Medical school demands are intense, both physically and mentally and this can be quite an adjustment for new students. There is a lot of pressure to get a lot of work done in a short period of time, and more often than not, this can lead to burnout. Not only will this affect your productivity but your overall physical health may also suffer. Before you let your work load get the better of you, take a look at these few tips to help you recognise and overcome study burnout.
Recognise the symptoms of burn out
The symptoms of burn out can often affect you long before you even realise that something is wrong. The sooner you recognise the symptoms of burn out, the sooner you can take the steps to get yourself back on track. Things to look out for include:
– Indifference to studying
– Feelings of inadequacy
– Fatigue and exhaustion
– Unwillingness to studying
– The inability to absorb more information
– An overall decline in academic performance
Find effective ways to manage your time
Re- evaluate which work is of the most importance and go from there. Rather than read an 800 page book in one sitting, take note of what your lecturers want you to know and focus on that specific area until you’ve caught up.
If you find yourself struggling with your work load, reach out to fellow students and lecturers, because their advice and support will be invaluable. Don’t leave everything to the last minute. Begin studying early as soon as you start a new topic and catch up with yourself when you have the time.
Developing your own routine and learning how to manage your time in a way that works for you will help you to feel less stressed too. Whether that’s by creating a study plan on an app, using to do lists or charting off time and subjects on a calendar, getting organised about how your time will be spent can lift some of the pressure.
Aim to pass, not exceed expectations
Of the biggest problems that medical students face is the pressure to consume as much knowledge as possible. The more pressure you put on yourself to study harder, the more likely you are to tire yourself out. You will not benefit from trying to learn everything all at once, so create a study plan based around your syllabus and work outwards from there.
Spend time on yourself
It’s untrue that you can’t go to medical school and have a life. Eating healthy, getting enough sleep and making sure you spend time with friends and family are a priority when you’re studying for a medical degree. Denying yourself time to relax will put your body and your mind under more stress, and will increase the feeling of burn out. Make sure you find the time to take care of yourself.