Stressed Beyond Belief

[KaleRG]

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Hey guys, I'm really new to this site and all, and I have some things I need to get off my chest. I started college last fall, coming in with 52 CIS college credits from high school and a 3.63 college GPA from high school. I started taking biology right away as a prereq for medical school along with a psych class, philosophy, and a foreign language. I was also in choir, and I worked part-time. My first semester went by super fast, and I did really well in all of my classes (I ended up with a 3.77 GPA for fall semester). I am now in my second semester taking biology, gen chem, philosophy, and a foreign language. I am still in choir, and I still have my part-time job, but I have pretty much doubled my hours at work. And, I also got elected to the executive board of my college's pre-health committee. I feel like I'm doing way too much because my days are filled almost completely Mon-Fri. I am managing homework ok and all, but I feel that I'm slipping in my science classes (although I am managing to maintain a B in both Bio, which is about genetics and evolution, and gen chem 2). I am just super worried that I am burning myself out way too early motivation-wise. It seems to be getting harder and harder to remain concentrated on school work, so I am really worried about my chances for medical school. If I'm feeling this unmotivated so early in my college career, should I even attempt the medical path? I do really want to be a physician some day for multiple reasons. I am still planning on going all the way because it's a goal I have set for myself that I've told myself over and over again that I can achieve. But like I said, I'm really worried about what I'm feeling right now. I hope it's just a phase. Has anyone here also experienced this problem? It's stressing me out

 

[Catalystik]

Get your priorities straight. Priority #1 = keep GPA high. Over-involvement in ECs has the very real threat of engangering your competitiveness. So stop. And breathe.

Ask yourself what you can opt out of. Ditch/decrease the work hours, or cut out choir Take on fewer responsibilities with the pre-health committee or drop it. Freshman year is for figuring out new study strategies to cope with a more rapid flow of information and varying professorial expectations. You're supposed to be having some fun/exercize too. Good time and stress management are important characteristics to develop for someone wanting to go into medicine.

Now go and practice what I preach.

 

[KaleRG]

Get your priorities straight. Priority #1 = keep GPA high. Over-involvement in ECs has the very real threat of engangering your competitiveness. So stop. And breathe.

Ask yourself what you can opt out of. Ditch/decrease the work hours, or cut out choir Take on fewer responsibilities with the pre-health committee or drop it. Freshman year is for figuring out new study strategies to cope with a more rapid flow of information and varying professorial expectations. You're supposed to be having some fun/exercize too. Good time and stress management are important characteristics to develop for someone wanting to go into medicine.

Now go and practice what I preach.

Thanks for the advice Catalystik. I am planning on decreasing my work hours especially next semester when I take organic chemistry and a higher level bio. Sorry if it sounded like I was complaining about the difficulty. I just needed to let it out ya know? Well anyway, thanks again for the help! I'll do my best!

 

[Catalystik]

Sorry if it sounded like I was complaining about the difficulty.

I didn't at all take it as complaining. Rather, I took it as the realization that you can't do it all and not suffer consequences. It's good to figure this out before the sophomore year, so you're ahead of schedule.

 

[HDaddyDollarz]

Just focus on grades for now, you have a long way until you will be applying to school.

Right now, its all about grades....I quit my part time job, I borrow money from my parents, it sucks, but I have time to focus on grades.

You gotta realize that med school bases most of its admissions on your GPA and MCAT, working while in school will not be an excuse for lower grades. Same with EC's, that whats summers are for.