This sucks

[Na1a]

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After spending 4 years of undergrad working and studying to get into medical school, I'm seriously unhappy. I feel isolated from my classmates, I hate (HATE!) the studying, and I can't make myself study and concentrate like I should.

I am on the verge of repeating the year (which I am willing to do, but it sucks because I hate myself for not being able to concentrate). I find myself sitting at my desk for hours and hours not getting anything done. I've tried every setting there is, and nothing seems to help. I'm usually sleep deprived and frustrated. I hate it. I don't have any good excuses, either; I have no personal problems, illnesses, or financial issues preventing me from studying. I simply can't do it and I don't know why...this had never happened to me before. I'd never struggled to do well.

Thanks for letting me vent. You're probably the only group of people that can understand.

 

[brianmartin]

I'd never struggled to do well.

I think this says it all.

 

[Na1a]

I think this says it all.

Yeah, I know. Which is why I have no idea what to do...so what do I do?

 

[braluk]

Find something that motivates you to get your *** in gear. Sometimes when I start losing sight of things, one of the things that helps me is contacting my preceptor and going to surgery with him or going on rounds with him- helps me regain the foresight I need to put what I am doing now in context, and within the grand scheme of things. Another thing that helps me is reading medical narratives (For example, "How Doctors Think", or something by Atul Gawande), so that it might help me regain some of the things I forgot along the way in terms of what made me go into medicine in the first place. If you want to get remotivated in ways without using academic stuff, try to take a short vacation and not worry about work so that you'll be refreshed. Hobbies might help. Just don't lose sight of the big picture and how you might want to prepare for it when you approach it as a first year...third year.... resident, etc.

 

[Depakote]

I've found that scheduling my studying helps.

When you sit down to study, make a list of everything you need to get done. Block it out and intersperse your breaks between. Time your breaks and then move on to the next block of studying. That generally helps keep me on pace when I'm having motivation issues.

 

[ShyRem]

Find a study group and go there. even if you do nothing but sit and listen, you'll be picking up more stuff then otherwise. And eventually you'll be sucked into the conversation and start asking question (active learning!).

First year sucks. Second year is better.

 

[Coconut45]

I kinda just got over the same debilitating boredom you describe (somehow passed and still remember some 1st semester stuff.) I think the idea of having a list of things you need to get done is great, as well as studying in groups. What has helped me is asking one or two people to meet with me and going over problems. For physio I like the Costanzo Cases and Problems book. If you have a problem in front of you, you'll probably want to know the answer. What you don't know, a group member may be able to explain, or you can just look it up. If you have absolutely no desire to even do problems, I would suggest that there may be something else going on and you should think about talking to student counseling. Not saying "you're crazy if you don't wanna study this mundane info," but just that you may be experiencing a change in motivation related to mood, etc.

 

[Instatewaiter]

After spending 4 years of undergrad working and studying to get into medical school, I'm seriously unhappy. I feel isolated from my classmates, I hate (HATE!) the studying, and I can't make myself study and concentrate like I should.

I am on the verge of repeating the year (which I am willing to do, but it sucks because I hate myself for not being able to concentrate). I find myself sitting at my desk for hours and hours not getting anything done. I've tried every setting there is, and nothing seems to help. I'm usually sleep deprived and frustrated. I hate it. I don't have any good excuses, either; I have no personal problems, illnesses, or financial issues preventing me from studying. I simply can't do it and I don't know why...this had never happened to me before. I'd never struggled to do well.

Thanks for letting me vent. You're probably the only group of people that can understand.

When I get stressed out (like is sounds like you are) I have major difficulties concentrating. I move from one subject to another without every getting any of them finished. A few things have helped me in the past get over this:

Going to the gym- helps me get rid of some of the extra energy and helps me refocus so I get more work done in a shorter amt of time. It is funny that by taking time out of everyday to work out actually gives me more free time. It also keeps me much less stressed out.

Like the previous poster said- blocking out what you have to do. It keeps me on track and makes me feel like it is all very do-able. I like to roughly block out what I am going to do for the week and then break down my day by the hour. Give yourself extra time so that you dont feel like you have to rush through everything.

Getting ahead- this is huge for me. I try and finish the course material a few days ahead of schedule (we use syllabi so I have everything in front of me already). It gives extra time to study before a test instead of focusing on new material I can synthesize everything.

Summary sheets- I go through each lecture and make a summary of the impt points. It takes more time to get these done than just reading the material but if I didnt spend the time on these I wouldnt spend much extra time going through the material either. I am the type of person that doesnt get in gear until it's crunch time. So the act of sheet making makes me focus more on the material the first time and saves time before the test. Going through these sheets is much quicker than 500 pages of syllabus so it help me go through the material a few extra times before the test.

try and finish studying 1 day before the test- this never happens but if I shoot for it then I use that 'extra day' to finish up my studying rather than feel like I havent gotten through everything I wanted to before the test.

Not going to class- this is kinda counter intuitive but I am lucky that at my school we are given syllabi with all the material we need to know. Since I am not an auditory learner I get very little out of class. Instead I spend my time reading the syllabus (or on SDN) and making those summaries. Since I have stopped going to class I have much more free time and my grades have gone up.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Have you thought about going to counseling? It's possible something else is going on that's preventing you from studying, and you did say you feel socially isolated. Also, there are people out there who discover they have ADHD while in medical school. It might not be what's going on, but it's something to explore.

Other than that, yeah, first year material is very boring. I found that I liked second semester of first year material more (phys and neuro) than 1st semester stuff (anatomy and biochem), so maybe things will get less dull. Second year is largely more interesting, but it's still not super exciting.

 

[coastal]

This just echos what a few other people have mentioned, but it's what I've found worked for me.

Exercise. Do this often, do it at a routine time and make it a priority. Huge difference for energy levels.

Find out when you're most efficient. When you figure this out, try to do your work at that time. For me, I've found that I work best from 7:00AM til just before noon. Consequently, during pre-clerkship, I did >80% of my work during this period. I'm also pretty good later in the evening, so during exam prep time I'd add this on as well. Afternoons I usually pissed away doing nothing, but I wasn't banging my head against a wall trying to study. Don't waste your time studying when you don't do a good job at it. If you figure you don't do a good job at it at any time....that sucks, just pick a time and give it a go for a week, you'll figure it out.

Try not going to class. Each semester I went less and less until the last one in which I went to <10%. I got up early, started studying early and got done by lunch. If you aren't a morning person, but you've been sleep deprived because you stay up late and try to get to 8:00 or 8:30 classes, this might be even more beneficial for you. Most of the time I'd get through the material much quicker than it would take a lecturer to blather through it. Our notes were available ahead of time, so I tended to work ahead.

