Ana Paula arantes vianna
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Hi there I am really glad that I can get to this forum to ask you guys this question and that is:
I would like to ask for some advice as to what I should do as far as motivation goes; I am studying for the usmle step1 but what I do is stay in my house studying for it…
By the way I am feeling when I do that, that I am not really making a lot of progress, I am originally from Denmark.
The thing is that when I am home I tend to feel lonely!!!
Do any of you feel like that too?
I tend to think that it might be emanating from the fact that I am in the beginning of studies so like I am not seeing the end of the tunnel yet as they say …
Could be my family which is really not motivating me?
It’s not a big thing to pass the usmle for medical students from the Denmark as it might be from some other countries like Pakistan or India for that matter so like actually Americans are in an all time low now as we see it…
And after the war we are just so disappointed with the US as a whole, that people are really not tending to leave Denmark like they used to say some 3 years ago…
People just think that it’s ok but no biggy really…
However back into my problem as I was saying I am so new to all this, like I don’t even see the point in being into these forums as I am so in the beginning of my studies.
I’ve not covered path and anatomy and behavioral micro…etc
None of that yet so not even getting much of these questions that some of you are posting here from time to time on this forum…
So the study sessions feel longer and I don’t cover a lot of material for the time that I am using for these study sessions so I get into this guilty trip that I don’t know where it’s coming from and I even tend to get kind of said on that too…
No body knows what the hell is the usmle around here…
I just want to do it because I got family in California but that is about it…
There is no body to study with around here…
People even feel like it’s weird to study for this exam as they tend to ask you why you want to go there.
I think that there is a probability of that might be coming from the fact that I am not being too productive probably as I am sort of depressed with all of this in the first place…
I think that a lot of my depression has to do with the fact that I am still at the beginning of my studies so I am not seeing the end of the tunnel as I said above, they say every thing seems to be so ephemerous in the beginning I don’t feel like I am palpating anything just as yet is that really true?
Meaning do some of you think that I should go into a library or something like that, I mean some of you feel like it’s more productive to study at home or not?
Probably I am not thinking that I am being much productive and that’s where the depression is coming from I guess…
Like as if you’re locked inside and like you’re missing out on something or maybe just wasting your time there or something like that I just get all distracted and stuff and feel like I am going no where…!
The thing is that I don’t get to feel much motivated at home
Well whatever it is I would like to know what is the best thing to do in situations such as these.
What some of you think about all this…?
Please anyone?
Nathalie,
Denmark.
::very_confused::
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| Ana Paula arantes vianna
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Well the best advice that I can give you Nathalie is hang in there…
As the sun can shine on the most dreadful days of a person’s life…
And I am sure that you have been in worst situations than these and you came out fine…
And last but not least you’re right
You’ll eventually get to like it more…
In the beginning it’s always the hardest, at least it was for me too. Hope that this can help you…
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| Ana Paula arantes vianna
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Well the best advice that I can give you Nathalie is hang in there…
As the sun can shine on the most dreadful days of a person’s life…
And I am sure that you have been in worst situations than these and you came out fine…
And last but not least you’re right
You’ll eventually get to like it more…
In the beginning it’s always the hardest, at least it was for me too. Hope that this can help you…
Ana Paula.
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| Alina T
Forum Elite
Topics: 17
Posts: 388
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hi nathalie,
i am at the very beginning too and i'd like to share with you some of my thoughts...
...i cant say i feel depressed as you say, but i do feel very anxiuos and nervous about all this; in fact, in the past few weeks i felt really stresses out, that i couldnt even sleep or eat well.
the amount of information that we have to cover is really scary and the fact that we just started makes it look like we'll never finish and we'll never be able to answer those questions like they do, right?
here's what i do...i stopped seeking for the end of the tunnel and i stopped getting frustrated about the fact that i cant answer those questions right now...i just concentrated on making an effective studying schedule, taking it step by step and answering the questions about the subjects that i already covered...and...it works, it makes me feel better. as one as my good friends told me, everybody goes through this stage, everybody had his doubts at the beginning...we're just getting the drops that will make the sea...
so stop thinking if this will take you anywhere or not, if americans love denmark or not, and stop feeling lonely on this road, 'coz YOU'RE NOT. just concentrate on studying as much as you can, try going to the library too, just for the sake of the change( i sometimes do it to, for variation...) and keep checking these forums...you can find useful information and...you can make good friends to support you. I think this is really what this forum is for...
wishing you all the best...
