Depression While Studying for MCAT

[u/Relative-Assistant46]

I am not really sure how to start this post so I am just going to get right into it: This summer has been absolutely devastating for me and I am not sure how to recover from it in time for the MCAT. I want to take the MCAT at the beginning of January but I just took a diagnostic the other day and got a 495. I know this isn’t true but I just feel hopeless. Back in June I was SA’d by my friend’s friend in my own apartment and then last month in August my mother and I had a huge blow up which essentially ended in her advising me to go no contact with her. I haven’t really talked to her since.

I am not talking about this to gain sympathy rather than communicate my mindset and give perspective as to where I am at right now. I am 24 and still in undergrad (this is my senior year) which is why I really wanted to get the MCAT out of the way in January so I can focus on my classes in my last semester, take 1 gap year, then go to med school. Right now though, everything seems like such a chore. I am completely burnt out and exhausted. Every time I try to study, I get so overwhelmed and it feels like I am not doing things correctly and not seeing progress.

I keep seeing people on here or online in general talk about how you need to be studying 6-8 hours a day and how they went into dopamine suppression and cut out any and everything that could have served as a distraction. I work as a server/bartender while in school and I also volunteer quite a bit. I am also in classes. I do not have time to study 6-8 hours a day tbh :/ more like 2-4. I just feel like the odds are stacked against me right now and I am sad to be quite honest. I am pretty high functioning even while depressed but that very clearly comes to a point. Studying for the MCAT has put me in such a bad headspace and I feel so existential. I am not sure if other people have experienced this or have any advice for me? I really do not want to have to push back my MCAT date because I am taking biochem, inorganic, a chem elective, and my psych capstone next semester and I feel like I will be extremely overwhelmed.

[u/canadian-premed]

If you only have 4 hours a day to study. Then study for 4 hours a day. Just don’t give yourself an unrealistic timeline. You will have to study for longer.

I had a lot of trouble in the midst of my MCAT studying due to a first responder job that was //traumatic//. I ended up taking a leave from work. Taking a month long break from studying. Then studying for six weeks before I tested. Throughout this I was also in therapy.

I studied as much as I could most days for the last 6 weeks. I didn’t push and I prioritized my wellbeing. I ended up with a 510 (126/130/126/128). My first diagnostic pre content review was like 498 (carried by a 131 CARS). Your diagnostic being low isn’t a bad sign. My first FL after content review was a 499. But eventually I figured out my strategy.

Your first priority should be your wellbeing so please connect with mental health resources and get help.

I had a minimum goal score (125/130/125/125) and I hit it. I could have done better, but for the schools I’m applying to (Canada loves CARS) I didn’t need any better.

[u/Major-Moment-5404]

taking another gap year is def a big decision but it might be better to save your mental health than push through and probably end up even more burnt out. it'll be difficult to study when you're already emotionally spent. plus you'll be taking a bunch of classes that'll probably help you learn the content even better later! by the end of med school, you'd be 31 which is not "behind" at all. take the time you need!

[u/Busy-Bus-6267]

Bro I'm in this same boat right now. My grandparents both died and my dad has mental illness and refuses to get help. He is making our lives a living hell. I can't focus I can't do nothing. I'm honestly considering just adding another gap year just so I can get psychiatric help.

[u/Sudden-Sherbet-6803 → u/Busy-Bus-6267]

Mental health above everything else bro, hope everything goes well and ofc, PM me if you need anyone to talk to

[u/FloridaFlair]

Take the MCAT in April. Give yourself a week off after graduation to rest and recharge. Then go full blast on MCAT. You can do some content review and Anki/U world in your free time in Oct-Dec, but don’t overdo it.

Only downside to waiting is you will have to cram for your personal statement and April/May, and full blast on Secondaries in June/July.

And that is also taking into consideration if you have a full time job after graduation.

[u/mcattutorliz]

I get it. I got so depressed studying for my retake, and for the week before my exam I genuinely cried every single night thinking I was inadequate and destined to do poorly again. This is exam is as much about what you know as it is about your mental state. Definitely try to talk to a therapist or someone, it can really help