Set reasonable goals. Do you really want or need to be near the top of your class? Everyone is smart now. Unless you want to do something really competitive, chill and enjoy life. Lots of people find med school easier than undergrad and it often isn't because it's actually easier, but rather that their goals have changed and they don't worry. Take this with a grain of salt since I'm in Canada where grades don't have a huge impact on most residency applications (average grades, hoping to match ortho) and we don't have to the USMLE (thank God, so much useless knowledge....).

Maintain a social life. People's needs are so variable in this respect. Do whatever you need to do be it knitting club or a string of random drunken hook-ups at the bar.

All this said, talking to real people, not people online, might be more useful, if only as a true opportunity to vent. Talking to someone professional might not hurt either, especially if you try a bunch of the things people have suggested to no avail. Good luck. Life is what you make it.

 

[Na1a]

Thanks everyone for the advice so far. Keep it coming.

Exercise. Do this often, do it at a routine time and make it a priority. Huge difference for energy levels.

I was being okay at this last semester, but not anymore...I end up wasting my day trying to study and being unsuccessful at it, and getting not much else done.

Try not going to class. Each semester I went less and less until the last one in which I went to <10%.

I already don't go to any of my classes. I tried going for a while, but it just makes me even more tired and I don't want to study when I get home. But not going hasn't helped except in letting me sleep a little more.

Set reasonable goals. Do you really want or need to be near the top of your class?

Not really, I just want to pass.

Maintain a social life. People's needs are so variable in this respect. Do whatever you need to do be it knitting club or a string of random drunken hook-ups at the bar.

This is one of my biggest problems. Most of my classmates' outings and social activities revolve around bars on the weekends. I don't have fun in those places. I tried being social at the beginning and I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere, and I stopped going to bars because frankly it's not my thing. There don't seem to be many other activities besides intramurals, and I'm not a sporty kind of person. Volunteering is a little hard, since I have no transportation of my own so I rely on our (sucky) public transportation. I already bother a few classmates with trips to the supermarket/pharmacy/etc, and I don't really want to bother people all the time about rides.

All this said, talking to real people, not people online, might be more useful, if only as a true opportunity to vent. Talking to someone professional might not hurt either, especially if you try a bunch of the things people have suggested to no avail. Good luck. Life is what you make it.

I have never been to the counseling center but I've already made an appointment for the near future. I was avoiding it because I feel like I don't know what to tell them, but we'll see how that goes. You're right, I spend more time online that with real people nowadays, and it's pathetic, but it's my only outlet at the moment. I don't feel like I can talk about this to many of my classmates.

 

[westphi]

Maintain a social life. People's needs are so variable in this respect. Do whatever you need to do be it knitting club or a string of random drunken hook-ups at the bar.

Yeah, "hooking-up" with random people AT A BAR is a great confidence booster. 👎

Dear Na1a, I think some of the other posts have hit the mark...and that is to get reconnected with why you chose to go to med school in the first place. If it was to help those in need, then I would probably do some volunteering at a clinic where people are in dire need. Or whatever the case may be. I can see why it might be difficult, considering you never really had to struggle. Failure is a way to show us what success really is. But I wouldn't recommend failing med school so you can become motivated. Otherwise I think you probably just need a good kick in the pants. 😀

 

[Na1a]

Otherwise you probably just need a good kick in the pants. 😀

Maybe. I'm willing to try anything at this point...tough love included.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Even though you don't go to class, I'd recommend going to school since staying at home isn't working for you. Go the library, don't take your laptop or phone and force yourself to stay for a few hours. Sure, you probably still won't be 100% productive, but you won't have much else to do but study.

 

[roja]

Oooooh. I was so where you are when I was an MS2. I used to sit in my advisors office and moan and complain. I hated med school at that point. Seriously hated it. Studying was torture. I wasn't struggling with grades to much, thankfully, I just hated where I was. But my advisor was fantastic. He just told me, its temporary. These are just the hoops you go through to get where you want to be. Keep in mind what it is you want to do: be a doctor. Being a doctor isn't sitting in classes all day and having to cram for exams. But it is something you have to do to become a doctor. It helped keep things in perspective.

I also stopped going to class for a while, but you are getting good advice. Even if you aren't going to lecture, go study in the library. That way when lecture breaks, you can take a study break and socialize with your classmates. This will also make sure you are not killing yourself studying. When I wasn't going to lecture, I would take a break every 45-50 minutes. There are reasons that they do this in lectures and the same reasons apply when you are studying by yourself. Get up. Walk around. Go sit outside and see the sun. You just need a 5-10 minute break.

Like the others said: excercise. socialize. reconnect with family and other friends. Make sure you schedule in some non-medschool stuff. Watch tv. go to the movies.

Also, realize: you are not in medical school to get all A's. Your patients will not care if you were first or second in your class. Believe it or not, your patients aren't going to ask for your class rank. You are in medical school to learn the things you need to learn to make yourself a good doctor. Accept you will have to learn things you will never use again, but its just one of the hoops.

 

[girlofdestiny]

Is there any way you can take a random FUN class outside of school in something else you're interested in? Last year I took a yearlong imrpov class which was GREAT!
It wasn't connected to school at all, which meant everyone I met WASNT A MED STUDENT, it gave me something to look forward to each week, and it made me use a different part of my brain.

Maybe you could try an arts class of sorts (drawing, ceramics, etc), dancing (salsa etc so you can meet new people), join a book group in the community (check yelp etc).

Just any way to not be around one's peers and not talk about school for 3 hours a week can be a godsend.

 

[TIGIBedHead]

Ah, I can relate to the motivation issues. I've been doing fine in all of my classes, but now that we're learning more intricate concepts, I know I can't procrastinate as much as I have been. And the funny thing is that I find what we're doing now, physio, so much more interesting than anatomy and biochem, yet I can't motivate myself any more than I could with those classes.

I tried not going to class for a week, but didn't find myself being more productive. I'd just listen to lectures at night, which is when I do my best studying. I feel as though I should listen to lectures to see what the profs emphasize/how they explain things (most of ours are quite good), but I'm not an auditory learner, so I have to do more work on top of this, and I can't get myself to do it. I feel for you, Na1a. I might also go see our academic skills person to see if she has any tips for overcoming this.

 

[mjl1717]

Find a study group and go there. even if you do nothing but sit and listen, you'll be picking up more stuff then otherwise. And eventually you'll be sucked into the conversation and start asking question (active learning!).

First year sucks. Second year is better.

This is good advice.. Id agree with this..

{Dont let it get you down, many go thru this.. A lot of medicine is just take what ever they throw at you and dont say anything}

 

[blurry]

Yeah, "hooking-up" with random people AT A BAR is a great confidence booster. 👎

If the girl was insanely hot, I'd be more confident.

 

[OncoCaP]

Tons of ideas already on this thread. Here's one to add (sorry if this is a duplicate):
Try shadowing some physicians. We have MDs who teach several of our classes, and so we can always ask them. Find someone who you think is good at what they do and interesting and follow them around for a day. For me just knowing what you need to know to handle a fairly basic case is a pretty good motivator. In other words, get a mentor.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Maybe. I'm willing to try anything at this point...tough love included.

