Burned out

So for the 2nd time I am attending 4th year of university. I didn’t pass all exams last year so I had to retake two exams, which I passed so now I’m done with school until next semester which starts in late september.

Reading to the exams were a pain, not because I find it boring or anything but school after x amount of years gets repetitive. But I’m very much looking forward to relaxing for some time until I’m back at the bench this september. Only thing that worries me is that I’ll burn out and not pass, and having to retake exams again..

My question is, how do I gather the strength and motivation to do as well as I did the first 3 years? I’m burned out, I want this diploma, but its killing me.
Also 37% of the class failed the last exam, so I’m really happy I passed. But where do I go from this point moving forward? Should I take less courses each year? Do I take a year off uni? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hey @Hex

Do you simply have trouble focusing?

Proper pharmaceutical intervention maybe necessary if so. I would reccomend making an appointment with a physician if you have the means and a referral to psychologist.

If it turns out to be adult diagnosed ADHD according to DSM-V, it IS treatable.

 

ADHD is very treatable, theres been medications for ADHD for many decades. And no, like the title says I am burned out. I don’t read as much as I should.
ADHD stands for «attention deficit hyperactivity disorder» which I am certain I don’t have. The problem is that I struggle finding the strength and motivation to read 4 hours each day and read all day for two weeks prior to my exams.

 

DSM-5 Criteria for ADHD

Would highly encourage reading that.

Having 5 of the below, according to the latest diagnostic protocol would render at least a visit to a physician.

I had this burnout. My life changed.

Spoiler: DSM V

 

I study medicine, and as far as my knowledge goes I don’t reckon I have any disorder stopping me from paying attention/fousing. I make great notes during class, and I show up at every lecture- problem is when I get home I don’t see to have the strength to sit down and read for another 4 hours. See what I mean?

Also what meds r u taking? Strattera, ritalin, concerta?

 

Started with those, then moved to Vyvanse, 50mg once a day.

If your medical school was like mine, I personally felt less burned out NOT going to lecutre, streaming them on 2.5-3x (yes we had slow profs), and then reviewing material later with a group or just alone. The burnout was real, even with Vyvanse. I was able to manage good grades but other problems started happening (irrelevant to burnout).

(was) 2nd year medical student in the USA

Decided it wasn't for me -> Tesla

 

No regrets? I swear most of what you learn the first years r things everyone should know. Did you have pathology during the two years?

My dad and sister drives tesla, everyone does here tbf since theres no tax on electric cars and you can drive in bus lanes and its free parking & charging. And diesel/petrol cars have mad taxes on them.

I was thinking of taking a java course in my spare time to see if I would be motivated doing something else for some time. I always wanted to do CS as a kid, but since most of my family r physicians they kind of expected the same for me.

 

No regrets. Love what I do with Tesla and their AI division.

I was in the same boat as you, most family physicians, kinda expected of me so it was a shock when I resigned.

Yes we had pathology (Dr. Sattar ftw), Zanki, etc etc - Grades were not a problem for me, it was something else.

To fight burnout I would strongly urge you to change your daily routine or add in some USMLE-rx cards / Zanki cards relevant to your lecture material. Also I switched from library to my room to my lobby every 3-4 weeks, kind of on a rotating basis otherwise I would get too accustomed to one. Maybe try that?

 

Your brain & body will get bored of the same thing over and over it again, especially when it comes to things like this.

Change your routine around a bit, try something new, think outside the box of just sitting at home being bored with lots of other
things around to do. Go study in a park, public place, coffee, throw yourself out into a different routine doing the same stuff.

 

How much can one handle if they must do this for nearly a decade straight?

 

Whenever I study with friends it becomes easier, however this time of the year most friends are home with their family.
Study in the park? Brother I live North of the polar circle

^ what he said. Its just too convenient to study at home, but I see where you are coming from. Doing something else every now and then is nice, but I can’t manage it every day. Thank you for the suggestion tho.