Hi Jude. I'm a first-year medical student about to finish second semester and I´ve been struggling with it. I´ve felt this way for a few months now but it's reached a really bad point and my grades are starting to falter. I was doing fine at the beginning of the semester but recently I've been so overwhelmed with all the exams and the work and can't seem to get started. I've delivered all of my assignments on time but I procrastinate really badly, even when I have weeks to do the work I wait till the last minute to actually do the assignment, and it´s been affecting my sleeping schedule. I get so overwhelmed to the point I get paralyzed and can't seem to get started. I'm trying to stay organized, I have a weekly planner, made a schedule, set reminders on my phone, I try to do everything right to plan appropriately and avoid getting overwhelmed, but when I actually sit down I just can't get started. I stare at the assignments unable to do any work and just get so frustrated I almost start crying. I've missed a bunch of classes and might even fail an elective class because I missed an exam (which makes me so angry because it's a really easy elective and I actually enjoy taking it). My life seems to revolve around school at this point. I'm afraid I might be burnt out or going through a depressive episode, I'm tired all the time, I'm irritable, I'm sad or angry most of the time and I don't feel joy for things that I used to enjoy. I can't afford burnout or depression right now and it also makes me worry about the future, since I've heard this semester is easy compared to what's to come and I can't seem to keep up with the pace. I'd appreciate any advice you might have.
Thanks in advanced
Hey there,
Thank you for reaching out to Asking Jude. I am sorry to hear that you are going through this difficult situation. You were incredibly brave to ask for help; many people are unable to recognize when they are feeling burnt out, so it is great that you are self-aware and courageous enough to reach out for support. It definitely sounds like you are experiencing burnout and going through a depressive episode. Burnout often seems all-consuming, especially when the source of the burnout, which is medical school in your case, is the central focus of your life. Please understand that you are not alone. Society places significant pressure on students to succeed in academia while maintaining a healthy balance between work and life, but this expectation is unrealistic for the vast majority of students, especially those in graduate school.
Here are some general tips on how to combat burnout: https://thebestschools.org/magazine/how-to-avoid-burnout-in-college/.
The most important thing to remember is that self-care should be your highest priority. This could include exercising regularly, maintaining contact with friends and family, dedicating time to hobbies, and eating enough fruits and vegetables. You mentioned that you had created a schedule for your assignments and exams; on this schedule, try to include an hour or two in the morning or at night in which you prioritize self-care. You could try journaling or doing yoga in the morning before your classes, or maybe reading for a bit before bed. Regardless of what you choose to do, ensure that it will consistently reduce stress and bring joy into your life. It may take a few weeks to adjust to the new schedule, but these activities will eventually become habitual.
I would also highly recommend talking to the counselor on your campus. Most schools have a mental health counselor available to students. They are a fantastic resource, and they can talk through your situation to help you find a solution to your burnout. It sounds like you have already been doing great work on your own by making a schedule and setting reminders, but speaking with a specialist who has an objective view on the situation is often helpful in working through the situation. Though you can’t have ongoing therapy sessions with a college counselor, and they cannot diagnose you, their advice will likely reduce your burnout and help you adjust to the rigorous schedule. Here is some additional information on the role of a college counselor: https://www.counseling.org/membership/aca-and-you/university-college-counselors#:~:text=Whether%20working%20in%20a%20school,their%20strengths%20–%20and%20much%20more.
In addition to your college counselor, it is also important to keep in touch with friends and family for support. They know you well and should be willing to help you in whatever way they can. If you try to make changes in your life but continue to feel burnt out, you could also consider taking a semester or two off from medical school. The idea of taking a break from school can seem daunting, especially if it's all you have known for your whole life. However, try to remember that it is completely common for graduate students to take breaks; many people find themselves in a similar situation to you and decide that a temporary break from academics would be beneficial to their mental and physical well-being. This does not mean you are quitting, and there is absolutely no shame in taking a temporary break.
Here is an article that discusses common reasons people take a temporary break from school: https://scholarships360.org/college-admissions/should-i-take-a-break-from-college/.
Regardless of what you decide to do, it is vital that you be kind to yourself during this difficult time. One reason you may be feeling burnt out is because you are placing pressure on yourself, so try to regularly remind yourself that you are doing the best you can, and that everything will work out eventually. I hope that some of this information was helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Asking Jude again if you have any further questions.
Good luck,
Andrea