I'd like to add one thing to the already great advice you've been getting...

Get your LAZY A$$ out of bed and start studying RIGHT NOW!!! What's wrong with you?!! You busted your butt for 4 years to get into med school. And this is how you handle yourself?! There are literally THOUSANDS of people out there who would do ANYTHING to be in your seat. ANYTHING! I'm SICK and TIRED of your USELESSNESS! You're turning into a complete LOSER. Get up. Get ready. And start studying RIGHT NOW!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!!!!

You know I love you, right?....

 

[Tiger26]

I'd like to add one thing to the already great advice you've been getting...

Get your LAZY A$$ out of bed and start studying RIGHT NOW!!! What's wrong with you?!! You busted your butt for 4 years to get into med school. And this is how you handle yourself?! There are literally THOUSANDS of people out there who would do ANYTHING to be in your seat. ANYTHING! I'm SICK and TIRED of your USELESSNESS! You're turning into a complete LOSER. Get up. Get ready. And start studying RIGHT NOW!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!!!!

You know I love you, right?....

That's what I was thinking. Dude grow up, 1st years not that bad and it only gets harder. For God sakes, you're going to be a doctor who's responsible for people who have lives much worse than you do.

 

[HEADintheCLOUDS]

I'd like to add one thing to the already great advice you've been getting...

Get your LAZY A$$ out of bed and start studying RIGHT NOW!!! What's wrong with you?!! You busted your butt for 4 years to get into med school. And this is how you handle yourself?! There are literally THOUSANDS of people out there who would do ANYTHING to be in your seat. ANYTHING! I'm SICK and TIRED of your USELESSNESS! You're turning into a complete LOSER. Get up. Get ready. And start studying RIGHT NOW!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!!!!

You know I love you, right?....

OP: I felt the same as you about a week ago. Then I decided, who gives a **** about my classmates and what they think. They are mostly immature so I really do not want to hang with them. I also decided to study almost 6 hours a day and on the weekends 10 hours at the minimum and always being about 1-2 days ahead of the syllabus. So when the other students say somehting incorrecttly I can sigh and correct them hastily. It makes me feel so much better shoving it in their faces since they seem to be total *****s in my prescence. Some may call me gunner, I call me DERM/ ORTHO/ whatever specialty I want!

 

[sprinkibrio]

Find something that motivates you to get your *** in gear. Sometimes when I start losing sight of things, one of the things that helps me is contacting my preceptor and going to surgery with him or going on rounds with him- helps me regain the foresight I need to put what I am doing now in context, and within the grand scheme of things. Another thing that helps me is reading medical narratives (For example, "How Doctors Think", or something by Atul Gawande), so that it might help me regain some of the things I forgot along the way in terms of what made me go into medicine in the first place.

I don't think this helps for someone who might be reconsidering the whole doctor thing. What helps me is thinking back to the year off I had or thinking about my college friend's lives right now and saying, man, this is the right long-term plan. Once you get over all the other things you'd rather be doing by realizing either they're not all that important or certainly not all that urgent, you'll be more likely to be happy sacrificing them to study. Think of everything you'd have to lose if you don't work hard right now--a secure future, the respect of your family and friends, an identity. Those are some pretty large motivators.

 

[Na1a]

I don't think this helps for someone who might be reconsidering the whole doctor thing. What helps me is thinking back to the year off I had or thinking about my college friend's lives right now and saying, man, this is the right long-term plan. Once you get over all the other things you'd rather be doing by realizing either they're not all that important or certainly not all that urgent, you'll be more likely to be happy sacrificing them to study. Think of everything you'd have to lose if you don't work hard right now--a secure future, the respect of your family and friends, an identity. Those are some pretty large motivators.

Whoa! Hold on a sec. Thankfully the respect of my family and friends and my identity is not based on my professional degree. I don't want them to ever be.

Am I reconsidering medicine? Not really. I actually enjoy the few clinical sessions we have, and I think I will eventually enjoy the work. I am having problems getting all my studying done, I can't seem to get through the material, but that is a different concept. I thought I could get over it by myself since I've never needed help in school, but obviously that hasn't been working. I appreciate all the advice and I'm going to start asking for help and utilizing every resource my school provides to improve.

 

[Doctor J]

Maybe I'm cynical but dear lord there's one of these threads like every week.

Look, I understand the 'reaching out' and connecting aspect of this site. But we have to admit that anyone feeling this way probably already knows how to improve their situation.

Medical school is hard. Life gets more and more difficult and busy as you add stuff to it - family, friends, business, patients, kids, house, taking care of aging parents, etc. Just accept that and admit that you can handle it. Everyone else does.

 

[Na1a]

Just accept that and admit that you can handle it. Everyone else does.

Genius! How did I not think about that before?

Oh wait...I did.

 

[Law2Doc]

Even though you don't go to class, I'd recommend going to school since staying at home isn't working for you.

Strongly agree. But I'd actually suggest to the OP that not going to class is a fine tactic only for folks who are self disciplined and will use the time wisely, but another nail in the coffin if that is going to be a few more hours in the day of nonproductive time. I think for the OP it is a big mistake - he doesn't appear to be someone who covers enough ground during his self study time for it to be worth it.

 

[sprinkibrio]

Whoa! Hold on a sec. Thankfully the respect of my family and friends and my identity is not based on my professional degree. I don't want them to ever be.

I think for some people it's hard to be failing at your job/career while still feeling like your identity is solid and your family isn't sick of helping support you... Maybe your not as bad off as you think 🙂

 

[Na1a]

Strongly agree. But I'd actually suggest to the OP that not going to class is a fine tactic only for folks who are self disciplined and will use the time wisely, but another nail in the coffin if that is going to be a few more hours in the day of nonproductive time. I think for the OP it is a big mistake - he doesn't appear to be someone who covers enough ground during his self study time for it to be worth it.

I have tried going to class. Frankly, I don't feel that it helps that much. At my school, if you attend every lecture in the day you would be in the classroom from about 9-5pm...that's of course only class time, you still must go home to study. When I do go to class (which I do occasionally), I find that I can only pay attention for the first 2 hours or so of class. Usually any lecture after those first two hours is a waste of my time and sitting there just makes me want to pull my hair out (it actually does frustrate me so much that I end up leaving...same thing when sitting in the library). The one thing I always attend is laboratories, which I find helpful. Since during labs I am active it's much easier to be productive in the learning process.

(PS. I'm a she. 😉 )

 

[Law2Doc]

I have tried going to class. Frankly, I don't feel that it helps that much. At my school, if you attend every lecture in the day you would be in the classroom from about 9-5pm...that's of course only class time, you still must go home to study. When I do go to class (which I do occasionally), I find that I can only pay attention for the first 2 hours or so of class. Usually any lecture after those first two hours is a waste of my time and sitting there just makes me want to pull my hair out (it actually does frustrate me so much that I end up leaving...same thing when sitting in the library). The one thing I always attend is laboratories, which I find helpful. Since during labs I am active it's much easier to be productive in the learning process.

