No motivation after MCAT

[NeuroscEYEnce]

Hello,

I took the MCAT almost a month ago. I have absolutely no motivation for anything. Friends, school, exercise, researching medical schools to apply to, or anything. All I want to do is lay around, sleep, and do absolutely nothing. It's really bad because I have final exams coming up in a couple weeks and I really want to get back to my motivated happy self. Any tips on what I should do?

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[Graffiti]

Hello,

I took the MCAT almost a month ago. I have absolutely no motivation for anything. Friends, school, exercise, researching medical schools to apply to, or anything. All I want to do is lay around, sleep, and do absolutely nothing. It's really bad because I have final exams coming up in a couple weeks and I really want to get back to my motivated happy self. Any tips on what I should do?

i dont have ne friends so i can't relate to ur situation, sorry.

 

[SmurfinUSA]

I agree, my only friends are the Orsay brothers on CD.

 

[Ace of Hz]

Hello,

I took the MCAT almost a month ago. I have absolutely no motivation for anything. Friends, school, exercise, researching medical schools to apply to, or anything. All I want to do is lay around, sleep, and do absolutely nothing. It's really bad because I have final exams coming up in a couple weeks and I really want to get back to my motivated happy self. Any tips on what I should do?

I know how you feel bro (or sister). I took the 3/26 MCAT and waiting for the score has really kept me down. I'm not as motivated either to do homework, study for tests, or write papers (due next week). I just want the score more than anything right now (and a GOOD score that is!) Worrying about a bad score has gotten me depressed 🙁 Scores come out in a few days though, let's hang in there!!

 

[startoverat40]

when you're almost 40, you can't afford to lose motivation over little things. this might be the last chance you get, so take full advantage of every day.

i just came back from my 7am run. now it's time to read my Netter's physiology book before heading out to a full day at work.

try reading "little engine that could" to your 3 year old. that'll motivate you.

 

[dsoz]

when you're almost 40, you can't afford to lose motivation over little things. this might be the last chance you get, so take full advantage of every day.

i just came back from my 7am run. now it's time to read my Netter's physiology book before heading out to a full day at work.

try reading "little engine that could" to your 3 year old. that'll motivate you.

I am in the same boat as startoverat40. Being "non-traditional" makes it tough to be unmotivated (although my youngest is almost 17 so reading the little engine that could would just be weird!!!). I am still stressing over the scores.

I also took it 3/26, and the score report can't come soon enough for me to do one of two things. Either give up on this mad dream of switching careers into medicine at 40, or "ramming speed" into medical school.

dsoz

 

[mido1765]

Hello,

I took the MCAT almost a month ago. I have absolutely no motivation for anything. Friends, school, exercise, researching medical schools to apply to, or anything. All I want to do is lay around, sleep, and do absolutely nothing. It's really bad because I have final exams coming up in a couple weeks and I really want to get back to my motivated happy self. Any tips on what I should do?

I dont have friends so i cant relate to you there, but i do understand the feeling because i have the feeling after my normal class tests. usually changing your routine or doing something new (like going to the beach, or a park, may the movies) can help. it will show you that med school is not the end of the world. I used to get so depressed that i would just say "why am i doing this" or "when is this over". but once you change and see that there is more to life, you will get motivated again 😉 i hope i helped. and just try it out, you wont lose anything

 

[0919mmk]

I dont have friends so i cant relate to you there, but i do understand the feeling because i have the feeling after my normal class tests. usually changing your routine or doing something new (like going to the beach, or a park, may the movies) can help. it will show you that med school is not the end of the world. I used to get so depressed that i would just say "why am i doing this" or "when is this over". but once you change and see that there is more to life, you will get motivated again 😉 i hope i helped. and just try it out, you wont lose anything

Are all you "I dont have any friends" people actually serious? (insert "can't tell if serious gif here). If this is in fact the case, get on that! Without real people (like, in meatspace) to hang with and talk to, how does one get thru life? Strike up a conversation or something! If you all are gunners and "too busy" for friends, then you def need to readjust your priorities. friends= basic level of happiness.

 

[Thirteeen]

i dont have ne friends so i can't relate to ur situation, sorry.

Only the weak have friends. 🙂

 

[AnastomoSteve]

Hello,

I took the MCAT almost a month ago. I have absolutely no motivation for anything. Friends, school, exercise, researching medical schools to apply to, or anything. All I want to do is lay around, sleep, and do absolutely nothing. It's really bad because I have final exams coming up in a couple weeks and I really want to get back to my motivated happy self. Any tips on what I should do?

