I'm depressed ...?

Question

I'm a medical student, and I'll have my exam in 2 months. I need to pass the exam this year cause my mom pays too expensive for my education fee, and I really don't know what to say to her if I fail. I'm smart, I work hard, I review my lessons until 3am in the morning, I sleep only 3 hours a night, I don't shop or watch movies anymore, I study, study, study. But I always feel that I'll fail the exam, even I don't have any specific reason, but I know that I'll fail. I feel that all these struggles are for nothing and useless. I lose my confidence, and I'm depressed. I'm afraid that I could hurt myself if I finally fail my exam. What should I do?

I'm actually 18 now, and I live in France so I go directly to medical school after high school, okay?

Answer 1

There are so many students in your situation that you have no idea.

I also agree that you should see a counsellor. Not because there is something wrong with you, but because there is something wrong with the situation you've been put in. Your university will have one available, and they are there for you. It is a confidential and professional way to deal with your very understandable stress.

By the way, three hours sleep is not enough. Even 6 hours is not enough, but is a minimum to function properly. Do yourself the favour of getting six hours every night, minimum. Even the hardest working medical students do six hours a night. You cannot retain information without sleep. You can study, but your brain needs time to sort your short-term memory into your long-term memory. It does this during sleep, and only during sleep. You cannot expect to remember information without sleep. Neither can you expect to be emotionally stable, energetic, or have concentration.

Most importantly, take that step to see the counsellor. Why? Becuase nobody on these boards can help you enough to get you through what you're going through. Someone suggested medication. I don't usually agree with that, but seeing a counsellor is a first step to that as well.

Most importantly, I would like to say that you must be an incredibly gifted and motivated person to be doing what you're doing at your age. You could obviously accompish anything you liked, and for that reason medical school is lucky to have you. There is a long life beyond school, and don't forget it. Remember that you are in control of everything you do, but you cannot control anything else. You'll study hard, you'll finish the exam, and then life will go on no matter what the outcome of that exam. Your parents will still love you, no matter the outcome of the exam and your future is still very bright regardless of the outcome of that exam. All you must do is work hard, so that when you've written the exam you can say that you did everything you could. Then the rest is out of your hands, and you must relax. Be proud of your effort, and learn to accept the outcome. Life will go on either way.

Answer 2

I wish to assure you that you will pass the exam, and not only you will pass but would do extremely good. You must be wondering how I can say that with confidence, well from what you have written it seems that you have prepared well and only thing that you lack is the confidence. Therefore it is not the subject which bothers you, it is the confidence which scares you of the failure. You need to practice to build confidence in your self.

I would give you a small exercise to build up your confidence, do it every day and you will notice yourself that things have improved. First of all stop telling your self that you will fail. Start telling your self that you definitely pass. Say that to your self at least ten times every morning first thing when you wake up, preferably standing in front of a mirror. Start telling your self that your are the best child of the best mother who wishes to do so much for you.

Second exercise

Every two hours stop studying and close your eyes and think about something nice that you may like to remember, think hard if you have to. The idea is break the monotony which you have created by only thinking about studies. All work and no play makes one dull.

Do your best and leave the reward to GOD and have faith that HE will never let you down.

Wishing you all the best and may God bless you.

Answer 3

You sound like you are under a lot of pressure! Try deep breathing and trying to relax. I suffer from the same problem of worrying for no reason, I guess just to worry!
I downloaded a meditation program called 'My Secret Garden', (you can google it) and it really does work! It helps you relax and deal with the feelings of pressure and anxiety neatly and quickly so you can get on with things.
I, too, used to study more than everyone else it seemed and always just passed exams by the skin of my teeth. I still don't know why. I mean my exam marks would be a good 30% below my regular work. If this is the case with you, you may want to talk to your university's Learning and Counselling Center, they usually have group discussions on this sort of thing where you won't feel so alone. They can also refer you to a private counsellor if thay is what you prefer.
Good luck and don't worry you'll make it through! It is not a fluke you are in Medical School, it is because you are damn smart! Go girl!

Answer 4

what i think is that you need to get more sleep. three hours a day i snot enough for a student especially if you are going to write an exam. i think the reason you are thinking you are going to fail is because you think oh i am so stressed and you can't sleep. so my answer is get some sleep soon. a student needs about 7-9 hours sleep each day. you don't have to study, study and study. do not lose your confidence. i am betting you have won loads of exams before and i agree studying medicine is hard work. wake up in the morning and take a deep breath and think about all the exams you have passed. best of luck!!

Answer 5

Visit a counselor or therapist (your school should have at least one), and let it all spill. This is overwhelming you. Also, take a few minutes out of each day to ABANDON the books -- yes, that's right -- and reconnect with the world through a walk, a chat with a friend, music, visiting an art gallery, and even a nap. You are burning out.

Lastly, hope for the best but prepare for the worst. So if you fail, so what? Life teaches us that it's all about rebuilding, and moving on despite what is thrown our way. Aim high, but remember if you fall short, you're still a good person and there are many good reasons to keep your self strong.

Best,

Sunset

Answer 6

Prozac. For real. It can truly help a person through school. As long as you have a back up plan when you come off the med, you should be fine. I don't go for the new antidepressants. I like the ones that have been around 20+ years, so I know what the long term effects are.

It sounds like you're ridden with anxiety and have a lot on your shoulders. There is nothing wrong with getting some medicinal help now and then. Good luck and be proud of yourself for coming this far!

Answer 7

Be positive !!! Why are you putting your self down for no reason. You have to go to take that exam with a positive attitude and knowing that you did and will continue doing the absolute best. Don't beat your self so hard all those exams are all ready enough of a beat, cause they are so hard. Just prepare your self and do your absolute best and more. Don't doubt your self now cause you will fail eventually since that is what your mind is projecting.

Answer 8

I evaluate myself a author (a minimum of, I write) and that i'm not depressed. yet frustration or maybe unhappiness is something that comes from writing, simply by fact, as somebody else suggested earlier me, you at the instant are not basically feeling your individual united statesand downs, yet your characters besides. i'm an quite emotional individual, i'll confess, and that i'm getting worked up over stuff that possibly I shouldn't. Does how writing is going for me result my temper? i think of so. Writing is, for people who're enthusiastic approximately it, a sort of launch of their innermost self, and while impulsively something happens and that launch gets up on carry, it gets all bottled up. i assume that's why I call author's Block a ailment. you're being slowly tormented to dying by utilising the techniques which you won't be in a position to write. Haha, so yeah. Are all writers emotional people? i think of so. Are all of them depressed? i'll ought to disagree with that one, although they extremely all could be depressed at distinctive circumstances.

Answer 9

Take some time off from your studies. Go watch a movie or do some shopping to get your mind to relax & forget about the exams. It's like taking a holiday & coming back with a new aproach.

Answer 10

It sounds as if you don't really want to pursue a career in medicine. Be sure that this is what you want to do for YOU, not your mom.

If this is what you want, then do it and do it with a passion. Stop struggling with it and begin enjoying what you are studying. Worrying about the exam isn't going to make it any easier. Enjoying what you are doing will make it easier. You might think about sleep deprivation as being a little counter-productive as well.