(PS. I'm a she. 😉 )

Well, you have to do something different. If you already have come to the decision of not attending every lecture (and/or leaving early) and yet it has resulted in you potentially needing to repeat the year, sounds like you really shouldn't be taking your own advice. You are your own worst enemy and what you are prescribing for yourself clearly isn't working. Lock yourself in that chair in class or the library. Bear in mind that to make attending lecture useful, you need to prepare for it. You can't just show up cold and expect to get anything useful out of it. And you need to engage in active learning, which means taking notes or otherwise keeping yourself involved in the lecture, not just staring blankly at it like a TV set and letting your mind wander. But again, since you can't seem to sit and study in the library either, which is your most viable alternative to the classroom, you are better off in the classroom where at least you get forced exposure to the material. Again, studying on ones own is only a good idea if you have a lot of discipline. From your last post, you have absolutely none. You need to turn this around, bigtime because you are going to be expected to know how to learn and the pace gets faster and faster as you go along -- the first year is the easiest, although it doesn't seem like it at the time.

 

[Na1a]

Well, you have to do something different. If you already have come to the decision of not attending every lecture (and/or leaving early) and yet it has resulted in you potentially needing to repeat the year, sounds like you really shouldn't be taking your own advice. You are your own worst enemy and what you are prescribing for yourself clearly isn't working. Lock yourself in that chair in class or the library. Bear in mind that to make attending lecture useful, you need to prepare for it. You can't just show up cold and expect to get anything useful out of it. And you need to engage in active learning, which means taking notes or otherwise keeping yourself involved in the lecture, not just staring blankly at it like a TV set and letting your mind wander. But again, since you can't seem to sit and study in the library either, which is your most viable alternative to the classroom, you are better off in the classroom where at least you get forced exposure to the material. Again, studying on ones own is only a good idea if you have a lot of discipline. From your last post, you have absolutely none. You need to turn this around, bigtime because you are going to be expected to know how to learn and the pace gets faster and faster as you go along -- the first year is the easiest, although it doesn't seem like it at the time.

True. Too bad I can't seem to get away from myself...🙁

 

[westphi]

Its funny. There are so many people who love the idea of being a physician...but not as many who are willing to do what it takes to actually become one.

I think a lot of it is just people who never really thought about what it was they were getting into or have never experienced the mundane/$hity careers 95% the rest of the population are faced with.

To the OP: I have been out of undergrad for almost three years now and have seen what the real world is like. Believe me when I say you are about as lucky as they come (career-wise). So stop feeling sorry for yourself --because the situation you are in has so much more worth than what next a$$hole has or will ever be capable of achieving (in terms of making a significant difference in people's lives). If I was in med school right now; I wouldn't let a day go by where I knew I hadn't given it my all.

I don't doubt for a second that you'd like to be a doctor. I just question if you know what it means to actually be one.

 

[Na1a]

Its funny. There are so many people who love the idea of being a physician...but not as many who are willing to do what it takes to actually become one.

I think a lot of it is just people who never really thought about what it was they were getting into or have never experienced the mundane/$hity careers 95% the rest of the population are faced with.

To the OP: I have been out of undergrad for almost three years now and have seen what the real world is like. Believe me when I say you are about as lucky as they come (career-wise). So stop feeling sorry for yourself --because the situation you are in has so much more worth than what next a$$hole has or will ever be capable of achieving (in terms of making a significant difference in people's lives). If I was in med school right now; I wouldn't let a day go by where I knew I hadn't given it my all.

I don't doubt for a second that you'd like to be a doctor. I just question if you know what it means to actually be one.

I am not dismissing your advice, and thanks for trying to help. But your last statement is funny coming from someone who isn't even in medical school yet. I'm sorry to say it, because I don't want to sound like a jerk, but until you're there you don't know what it's like.

I did my share of working crappy jobs during undergrad, and I did what I think was a decent amount of shadowing, volunteering, and work in the medical field to get a glimpse of medicine. I have better clinical experiences than most pre-meds, with actual hands-on work. But no matter how much shadowing and working you do, the truth is that no one really knows exactly what it's like to be a doctor until they are actually one, and neither of us has an MD yet. But...I am in medical school and you aren't...which means at least I have experienced the pressure and the drainage of energy that has come with it.

I know I'm lucky, and I certainly am not feeling sorry for myself. Just by being here I'm luckier than 99% of the world's population...I KNOW THAT. It doesn't make my feelings any less valid though. Maybe I'm a little depressed, or bored, or just plain tired, but I am having some troubles in school. I wanted some advice from other med students who had gone through the same thing about how to get over it. I've gotten great responses so far (thanks everyone!) and I'm working hard to improve.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Just don't assume that you know what you would do unless you have been there.

 

[Law2Doc]

I am not dismissing your advice, and thanks for trying to help. But your last statement is funny coming from someone who isn't even in medical school yet. I'm sorry to say it, because I don't want to sound like a jerk, but until you're there you don't know what it's like.
... Just don't assume that you know what you would do unless you have been there.

Well, I also have to agree with the above poster's first sentence notwithstanding that he isn't in med school yet. It's right on the money. "Its funny. There are so many people who love the idea of being a physician...but not as many who are willing to do what it takes to actually become one." This is a path that requires a great deal of work and motivation. The folks who coasted through college and intend to keep coasting have no place here. You need to adapt. Time to roll up your sleeves and get serious. Learning how you learn best is an important skill to learn in early med school because you are going to be expected to assimilate more and more in less and less time as you go on. This is a field where you will always be expected to learn, a field where you will always be taking tests (relicensing, board certifications etc). Plan to be a career student, and to get good at it fast. There is no "congrats on getting into med school, here is your MD". A school will make you earn it; there are potentially lives at stake.

 

[Na1a]

Well, I also have to agree with the above poster's first sentence notwithstanding that he isn't in med school yet. It's right on the money. "Its funny. There are so many people who love the idea of being a physician...but not as many who are willing to do what it takes to actually become one." This is a path that requires a great deal of work and motivation. The folks who coasted through college and intend to keep coasting have no place here. You need to adapt. Time to roll up your sleeves and get serious. Learning how you learn best is an important skill to learn in early med school because you are going to be expected to assimilate more and more in less and less time as you go on. This is a field where you will always be expected to learn, a field where you will always be taking tests (relicensing, board certifications etc). Plan to be a career student, and to get good at it fast. There is no "congrats on getting into med school, here is your MD". A school will make you earn it; there are potentially lives at stake.

I do not disagree with this, and I never did.