Alina
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There are 3 types of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened.
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| Cadeco
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 1
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Well don’t worry I am from Sweden and I know exactly what you mean
Let me tell you this that there are many things that you can do like:
Get web prep which includes audio and makes u feel in the class …
I am studying at home. Yes, I feel lonely sometimes and cannot concentrate. I always want to surf the internet. So I developed a strategy that I make a reading plan, like reading 60 pages a day. If I finish my plan, then in the rest of the day I can do anything which allures me. It works for me. After I finished my reading plan, I felt a kind of achievement and happy, and then I entertain myself with a movie or a game without guilty. There is a long way to go for us. Find a way to make yourself happy. , though I really want to take this exam & have my family fully supporting me but there r days when I am depressed & not motivated at all. I don't have anyone studying with me either but that’s my reason to come to this forum, it shows me that its not just me studying hard & giving up the fun, its so many of these people. Coming to the forum is my motivation. I know wt u mean when u say u don't see the point in reading the Q u don't know anything about, I’m at my first reading & often don't know the answers either. But sometimes there is some very good stuff posted here or the name of a good website which I save in my comp for further reference. Slowly as you keep going through your studies, there will come a point when you will be able to know the stuff that people are talking about & will enjoy it. Studying at home or at library is not that important, the key is staying focused. Ask yourself if u really want to take this exam, if the answerer is yes then don't care about people say, just do it,
I used to study at home but it didn't work. Then I started to go to a library, it slowly worked for me. I couldn't see the end of the tunnel yet but I was confident that I would see it. So I would say you will do better if you go to library. Another point is I don't think everybody coming to this forum have lot of students near by to study f or the USMLE either. I get friends and motivation from this forum. I don't have anybody nearby by other than people who don't know what the USMLE is either… lol. So you are the only one who will stand up for you, all the time. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!
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| Delmar
Forum Senior
Topics: 21
Posts: 128
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do u really want one good advice...well dont feel its a bit strange just do it and tell me after 
change ur room decoration move ur desk or even if its not a house on perm basis...move into a new 1 with a top view or smething...its change and i guess studying outside home is a waste of time no coffee no my best music , no my favorite boxers to stay with.... so either u make ur house a new comfy 1 or change it....+ some new friends would help..mmm what abt a nice Gyme or swmming spot they all help...
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VENI VIDI VICI
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| md2b
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 16
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Each person is different, and for some studying at home will be better, for others studying somewhere else. Sounds to me like the depression is just a sign of where you are mentally.....maybe not just in studies but in your personal life too?
Anyway, unless you can turn it around you are probably not going to be able to make progress...so resolving that should be your first priority. For me progress can be measured in little bits if I happen to be in a slump. Pick 3 things in any subject, spend a couple of hours playing with them, and learn them inside out. It helps to do it in a subject that you are NOT good in, because the satisfaction of having conquered those things is even greater. My most hated subject is biochem, so I do that there.
Look for other possibilities as to why you feel so low.....could it be you feel you are not going to be able to pass the step I (subconsciously), and its bringing you down? I think that happens to many of us at times. The key to moving on is figuring out what is holding you back, and changing it.
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| bbb
IM Program Coordinator
Topics: 32
Posts: 4,734
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Is there a local medical school that you could go to the library to study in? Or a local university? In a medical school, the students would be studying similar topics, etc, and maybe you would be able to make an acquaintance with them? It's certainly worth a try.
Good luck!!
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bbb - trying to combine common sense and humour into realistic answers, but not going to guess on anyone's chances of getting into a position....
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| azazelo
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 32
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Relax! Seneca ones said: "Non scholae sed vitae discimus" (We learn not for school but for life). Nothing is easy. You made a choice to become a doctor-not an easy task. So, just relax! Everything is going to be OK!
Remember: "Non uno die Roma aedificata est".
Good luck!
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| ceci
Forum Junior
Topics: 8
Posts: 60
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Hi,
There isn't one way to prepare the Exam and I agree with everybody who have replied. You might find the strategy that works best to you and it is good idea to experience some of suggestions posted.
Personally, I prefer to study at a library or a bar because it makes me concentrated and sticked on the chair, so I don't interrupt my study to prepare a cup of tea or to make something to eat. Make a study plan and keep it.
I am going to prepare the Step 1 and I find that it is more difficult to prepare the Step 1 than Step 2,but nothing helps you keeping depressed. You should find out why or what makes you feel like that and try to keep your goal in mind.
Good luck :wink:
Ceci
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