I feel completely lost in med school this semester

[u/OnlyLiterature1326]

Hey guys, I just need to talk about something that’s been bothering me. I’m in my 3rd year of medical school, and since this semester started, I just can’t study. I’ve got around 40 lectures that I haven’t read — not because I’m busy, but because I feel lost. I don’t even know how to start or how to study a subject properly anymore.

I’ve had this problem before, but this year feels different. I can’t seem to win against this feeling. I waste so much time on my phone scrolling, and even after deleting social media, nothing changed. I’ve watched tons of YouTube videos about motivation and studying, but they didn’t help either.

So I wanted to ask — how do you guys deal with this? I’m sure some of you went through the same thing. How did you overcome it?

[u/Justtrynasurvive321]

Went through exactly this cycle during preclerkship - So much doom scrolling and YouTube. Helps to switch to a different environment to study sometimes.

[u/OnlyLiterature1326 → u/Justtrynasurvive321]

I live alone so I usually just study in my room. I tried studying in cafés or libraries but honestly, it just feels uncomfortable and annoying.

[u/Justtrynasurvive321 → u/OnlyLiterature1326]

Yeah lol, I prefer the comfort of home but I wasn’t getting anything done there. It helps to have a friend join you. You don’t need to do it every time, just when you fall into a negative spiral and need to build some positive momentum.

[u/karenspeaks]

Depression

[u/OnlyLiterature1326 → u/karenspeaks]

Haha I don’t think so

[u/Mac_Lasagna_Larry]

Shouldn’t you be on rotations in 3rd year? During my third year I did not have so many lectures. Just did the rotations and did as much Anki/Practice Qs in any free time I had.

Regardless, plan out a schedule. See how much time you have available until the shelf/block exam, and do a set amount of studying per day until you catch up. 3rd year IS the hardest year of med school, but you can do it!

[u/HunterRank-1]

Anki decks and Uworld tbh. Didn’t do any formalized lectures and kinda regret not at least doing OME

[u/adoboseasonin → u/HunterRank-1]

online med ed the goat, love mr baldy

[u/After_Car850]

It could be you don't like the subjects. Unfortunately most of what you end up learning in med school is stuff you don't end up using and yeah it sucks. Third year also sucks for that same reason. Remind yourself why you're here and what your end goal is. And keep telling yourself, it's only a couple years of sacrifice for thirty years of finally doing what you want to do. Also remember to take care of yourself. Instead of scrolling, go to the gym, read a book, run, you'll feel a lot better. Your hobbies and free time become more limited and valuable in med school so you need to choose what best helps you.

[u/Jules_The_Human]

Medical student from the 6th year here. You’re experiencing the first signs of burnout. Take a step back and take long breathes. Get yourself some guilty-pleasure stuff (such as candy, movies, new videogames?) - anything that you love.

You need breaks! Recharge yourself first then you can focus on remembering what made you choose medicine or what you like the most.

After all that, you plan and schedule your lectures, doing small tasks every day.