 

[westphi]

I am not dismissing your advice, and thanks for trying to help. But your last statement is funny coming from someone who isn't even in medical school yet. I'm sorry to say it, because I don't want to sound like a jerk, but until you're there you don't know what it's like.

First, your dismissive attitude contributes to the fact that you lack some perspective. I have a handful of close friends who are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years and I know what they go through everyday. I just finished a master's in molecular biology, and while it was not as grueling as med school, I do know what it is like to be faced with tons of school work. The argument that: I am not experiencing the same exact situation as you are is totally naive. I know what studying tons of material is like (believe me preparing for my comps was no joy-ride). The main difference is that the door has opened for you and for whatever reason you are having problems getting through it. Being a med student, with the exception of being somewhat more demanding, does not face any less bumps in the road than any other demanding academic program (law, or graduate). And to pass off being a med student as being so different from any other student is a bit arrogant.

I did my share of working crappy jobs during undergrad, and I did what I think was a decent amount of shadowing, volunteering, and work in the medical field to get a glimpse of medicine. I have better clinical experiences than most pre-meds, with actual hands-on work. But no matter how much shadowing and working you do, the truth is that no one really knows exactly what it's like to be a doctor until they are actually one, and neither of us has an MD yet. But...I am in medical school and you aren't...which means at least I have experienced the pressure and the drainage of energy that has come with it.

There's no way for me to say that your undergrad experiences weren't "crappy" or well intentioned--whatever that means. But it doesn't seem that you took much away from them...because you really haven't acknowledged/accepted that you have an opportunity of a life time and you are kinda just pissing it away. And I say this because there doesn't seem to be a reasonable rationale (other than possible depression) to explain your lack of motivation other that the fact that you "have never had any difficulties in school" (or something to that effect). Besides you are just a 1st year. You've got so much more to go. Not to mention that once you actually get your degree you will actually have to continue to work like hell.

I know I'm lucky, and I certainly am not feeling sorry for myself. Just by being here I'm luckier than 99% of the world's population...I KNOW THAT. It doesn't make my feelings any less valid though. Maybe I'm a little depressed, or bored, or just plain tired, but I am having some troubles in school. I wanted some advice from other med students who had gone through the same thing about how to get over it. I've gotten great responses so far (thanks everyone!) and I'm working hard to improve.

Like I alluded to above, med student or not...all types of students have gone through something like what you are experiencing. And the only thing I can say is that unless its some sort of depression...I think you've either lost perspective of how lucky you are or you are not truly passionate about what it is you are doing. And I say this with the utmost respect. Regardless, if you were passionate about what it is you are doing you'd see that med school is the hurdle you need to get over to accomplish your goal. And unless you are willing to take a bite of that $hit sandwich then you've got some serious thinking to do.

And now that I think of it, the only other thing may just be that you are not used to working nearly as hard as you are expected to as a med student. Maybe you are just scared to fail because you're not confident your best is good enough? Why else would you stop trying, again unless it depression? But let me state that I truly don't think it is depression, otherwise you wouldn't be here looking for advice and ways to get through this obstacle. You'd probably be sitting in the dark feeling sorry for yourself and not communicating with people about it. Maybe this is more fear than anything. But as we all know I'm not qualified to make any kind of conclusions. Sounds like you should seek people more qualified and in a real position to help.

You'll get through this. Good luck to you. 🙂

 

[smq123]

First, your dismissive attitude contributes to the fact that you lack some perspective. I have a handful of close friends who are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years and I know what they go through everyday.

No you don't. I can pretty much guarantee that you don't know what they go through each day.

You might have an idea of what their schedules are like each day, but as to what they have to go through? I'm not convinced that you really know what it's like.

The argument that: I am not experiencing the same exact situation as you are is totally naive. I know what studying tons of material is like (believe me preparing for my comps was no joy-ride). The main difference is that the door has opened for you and for whatever reason you are having problems getting through it. Being a med student, with the exception of being somewhat more demanding, does not face any less bumps in the road than any other demanding academic program (law, or graduate). And to pass off being a med student as being so different from any other student is a bit arrogant.

The fact that you do NOT understand the OP's problem shows how little you truly understand of a medical student's life.

OP - I know exactly what you're going through. People not in med school (such as westphi) think that it's a problem with your work ethic, or that you're, to be blunt, "lazy."

It sometimes has nothing to do with being lazy. First year, for me, was the worst. I didn't remember why I wanted to be a doctor - shadowing didn't do enough to remind me why. And I had serious fears about the practice of medicine that my "empathy" classes did NOTHING to calm - in fact, they made my fears WORSE, and added new ones on top of that. I hated school. I hated the classes, and I hated the subject material.

Please, DO NOT repeat first year. It sounds like you still have a chance - do not repeat first year. The motivation problems that you're facing now will not go away by repeating first year. And second year, for me, was 50 times better. The material is clinically relevant, you know enough to yell at the TV when House, MD is on 😀 and the chance to be actually DOING stuff (instead of just reading about it) is at your fingertips.

And I say this because there doesn't seem to be a reasonable rationale (other than possible depression) to explain your lack of motivation other that the fact that you "have never had any difficulties in school" (or something to that effect). Besides you are just a 1st year. You've got so much more to go. Not to mention that once you actually get your degree you will actually have to continue to work like hell.

1) There ARE other reasonable rationales. It's not just about being lazy.

2) First year is the worst. It's the lightest in terms of work, but in terms of emotional adjustment, it really, really SUCKED.

If I had to choose, I would rather study for Step 1 again, than go through first year. Studying for Step 1 was much more interesting than any day of first year.

And the only thing I can say is that unless its some sort of depression...I think you've either lost perspective of how lucky you are or you are not truly passionate about what it is you are doing. And I say this with the utmost respect. Regardless, if you were passionate about what it is you are doing you'd see that med school is the hurdle you need to get over to accomplish your goal. And unless you are willing to take a bite of that $hit sandwich then you've got some serious thinking to do.

I know that you hate hearing this, but you really, truly, have NO CLUE what it's like to be a med student.

You know how I can tell? When I was hating first year, I couldn't even talk about it with my classmates. Every time I said anything a TINY BIT critical of med school, I'd be barraged with "Oh, you have no idea how lucky you are, there are so many applicants who would love to be where you are, blah, blah, blah."

The last time someone said that to me, I snapped back, "OH YEAH? Well, then THEY CAN HAVE IT AND BE WELCOME TO IT!"

Needless to say, if one more person had said that to me, it would have gotten ugly.

Furthermore, third year is TOTALLY different from first year. The OP said that she likes lab a lot better - because it is active learning. The OP is the type of person who will therefore likely thrive on her rotations. Like I said, I hated first year, but enjoyed third year a lot better. The worst day of third year was 100 times better than the best day of first year, for me. (And I'm not the only one who thinks that way - several of my classmates concur.)

