Friday, August 17, 2007

Failed

Despite being caffeinated and drinking lots of water, I failed in my attempt to stay up all night studying. I'm getting old folks. Actually, I'm just out of practice. During college, I pulled many an all-nighter. In fact, on two separate occasions I pulled back-to-back all-nighters. And back then, I only used water! Surely I still have this stay-up-all-night ability in me.

As I've heard many medical school professors say, "Sleep is for the weak." Although I only had four hours of sleep, I'm feeling a bit weak for not being able to pull off the all-nighter. Two-thirty a.m. hit and my eyes just wouldn't stay open and I had a horrible headache. Perhaps I'm tough for being able to withstand the "big, bad buzz" of the Monster energy drink?

Sorry to disappoint if you thought this post was going to be about failing in medical school. I'll make it up to you in the near future -- hopefully not because I failed my upcoming exams!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear DC Med Student, listen to your body, let it tell you what it needs and respond accordingly. If at 2:30 AM it is saying "I need rest" then let it rest. Remember the old adage "physician heal thyself!" -- if you are not healthy yourself, your efforts at bringing health to others is greatly diminished. Besides, "all-nighters" are usually over-rated in terms of their effectiveness. I know you will do all that you need to do in order to reach your goals -- just be careful kiddo so as not to harm yourself and your own health. Your Takoma Park friend.

Unknown said...

I like your blog. I'm working on getting into medical school, and it's nice to read about someone's experiences in the trenches. I have learned that weaning one's self off of caffeine is the trick. I used to get so tired and irritable, so I'd down more coffee. My brother swore to me that it was a caffeine, but it took me four years to believe him! Have a coffee for breakfast, and then stick to decaffeinated stuff for the rest of the day. It works!

DC Med Student said...

Thanks, Anne. Actually, I normally don't take any caffeine. I stick to water and juice most of the time. It's only about once every 6 weeks or so that I'll get some coffee -- usually a soy white chocolate mocha -- in an attempt to stay awake longer. It usually doesn't work. I don't know what made me buy the energy drink yesterday. You'd think I'd learn. So, yes, I agree with your brother: caffeine is bad!

Anonymous said...

I'm the same - last exams was the first time I couldn't pull and all nighter when i wanted to - - and it freaked me out. It also made me realise how much I depended on this 'study strategy' to make it through. Which makes me think - if this is a life long learning career, how the hell am I going to make it!! Changes need to be made - !