<p>Hello All!
I am in my second semester and have been studying a lot more and keeping a study schedule and am proud to say that my grades have improved immensely. However, I am not used to studying this hard and sometimes, I get lazy/burned out. How do I avoid this? How can I get myself to work consistently at the same level every day?</p>
<p>Give yourself a break. Everybody gets lazy and burned out at times. Real and lasting motivation comes from valuing something highly and then doing what it takes to get that “thing”. Stay balanced in your life- mind, body, spirit. Don’t neglect any part of it or it will bite you in the :eek:. This is not a sprint. It’s your life. Keep your eye on the prize. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish if you stay focused yet balanced.</p>
<p>Thank you Curm! I completely understand how vital it is for having a balance in life! However, I am still stuck in the B/B+ range for my science classes and I really want to break into that A- threshold. I am convinced that if I were to work harder I could get there. </p>
<pre><code> It seems like I am not working hard enough since my successful friends only take 1 night off their studies while I take 3.
I stumbled across one pre med blog that listed the things he/she needed to get down for the day and when they were completed, he/she blogged about it. I think I might try that! It sounds like a very good way to keep myself on track.
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<p>I know it may not be easy for anyone to achieve this nowadays (including me): While you are studying, get far far away from any modern (and not so modern) gadgets, like smartphone (if you have this), computer, and TV. These could distract you when you study.</p>
<p>It is not like you need to be anti-technology. Just do not let one of these gadgets “own” you too much.</p>
<p>It is not me, a parent, who thinks a student in your age should do this. It is DS, who was about your age 4 years ago, told me that many college students who are distracted too much by computers tend to study less efficiently. He was a student who did better than B/B+ in college and I believe he still went out for his club activities one to two times a week back then. (likely not as often now, as an MS1.)</p>
<p>There’s also significant cognitive research about more efficient ways to study:</p>
<p>1) don’t study in one location all the time. Move around to different places (Knowledge inadvertently becomes associated with one locale and become harder to recall elsewhere)
2) study a cluster of related skills together rather than focussing on just one thing
3) quiz yourself. Take a literal quiz before you end a study session. (Students retain knowledge better when tested than when just studying)
4) Optimal retention occurs if you’re able to take a break between the study period and the test, (IOW, study hard leading up to the test, but not the night before. The night before do something else. True for both knowledge based info [memorization] and skill based [math problem solving].)</p>
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Echoing what other posters have said, maybe it’s not working harder that you need. Maybe it’s working smarter. I agree with you that B/B+ is not getting it done. WOWmom and mcat2 have made good suggestions. I’m betting your school has modalities available to you that can offer even more. Take advantage of them.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice! As parents of med students, your advice has always been really great!
@WOWM: I really like your tips! I haven’t considered them and will definitely try them out! The quizzing method seems really effective!
@mcat: I used to be a laptop junkie but I have put it away while I study. I agree! Technology is too much of a distraction!
@curm I have already visited my school’s learning assistants/tutors. Their tips are responsible for bringing my grades up so much in one semester. I might see them again to refine some of the advice that they gave me! </p>
<p>Thank you all! 
Sorry if this question is the typical pre med neurotic question, I just want this so bad!</p>
<p>Un-related activities has helped my D. She liked her Music minor as an R & R and she was heavily engaged in Greek and other college life activities. Also, she managed to mix her hard and easy classes every semester. She never had more than 3 hard classes per semester. You have to know what is easier for you and what is harder. There is no other way but to spend ton of time working hard in classes that require memorization (at least for my D.). However, “conceptual” classes, Music, Foreign language are easier (unfortunately D. did not have time to take more than one semester of the foreign language at college, but continuing taking it at Med. School - outside of regular school program). There is no question that exercise is making studying much more efficient, somehow it clears the brain.</p>