And claiming that the OP lacks "passion" for medicine because she's having trouble motivating herself through first year is a pretty crappy thing to say. I have found areas of medicine that I am truly passionate about. I worked my butt off on ob/gyn and surgery - not because I wanted to get a good grade, but because I enjoyed taking care of patients on those rotations so much I didn't want to leave the hospital. But, like the OP, I really, really hated first year. Don't presume that the OP lacks passion because, from your limited perspective, she seems to hate the first year of med school. It's not the same thing.

And now that I think of it, the only other thing may just be that you are not used to working nearly as hard as you are expected to as a med student. Maybe you are just scared to fail because you're not confident your best is good enough? Why else would you stop trying, again unless it depression? But let me state that I truly don't think it is depression, otherwise you wouldn't be here looking for advice and ways to get through this obstacle. You'd probably be sitting in the dark feeling sorry for yourself and not communicating with people about it. Maybe this is more fear than anything. But as we all know I'm not qualified to make any kind of conclusions. Sounds like you should seek people more qualified and in a real position to help.

Your assumptions and guesses are not helpful at all - particularly, as we've established, you have no idea how crappy being a first year med student can be.

I'm glad that you "don't truly think it is depression." But, you're absolutely right - you are NOT qualified to make that judgement. And it's a little irresponsible of you to make that assessment when you openly admit that you have no clue how to diagnose psychiatric conditions.

OP - Please don't give up. You're having trouble now, and I know it seems dark and endless. But just get through first year. Second year is better, and third year has the potential to be even better than that. Get help, get counseling, and keep forging ahead!

 

[westphi]

^^^

You sound a lot like the OP. No answers. Just crying.

 

[smq123]

^^^

You sound a lot like the OP. No answers. Just crying.

Well, I think that my post was a step up from your posts, which seemed to be mostly baseless assumptions and mildly insulting guesses, made from a narrow and inexperienced perspective. 🙄

This is one of my biggest problems. Most of my classmates' outings and social activities revolve around bars on the weekends. I don't have fun in those places. I tried being social at the beginning and I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere, and I stopped going to bars because frankly it's not my thing. There don't seem to be many other activities besides intramurals, and I'm not a sporty kind of person. Volunteering is a little hard, since I have no transportation of my own so I rely on our (sucky) public transportation. I already bother a few classmates with trips to the supermarket/pharmacy/etc, and I don't really want to bother people all the time about rides.

I don't know where you live, but would it be possible for you to take a class in something that interests you? Maybe learning Spanish, or ballroom dancing, or whatever? It would let you get to know people outside of school, and give you a social network. Stuff in the community is great - you don't necessarily have to limit yourself to the school.

I have never been to the counseling center but I've already made an appointment for the near future. I was avoiding it because I feel like I don't know what to tell them, but we'll see how that goes. You're right, I spend more time online that with real people nowadays, and it's pathetic, but it's my only outlet at the moment. I don't feel like I can talk about this to many of my classmates.

Trust me, I do understand.

Go to counseling. Talk to people. It might be embarrassing or difficult at first, but once you start talking, you'll be surprised to know how many of your professors and mentors were in your shoes - in first year of med school, and hating it. They survived. I survived. You can too.

I agree with Doctor Bagel - maybe studying outside your home would be best. You already feel isolated from classmates, and you're not going to class - studying at home, shut away from everyone, is just going to increase the sense of isolation and frustration that you feel.

You're welcome to PM me if you want, and I can talk to you more about my own experiences with first year. Good luck!

 

[smq123]

This is a path that requires a great deal of work and motivation. The folks who coasted through college and intend to keep coasting have no place here. You need to adapt. Time to roll up your sleeves and get serious. Learning how you learn best is an important skill to learn in early med school because you are going to be expected to assimilate more and more in less and less time as you go on. This is a field where you will always be expected to learn, a field where you will always be taking tests (relicensing, board certifications etc). Plan to be a career student, and to get good at it fast. There is no "congrats on getting into med school, here is your MD". A school will make you earn it; there are potentially lives at stake.

Law2Doc - Normally, I think you give great advice. But, I think, in the OP's case, it doesn't necessarily have much to do with a poor work ethic.

I have a good work ethic on the floors - and it has showed on my evals so far. I like learning stuff that is relevant to patient care. But first year, I had to literally bribe myself to study.

I think that chalking it up to laziness is an easy way out. But sometimes people have a hard time adapting to first year. I've met several third years who had a great time first and 2nd year, but are having trouble adapting to the wards. Maybe you do too. There isn't always an easy or simple explanation.

 

[Ali Purinol]

Please, DO NOT repeat first year. It sounds like you still have a chance - do not repeat first year. The motivation problems that you're facing now will not go away by repeating first year. And second year, for me, was 50 times better.

Repeating first year is not the ultimate sacrifice as some might opine. Sure, it tacks on another year to your "long-awaited graduation date." However, for me, repeating the first year was something that I think will benefit me in the long run. First, I had the opportunity to actually enjoy some of the things that I learned/saw during my first year. Second, I realized that 1st year medical school is rough for many students due to acclimating to a new environment. While I was repeating the year, I felt completely different than the previous year. The first year students in my NEW class were miserable(most of them anyways). They were everything BUT happy; just as I was.

Besides the minor set back of graduation and perhaps a little bit more in student loans I can say that it was a good decision. If you must, or you think it might help you, talk to a student counselor/faculty at the school and ask. People have been through it before, and 10 years from now no one will care who repeated a year and who got through in 3 years!(no one likely, unless back in the 40s-50s)

Advice given to me during my first year debacle (lowest point in my life to date):
1. keep your head up
2. seek advice/counseling (from the school) BEFORE you fail
3. this too shall pass; don't ever give up

regarding #2, the school needs to see that you have been taking action to help yourself. If it comes down to meeting with a "student progress committee" of some kind they will want to know who you went to for help and when it happened. Although not going to class might help you, not going may look like you are not taking every advantage to help yourself. Please don't be fooled and remember that the people who are teaching you (at least those in charge) are VERY intelligent AND experienced. They watch a lot more closely than many might think.

You have had many people give you good advice. I wish you the best!

 

[PRIMER]

Ok, I am not trying to take sides here or anything but I think that we need to have some perspective. The pre-medical will never know what it is like until they are actually in medical school. The closest that you can come to knowing what it is like, without actually being in medical school, is to have a spouse that is in medical school (no friends, relatives, etc.).

I am a 1st year, and I am doing fairly well, and my wife says all the time "I don't know how you do it," You know what I tell her all the time I don't know how she carried our daughter for 9 months and then delivered her. I will never be able to relate to that, I can only ask her what it was like, think back on what happened and respect what she did. I will never truly know what that was like for her, and I will never disrespect her by saying that I do.