I felt the exact same way for a while. I wouldn't say I'm 100% back to my 'normal' self but I have been slowly getting back into it. I took a lot of time of from things pre-MCAT and took it pretty easy for a week or two post-MCAT.

Maybe just try doing absolutely nothing for a day or so? I think a few days like that helped me the most.

 

[blue0rchid]

Props to you for pursuing this "mad dream". I think it's worth it. I'm sort of in the same boat here but a bit younger. I think exercise would help. When are you applying? Are you still doing volunteer work? Do you prepare your application yet? Fill out the app, write personal statement, check out school.... idono... Help your kid with homework or sport or something like that. It's spring time now, so perhaps go spend a day doing yard work would be good for you. It'll give you some sense of new accomplishment 🙂 Good luck!

 

[tmg1325]

Haha. I've always been super hard-pressed for motivation to do anything that's not fun, but honestly you don't sound burned out, you sound depressed. Even when I'm totally sick of school and I've decided that I'm going to blow off my tests and homework and be happy with B's or C's, I still want to go out and do other stuff.

So maybe you should try reading up about how to kick depression- there are all kinds of DIY cognitive therapies you could try. Or read a book about Buddhism. Or just make yourself go out and have fun and see if you can't trick yourself into enjoying it- is it just bad to get started, or do you stay like this even after you make yourself begin?

 

[Born2 beadoctor]

I dont have friends so i cant relate to you there, but i do understand the feeling because i have the feeling after my normal class tests. usually changing your routine or doing something new (like going to the beach, or a park, may the movies) can help. it will show you that med school is not the end of the world. I used to get so depressed that i would just say "why am i doing this" or "when is this over". but once you change and see that there is more to life, you will get motivated again 😉 i hope i helped. and just try it out, you wont lose anything

I'm in the same situation. I have pretty much lost motivation for everything. I can't also get to study for finals. The fact that I found the 4/29 pretty challenging and I'm also really burnt out is making my situation worse. I just can't wait for June 1st. Anyway, I believe there is more to life than MCATs and med school and being a physician!

 

[tartrate]

I dont have friends so i cant relate to you there, but i do understand the feeling because i have the feeling after my normal class tests. usually changing your routine or doing something new (like going to the beach, or a park, may the movies) can help. it will show you that med school is not the end of the world. I used to get so depressed that i would just say "why am i doing this" or "when is this over". but once you change and see that there is more to life, you will get motivated again 😉 i hope i helped. and just try it out, you wont lose anything

For some reason I love this post. I've not seen too many posts with this kind of honesty and sincerity .

 

[Perkins]

I also feel kind of lazy after taking the MCAT. When I open my textbook and start studying, I just really want to do nothing and waste time. I've spent three days doing "fun' things and I think that helped me out. Try doing something fun and concentrate it all together to get the relaxation out of your system. Then maybe you will feel ready to tackle life as you usually do.

Going to the gym helps. Running on a treadmill like a hamster for an hour with little going on in my brain and music in my ears also helps me feel more energized after.

You can also try texting your friends to meet up for meals or something. This way if you have a lunch set up with someone you HAVE to show up, and once you show up you will probably want to catch up with your friend.

I also think terrorizing yourself can help sometimes. Like if you think about what the alternative is if you do absolutely nothing and get really depressed (i.e. think about how your life would really unravel and it would be difficult to catch up with your classes and whatever else you like doing), maybe that will motivate you to get into action since you don't like the alternative.

Anyways if all of this does NOT work for you.... I think you should see your counseling services at your school. They are experienced in dealing with burned out students who are depressed and I think the can help you. It's perfectly normal to see a counselor / psychologist at student health services and does not by any means hint that you are "crazy."

Eating clementines also makes me more motivated because they are tangy. You can try that.

Also try to not eat oily food, fried food, and heavy dessert. These usually make me feel depressed or less motivated when I eat them. I think my energies go to digesting them so I have less energy to be active and do work / other things, so then a few hours later I feel yucky about being unproductive.

 

[Perkins]

I also heard there is a drink called "five hour energy" and it makes you really awake and aware for five hours. I don't know if that stuff will make you focus better so that you can start getting active instead of languishing. I have never tried drinking it, but I guess you can try a cup to see if it works? be careful though!! You never know about energy drinks. Sometimes they taste really bad or make you crash.