What's the longest you've sustained "beast mode"?

[GapLustrum]

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I seem to at best be able to string together 3 or 4 really productive days that I'm proud of before I relapse into a compulsive loop of wasting time for at least half a day. What's the secret to avoiding these relapses of accomplishing nothing after bursts of great effort? I know I'll need to do better to pass med school.

 

[TMC07]

28 years and counting

 

[mimelim]

I worked 22 straight days last month, each on average ~15 hours long.

I think the secret is that everyone has their limits of energy and attention span that can be extended somewhat, but is ultimately can't be stretch a ton. It sounds a little trite, but medical training is a marathon. I didn't understand that phrase until I actually started training for a marathon. You can not measure productivity in windows of one week or less. You have to build schedules that you can maintain long term, even if that means that your individual 3-4 day windows are less productive than they could be. I am on SDN because I enjoy it. I run and climb because I enjoy it. I schedule my non-academic hobbies/pursuits into my week and globally, it keeps me more productive academically.

 

[efle]

36 minutes

 

[libertyyne]

.5 seconds

 

[787593]

I seem to at best be able to string together 3 or 4 really productive days that I'm proud of before I relapse into a compulsive loop of wasting time for at least half a day. What's the secret to avoiding these relapses of accomplishing nothing after bursts of great effort? I know I'll need to do better to pass med school.

Caffeine during the day

Other substances at night

 

[787593]

I seem to at best be able to string together 3 or 4 really productive days that I'm proud of before I relapse into a compulsive loop of wasting time for at least half a day. What's the secret to avoiding these relapses of accomplishing nothing after bursts of great effort? I know I'll need to do better to pass med school.

30 seconds.

Btw, it was the best 30 seconds of my life...

Holla if you got that reference 😉

 

[Lucca]

I had a pretty productive thesis writing week. Was proud of that. Now I can't seem to focus on anything...

 

[aprilfools]

Depends. I've had crazy hours at my 2 jobs the last three weeks where if you include commuting to each, I'm working 16 hour days but still manage to workout 3-5 times/week.

Climbing/hiking I've been at significant altitude for 9 days, but alternatively in a much colder enviornment, carrying a lot more weight, hiking far more each day, for 3 very long days.

Your body and mind are capable of a lot more than where you typically push them to.

In general, I think I avoid stress and can be productive when I need to be by working hard when I am working, but being totally "off" and sometimes doing absolutely nothing when I do have free time.

 

[mwsapphire]

I had a pretty productive thesis writing week. Was proud of that. Now I can't seem to focus on anything...

But you're a SENIOR, you can afford to get lazy.

 

[enchantediris]

I had a pretty productive thesis writing week. Was proud of that. Now I can't seem to focus on anything...

I feel you. I had quite a crazy month where I studied a decent amount before taking my MCAT in January, then proceeded to catch up in the classes I had been pushing off work for in favor of MCAT studying (about a month's worth of homework and lecture notes), and aced three midterms in February. Unfortunately, March has been a such a mess and I feel like I finally have some down time, but I don't feel like doing anything! I just want to graduate and not have to do homework for a while, haha.

 

[Turkishking]

1 year

 

[deleted781806]

But you're a SENIOR, you can afford to get lazy.

That's hilarious.

 

[Gurkhali]

7 hours. I wrote a 15 page research paper sophomore year because I misread the syllabus on the due date. Turned it in 30 min before it was due. I've been chasing that high ever since and I don't think I'll quite reach it.

I'm a serial procrastinator and I'm trying to better myself. I'll try tomorrow...eh maybe the next day

 

[ifnotnowwren]

I seem to at best be able to string together 3 or 4 really productive days that I'm proud of before I relapse into a compulsive loop of wasting time for at least half a day. What's the secret to avoiding these relapses of accomplishing nothing after bursts of great effort? I know I'll need to do better to pass med school.

Meh I am in med school and do need bouts of nothing in order to return to beast mode. We didn't have a break before our last block transition and I really started to feel burnt out, behind, and as if I was not as focused/interested/engaged as I had been in other blocks. I did fine but I did not get as much out of that block as I had hoped, and I already have forgotten information from it, whereas I still remember a good deal from previous blocks. I am definitely not the only person who feels this way. Now, returning after spring break, I am completely revitalized and hit the ground running. I say give yourself some breaks every few days, otherwise the breaks are just going to seep into your day to day. Or...plan some breaks into your day to day, so that you don't need a break every few days. While there is some beast mode in medical school (the week and especially the weekend before the tests), I think the key has been just consistently studying daily, not necessarily beast mode studying, but studying nonetheless. I hold myself accountable on a weekly basis as opposed to a daily basis. It's ok if I get behind, as long as I rectify it by the end of the week, if that makes sense. My weeks end up being relatively balanced.

 

[CharlieBillings]

The 100 days I worked 50 hours a week and studied for the MCAT during the night.

 

[PB&Jam]

15 days of total MCAT boot camp study lockdown after my finals last may. I realized that my exam was coming up on the 20th, and while I had done some studying during the semester, it was nowhere near the level I needed to feel prepared. So I spent 10 hours a day for fifteen days going over content and practice questions using the Kaplan books, taking practice exams, and listening to/watching Kahn academy videos. I interspersed this with a workout regimen, which honestly did so much to keep me focused.

 

[Salmanium Chloride]

1 minute.
2 minutes while on Addy.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

30 seconds.

Btw, it was the best 30 seconds of my life...

Holla if you got that reference 😉

She's my wife now.

 

[787593]

10/10

#winning
#yuge
#bigly

She's my wife now.