I have never gone through a molecular biology masters program, however I did go through a biological sciences masters program and I am able to compare medical school with that (honestly the masters was about as easy as undergrad, if not easier), because I have done both. I say all of this to say how can anyone speak on something that they just have not done. Can you imagine how insulting it would be for someone who has never lived a day in the ghetto to say suck it up, there are people doing worse than you. If that is your way of motivating yourself and reminding yourself of how blesses you are then fine, but you cannot expect everyone to share that way of thinking, especially when you haven't even sat down for a med school test.

To the pre-med, I will just say to you medical school can truly bring out the best and the worst in people. I hope that it brings out the best in you. You may go in and do well, very well, or you may find yourself thinking back and remembering this thread and what the OP was dealing with and being able to relate. Bottom line is you just don't know until you get there. But I do hope you do very well.

To the OP you absolutely must get help. Point blank. Find out what is going on and fix it fast. Everyone gave good advice, but I think the most important thing is to first be honest with yourself, and go to a advisor (academic/social) and be honest with them to get the help you need. I pray that everything works out with you.

 

[Doctor Bagel]

I agree that the guilt is not the most productive thing here. And I agree with the suggestions about documenting that you're trying and seeking out every bit of help your school will offer you. I think we have a notion that promotions decisions are made on hard and fast rules, but I've seen that there is wiggle room if you convince the school that you're trying.

About the class attendance thing, it's good to try different methods out. If going isn't working, try not going and vice versa. Personally I hear where Na1a is coming from with that because going to class 9-5 just wears me out and has a negative impact on my studying. I also have trouble focusing during lecture. I don't think forcing yourself to go to class will solve motivational issues.

 

[spo01]

No you don't. I can pretty much guarantee that you don't know what they go through each day.

You might have an idea of what their schedules are like each day, but as to what they have to go through? I'm not convinced that you really know what it's like.



The fact that you do NOT understand the OP's problem shows how little you truly understand of a medical student's life.

OP - I know exactly what you're going through. People not in med school (such as westphi) think that it's a problem with your work ethic, or that you're, to be blunt, "lazy."

It sometimes has nothing to do with being lazy. First year, for me, was the worst. I didn't remember why I wanted to be a doctor - shadowing didn't do enough to remind me why. And I had serious fears about the practice of medicine that my "empathy" classes did NOTHING to calm - in fact, they made my fears WORSE, and added new ones on top of that. I hated school. I hated the classes, and I hated the subject material.

Please, DO NOT repeat first year. It sounds like you still have a chance - do not repeat first year. The motivation problems that you're facing now will not go away by repeating first year. And second year, for me, was 50 times better. The material is clinically relevant, you know enough to yell at the TV when House, MD is on 😀 and the chance to be actually DOING stuff (instead of just reading about it) is at your fingertips.



1) There ARE other reasonable rationales. It's not just about being lazy.

2) First year is the worst. It's the lightest in terms of work, but in terms of emotional adjustment, it really, really SUCKED.

If I had to choose, I would rather study for Step 1 again, than go through first year. Studying for Step 1 was much more interesting than any day of first year.



I know that you hate hearing this, but you really, truly, have NO CLUE what it's like to be a med student.

You know how I can tell? When I was hating first year, I couldn't even talk about it with my classmates. Every time I said anything a TINY BIT critical of med school, I'd be barraged with "Oh, you have no idea how lucky you are, there are so many applicants who would love to be where you are, blah, blah, blah."

The last time someone said that to me, I snapped back, "OH YEAH? Well, then THEY CAN HAVE IT AND BE WELCOME TO IT!"

Needless to say, if one more person had said that to me, it would have gotten ugly.

Furthermore, third year is TOTALLY different from first year. The OP said that she likes lab a lot better - because it is active learning. The OP is the type of person who will therefore likely thrive on her rotations. Like I said, I hated first year, but enjoyed third year a lot better. The worst day of third year was 100 times better than the best day of first year, for me. (And I'm not the only one who thinks that way - several of my classmates concur.)

And claiming that the OP lacks "passion" for medicine because she's having trouble motivating herself through first year is a pretty crappy thing to say. I have found areas of medicine that I am truly passionate about. I worked my butt off on ob/gyn and surgery - not because I wanted to get a good grade, but because I enjoyed taking care of patients on those rotations so much I didn't want to leave the hospital. But, like the OP, I really, really hated first year. Don't presume that the OP lacks passion because, from your limited perspective, she seems to hate the first year of med school. It's not the same thing.



Your assumptions and guesses are not helpful at all - particularly, as we've established, you have no idea how crappy being a first year med student can be.

I'm glad that you "don't truly think it is depression." But, you're absolutely right - you are NOT qualified to make that judgement. And it's a little irresponsible of you to make that assessment when you openly admit that you have no clue how to diagnose psychiatric conditions.

OP - Please don't give up. You're having trouble now, and I know it seems dark and endless. But just get through first year. Second year is better, and third year has the potential to be even better than that. Get help, get counseling, and keep forging ahead!

smq123,
i think you are misunderstanding. these people that say things like 'toughen up!' 'you're weak!' or 'you're lazy what is wrong with you! count your blessing there are millions who would love to be in your shoes!!!'...... these people make NO mistakes, they are perfect. they never get upset, are never depressed, and when life gets them down they do not seek towards a higher power or others for help. instead, they stare in the mirror and say 'grow up! c'mon, toughen up you are so lucky! you are a special snowflake and are better than this!' etc. problem solved.

ps: and yes they have a right to make diagnoses, haven't you ever heard of google!? how about the onion? hellllloooooooo!?!

 

[Doctor J]

these people that say things like 'toughen up!' 'you're weak!' or 'you're lazy what is wrong with you! count your blessing there are millions who would love to be in your shoes!!!'...... these people make NO mistakes, they are perfect. they never get upset, are never depressed, and when life gets them down they do not seek towards a higher power or others for help. instead, they stare in the mirror and say 'grow up! c'mon, toughen up you are so lucky! you are a special snowflake and are better than this!' etc. problem solved.

The first part of your sarcastic post is false. The second part is true.

Seriously. When things get hard the only thing you can do is toughen up a bit. Don't mean to be harsh but you (the impersonal 'you') are the only person who can change your own mental outlook. Help is great but don't discount yourself when you gut it out and get through a rough patch. "Oh, I had tons of help" is polite but shifts the credit where it doesn't belong. You did it, getting the help was your own doing, and your own pride and self-worth should benefit.

 

[westphi]

Ok, I am not trying to take sides here or anything but I think that we need to have some perspective. The pre-medical will never know what it is like until they are actually in medical school. The closest that you can come to knowing what it is like, without actually being in medical school, is to have a spouse that is in medical school (no friends, relatives, etc.).

I really didn't come here to fight. But just because I do not have first hand experience does not mean I can't offer perspective. Whether it is good or bad is another topic, but to say only med students can help med students who have been through the same is pretty close-minded.

