How to force myself to study?

[paparaciii]

Hi, I'm 22 and had 4 years break from studying(didn't go to university or college after high school).
Now I'm first year med student and probably this 4 year pause has done some great damage to my ability to study. I JUST CAN'T FORCE MYSELF TO STUDY! It is like a nightmare. Sometimes it seems to me that nothing can be harder than concentrating and studying. For example, I got up at 9.00 this morning and all day have been "preparing" myself for serious studying - drank two strong coffees, brought order on my desk... did everything but studying. It is 4 pm now and I haven't even opened a book. I feel miserable, afraid(from consequences of not studying) and weak. Am I sick or what??!!
The first examinations are not that far away and if I keep going this way, I won't be able to pass them.

Has anyone expierenced anything like this? What are your techniques on studying?

Thanks in advance!

[CaribMD]

if you have a free day like I do, break it up in periods, you do not "Have all day"

sample

Decide today's goal then you can start.

Lets say to read 50 pages, OK

read for an hour then stop, read another hour then stop..... do it like this. Play music if you like, TV if you can just listen, but if less distractions needed then do that.

Plan on treats like shows and dinner breaks.

This can work, include the net too, only post or surf on breaks, I do this myself.

Plan to succeed!

[elxr06]

make studying fun and not boring.

And maybe you want to keep a motivational tool for yourself. Like you want to treat yourself to a nice dinner one day at your favorite restaurant, but make that your prize if you get the grade you want on your first exam.

Then you plan, how are you going to get your prize?

and don't try to study if you're tired. not good.

[Vince1986]

My motivation is that this will be my life in a few years.....studying everyday. In a way the MCAT prepares for the habits for medical students.

This test is one of the most important factors in your acceptance in med school, so why not try your hardest if you are serious? You do not want to retake this exam again nor do you want to fail because you wanted to play video games or etc. instead.

All these distractions - going out partying, playing video games, TV etc. - are fun, but this is going to be your whole life; you have the rest of your life to do all these "insignificant" things...but just for these couple of months, if you can put your fun life on hold and instead use it to pursue something greater; a future in medicine. If you compare watching Tv for a whole day vs. becoming a doctor....its no contest to chose studying if your serious about medicine.

Just keep thinking, every little bit counts; every question you do, every hour you read; every thought on a subject or strategy is just one step closer to that dream. And when you finally arrive, you can pat yourself on the back and appreciate the difficult but rewarding journey that you have pushed yourself.

Although there are always people who can easily score decent mcat score without much studying...but everyone is born with what they have and its up to you to maximize your abilities as a person. My mottoe is "The one who is willing to die studying gets the A."

[ASMA]

Me too I have problem that when I'm preparing my self for the mock exam of medicine I found that I forgot what I studied along the year as if I read it for the first time & when trying answer cases & mcqs , the questions nearly in all subjects ( our resource is Davidson `s principle & practice of medicine ) , the mock exam is about 7 days away & the final exam at Dec. 1st ,I'm just confused I have to prepare for medicine ,surgery or pediatrics I don’t know what I have to do ,I need some advice of u guys…. thax & lol .