<p>When things don't go as desired or planned, what do you guys do to get through this life without getting mad, overwhelmed or depressed?</p>
<p>Below are what's currently really bothering me:</p>
<p>-I just scored a 40% on my physiology midterm, 10% lower than the average, despite putting in so much effort and worrying into it. I'm going to be a senior and I've never felt so defeated before. I'm going to talk to the prof tomorrow about how I should proceed in the course, but I seriously feel like a loser for having to do this.
-I need to write essays for several award applications, whose deadlines are less than two weeks away.
-I blew away 20 hours of my planned study period this weekend because I was depressed, couldn't concentrate and just wasn't motivated. What I did instead was I indulged in a lot of fun activities that I normally turn down. While doing those activities, I repeatedly thought to myself, "I shouldn't be doing this now," but I just couldn't help myself. I think I'm out of my mind. Maybe I have some issues with impulse control. I really suck at just sucking it up. Now I have a 20-hour worth of material to catch up, which will be added to next week's new material. This will make my life even harder, considering that my schedule is tight with other ECs.</p>
<p>I seriously want to dump, abandon and forget everything and just go live in some isolated place.</p>
<p>1) The road to becoming a doctor is not without it’s struggles. If you want to do it, you have to deal with some difficulties along the way. </p>
<p>2) That said…getting into med school should never preclude you from having fun and doing things you enjoy. That’s absolutely unhealthy. You may not be able to party like the business majors, but the fact that you know it was 20 hours is disturbing to me. I mean seriously, life is about balance, and if you’re feeling guilty for doing things you like…well I feel sorry for you. </p>
<p>3) If you need to allot 20 hours in a weekend to studying, you’re doing it wrong. You absolutely need to study smarter rather than harder. There has to be a way to be more efficient with your time.</p>
<p>OP’s problem has nothing to do with being pre-med or wanting to go to med school. </p>
<p>you aren’t the only one in college who is taking classes nor are you taking the hardest classes by any stretch of the imagination</p>
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<p>both excellent pieces of advice. there should always be time for focused studying and time for relaxation and fun. you should not think about one when doing the other. also, unless you are coming upon an exam week there is absolutely no reason you should be spending 20 hours studying during the weekend. If you’ve been spending your college career studying this much, doing ECs and not really having much fun you are probably burned out by now…you need to reassess your study habits and become more efficient.</p>
<p>Hey Bkiersted,
I really recommend that you see a counselor. While it’s normal to feel depressed or anxious sometimes, it really sounds as though you need to talk to someone. They will probably be able to recommend some study techniques/time management skills that will aid you in doing better academically, but most importantly, personally. Most schools offer free counseling services that are completely confidential…try it out. In the meantime, every time that you feel compelled to point out your flaws, take some time to write down those things that make you an awesome person. By focusing on the positives, I find it easier to get through the difficult moments. Best of luck to you. :)</p>
<p>If you blow off studying to do something fun, at least do that fun activity wholeheartedly. Instead of thinking “I shouldn’t be doing this”, think “Wow, what a fun way to take a break from studying. What a perfect way to relieve some stress and depression!”</p>
<p>In my experience, 20 hours of depressed studying is no better than 5 hours of happy, focused studying.</p>
<p>PND, I was thinking about that too, but the OP expressed too much interest in side activities. I’d have been much more worried about it if it was too LITTLE. Not to Internet diagnose or anything – it’s not like I’m an MD anyway – but it sounded to me more like burnout?</p>
<p>Hey BDM,
I think OP has a bad case of “stress-itis” that’s interfering with his/her mood and life.
No need to diagnose, just wanted to recommend he/she talk to someone about it. He/She’s not the first person to go through this, and if he/she’s prone to stress will likely struggle in the future as well. Best to get some coping strategies early in the game.</p>