I am a 1st year, and I am doing fairly well, and my wife says all the time "I don't know how you do it," You know what I tell her all the time I don't know how she carried our daughter for 9 months and then delivered her. I will never be able to relate to that, I can only ask her what it was like, think back on what happened and respect what she did. I will never truly know what that was like for her, and I will never disrespect her by saying that I do.

Your analogy is misanologous and your final statement is misconstrued. First, there is nothing wrong with having a baby. There is something wrong when someone isn't motivated to do what it takes to accomplish their goals and doesn't know how to get over the bump in the road. You and some of the people above are miss associating first-hand experience with empathy and the roles permited in helping someone. Second, I don't think I disrespected the OP in the sense that I said "I know exactly what you are going through and you just need to buck-up." I may have dished out some "tough-love" that not many people agreed with or felt I was being a bit insensitive. But if you read my first post, it is the "kick in the pants" that the OP might be needing all along. If you don't like it or agree with it...fine. But don't tell me I have no perspective or that it is invalid just because I am not a med student. I have been a student for a number of years, and a student is a student is a student. Some have more demands than others, but at the end of the day if you begin to qualify each one's experiences then you have something else to think about.

I have never gone through a molecular biology masters program, however I did go through a biological sciences masters program and I am able to compare medical school with that (honestly the masters was about as easy as undergrad, if not easier), because I have done both. I say all of this to say how can anyone speak on something that they just have not done. Can you imagine how insulting it would be for someone who has never lived a day in the ghetto to say suck it up, there are people doing worse than you. If that is your way of motivating yourself and reminding yourself of how blesses you are then fine, but you cannot expect everyone to share that way of thinking, especially when you haven't even sat down for a med school test.

Umm, no one is entitled to a free pass to live in the suburbs. If you want to live in one then you have to do what it takes to get there. Noone is going to build you a "sympathy-house." in a nice neighborhood just becuase you want it. And if I lived in the suburbs (which believe me I don't) and someone from the ghetto started to complain to me about how it sucks there I wouldn't have any problem giving them some perspective. Because there are people starving in Africa, orphans sniffing glue in S. America to numb their dire existences, and young girls being sold into the sex trade in E. Europe. What burns me up is the lack of real-world perspective so many people have in this country. Is it insensitive for me to think this way? Probably. Though I think I have been afforded the right to this mentality becuase I have had it pretty "rough" for that last three years (in the "real" sense of the word...not the "I'm in med school and its so difficult" sense of the word) and can acknowledge that these god aweful conditions actually do exist (they're not just campains on tv). The only person who is going to make it better for me is me. And at least my perspective is not naive or narrow sighted. Sitting for a med school test...give me a break.

To the pre-med, I will just say to you medical school can truly bring out the best and the worst in people. I hope that it brings out the best in you. You may go in and do well, very well, or you may find yourself thinking back and remembering this thread and what the OP was dealing with and being able to relate. Bottom line is you just don't know until you get there. But I do hope you do very well.

Thanks, and that's why I tried to help--even in my limited capacity. Unfortunately I don't have the name tag that says "med student" after it that gets me through the membership door of this forum.

To the OP you absolutely must get help. Point blank. Find out what is going on and fix it fast. Everyone gave good advice, but I think the most important thing is to first be honest with yourself, and go to a advisor (academic/social) and be honest with them to get the help you need. I pray that everything works out with you.

I agree whole heartedly. Well said.

 

[Law2Doc]

Law2Doc - Normally, I think you give great advice. But, I think, in the OP's case, it doesn't necessarily have much to do with a poor work ethic.
...
I think that chalking it up to laziness is an easy way out. ...

I don't think I've chalked it up to laziness. Bad work ethic doesn't necessarilly equal lazy. It equals unwilling to buckle down. OP is describing a person who can't sit through a lecture OR sit down and study in the library. While I have no problem with folks skipping classes in lieu of more productive study efforts, From what she's described, the OP is not the kind of person who can just go off and do her own study plan and expect improvement. Folks who were doing okay with class but decided to change it up with less attendance and more self study are in a totally different category. But if you are in danger of repeating a year after attending class "occasionally" as the OP has indicated, then you are probably a person who needs to attend more than occaisionally. Folks who are struggling need to lock into a daily routine, such as a lecture, not create a more flexible one if when left to their own devices they simply do not do what they need to do.

The OP got into med school so she has the capability to do fine. But deciding classes aren't working for you and replacing them with a better method assumes that you (1) gave it a real chance (and suggesting that "when I do go to class (which I do occasionally), I find that I can only pay attention for the first 2 hours or so" doesn't count, and (2) have a track record of doing what you need to do to do well. Given what the OP has indicated, she really should (a) attend class regularly (occasionally hasn't worked), (b) preread for every class and take notes during class, (c) review notes after every class, (d) review the week's work each weekend, and (e) review everything again the week before the exam. (f) a study group isn't a bad idea if OP has the opportunity -- the folks who are really struggling often aren't asked into study groups though. Time to forget about what worked in college and make the adjustment to the next level. Hope that helps.

 

[Na1a]

I really appreciate everyone's advice, I know all of it is well-intentioned.

The only insulting comments I find are those that assume that I am asking for a free-ride or that I expect to "coast through medical school." I expect neither of those things. I expected medical school to be tough, many times tougher than undergrad. If I wanted to coast through anything I probably would not have applied to medical school. That is why I asked for advice, because I want to improve my methods of working.

Obviously I cannot and will not possibly convey to all of you everything that is going through my mind at the moment. Don't assume you know everything about me or my life; do not assume that I have no perspective and that I have never had it tough before, because you do not anything about it. I only asked for advice about my academic issues, and to those of you (the vast majority) that have provided it, THANK YOU.

 

[vtucci]

I agree with some of the posters above. To the OP, I would recommend that you try seeing a counselor and an academic advisor to see if there is a way they can help you find real solutions to your issues.

Medical school is often the most difficult environment students have encountered. It can bring out any occult tendencies to be depressed. Many students end up taking SSRIs to help them cope. Being depressed can absolutely impact your ability to concentrate, focus effectively and work productively. This is not the same thing as lacking a work ethic. Although I have fortunately not had any episodes of depression, I know a number of classmates who have. For me, medical school unearthed my ADD and that exacerbated difficulties with first year until I got on medication. There are two other students in my class who encountered the same issue and are doing much better now.

I find it offensive that many people have been telling the OP to toughen up. If you actually have depression, there is an underlying biochemical reason for it and that can be addressed with the help of a professional. Many individuals cannot will themselves out of depression- that is why there is a very prolific pharmaceutical industry to find new clever ways about making us feel better. I shudder at how some of you will view our depressed patients- tell them to buck up?

I also understand the OP. First year was abysmmal. For those of you who did not feel this way- good for you. If the OP can pull it out and not have to repeat the year, that will be better for her. Second year is more than just mindless memorization and she will probably thrive in the clinical years if she enjoys active learning.