stpe 1 studying blows. i hate it. i want to rip my hair out..
but for me, taking tha NBME exam and seeing that less than great score was a nice kick in the butt...