How To Avoid Burnout While Studying for Medical PG Exam?

Medical PG Entrance Exams is among India’s most challenging and competitive exams, where millions of medical graduates compete against each other to grab seats in the top medical government, as well as private, institutes. Though the success rate of these exams is on the lower end, it still does not affect the number of candidates appearing for the exam every year. 

Having said that, students feel a sense of pressure, anxiety, and stress quite commonly, prior to taking this exam. During the Medical PG preparation, there will be instances where you constantly feel intimidated by the volume of the syllabus, or disinterested in your studies, which could mean one thing – that you are experiencing study burnout, and the problem is, that this could lead to affecting your percentile. 

Before we proceed, let’s take a quick look at the top 10 ways to avoid burnout while studying for the Medical PG Entrance Exam. 

1. Set a timetable and follow it.
2. Take regular mock exams.
3. Meditate, read, or take a walk.
4. Pursue a hobby.
5. Get enough sleep.
6. Avoid overthinking. 
7. Spend quality time with family.
8. Maintain a balanced diet.
9. Follow an exercise regime.
10. Stick to your study plan.

If you want to avoid burnout while studying for the Medical PG exam, stick to the tips provided in this list. Let’s get right to it.

What is burnout, and why does it occur while preparing for the Medical Postgraduate?

Boredom, feeling stressed, and lack of enthusiasm – these are common feelings that every candidate goes through, after a long day of back-to-back lectures, studies, and presentations. Even feeling like taking a short break 2-3 days after extensive working is common, especially among NEET PG aspirants, as they are around books 24*7. The sad part is that the course load and syllabus, not to forget the looming pressure of the final exam and the need to achieve a high rank, does not allow aspirants to take a break – further paving the path to a study burnout. 

Clearing the Medical Postgraduate Exam is no less than a dream come true for endless medical graduates, who aim to become great doctors. Since the competition is exceptionally high, it opens doors to unexpected hurdles that need to be dealt with; else leading to failure. 

Though most students put in their 100% in the preparation process, many end up burning out in the process of constant studying. 

More about Study Burnout 

Study burnout is a phenomenon that students typically face when studying for long periods of time, especially during the period preceding highly competitive exams like the NEET PG, INI-CET. Study burnout takes place when the individual feels extremely detached from their studies, and needs to take a break, but may be unable to. To explain this further, researchers have broken study burnout into three major components: 

• Cynicism, or feeling alienated from studies.
• Exhaustion, or the inability to concentrate.
• Inefficiency, or the inability to complete pending tasks. 

These are the three conditions of study burnout that can be avoided through various measures that we’ve discussed in the latter part of this article. Read to find out more. 

How to identify the symptoms of study burnout? 

Now that you have understood what study burnout is, it becomes even more important to understand what could be the various symptoms of this phenomenon. If you find yourself feeling disinterested in your studies, the first step is to analyze whether it’s a ‘study burnout’ or merely a change in your mood due to boredom or the burden of study pressure. 

The signs of study burnout vary from student to student – some might feel lethargic, and some may underperform due to the pressure of deadlines. However, one of the biggest misconceptions students and parents have about study burnout, is that ‘it happens due to excessive studying hours’. However, that’s not the case. 

Here are some indicators of study burnout – 

• Lagging in academic performance, in spite of being a good student. 
• Underperforming/ sudden downfall in grades.
• Constant feeling of fatigue or feeling mentally exhausted.
• Uneager or generally enervated. 
• Zero or minimum motivation.
• Feeling uninterested and detached from studies. 
• Books give you anxiety.
• Inability to focus on tasks.

According to experts, these are a few symptoms of study burnout, though the list may vary and be longer. In case you think that any of these points align with your current state of mind, maybe it’s time to take a short break. 

How to avoid burnout while studying for the Medical PG exam? 

Let’s discuss about the different Medical PG Exams one by one here.

The NEET PG exam is the entrance exam for admission and eligibility into government and private medical institutes in India, and overseas, to kickstart one’s career and journey, as a doctor. If we talk about numbers, there are just 83,000 MBBS places in India, whereas the number of students applying for these seats exceeds 16.8 lakhs, thereby increasing competition and associated stress levels. 

In spite of these challenges, if this is your calling, then buckle your seatbelt tight, because the exam preparation journey will be nothing short of exciting, and exhausting! While we understand that the pressure is high, we also understand this is a dream you want to achieve. That’s why, we’ve put together some of E-Gurukul’s tried and tested teaching methodologies and ways to avoid study burnout, and ultimately guarantee you success.

Want to know various ways to avoid burnout while studying for the NEET exam? Well, we have the right answers for you! Let’s dive into this comprehensive list together, and understand how to deal with stress, and crack the NEET question paper. 

INI-CET is similarly another medical PG exam that offers admission in different AIIMS colleges, JIPMER, and PGIMER Chandigarh etc. Every year, lakhs of candidates appear for the exam. Out of which, 10 to 20% students able to bag the seats. The exam is considered as one of the prestigious exams in India.

So, here are some methods, and strategies that will guide you prepare well for the exam.

Set a timetable and follow it 

One of the best decisions you can make, to avoid burnout while studying for the NEET and INI-CET exam, is to prepare a well-structured timetable, and stick to it from day 1 till the final day. Time tables are proven to be the most decisive element of any competitive exam, as they help in organizing subjects, to make the learning process easier. 

Below we have listed down a few benefits of building a timetable, enough to convince you to take this step, and create your own – 

Timetables help in the following-

• Easily reduces stress levels.
• Prioritize subjects.
• Manage time.
• Take breaks in a scheduled manner. 

Remember, your timetable should have a certain level of flexibility so that you assess how many hours a day you’re devoting to your studies. Make sure to include appropriate breaks, so that you keep study burnout at bay. 

Take regular mock exams 

The best way to analyze your exam preparation, and keep from burning out, is to take regular mock tests. Mock exams give you a glimpse of the real exam, and keep you on your toes, thus away from burning out. Without a doubt, the NEET is one of India’s most challenging exams, where the best medical graduates compete to get the best seat in a college of their choice. Taking mock tests becomes imperative, and keeps you from stressing or burning out.  

Take short breaks  

We know that the NEET is all about giving your 100%, and studying all day long. But to keep from burning out, we suggest that you relax a bit – do this by taking some time off to read a book, meditate, or even go for a walk, or listen to music. We understand that preparing for a high-stake exam can exhaust your mind. To avoid burnout while studying for the Medical PG Entrance exams, you could – 

• Prioritize mental peace. 
• Practice meditation daily.
• Read a book. 
• Take a 10-minute walk.

Studying for hours at a stretch can slow down your learning process. Regular meditation, or taking a short break, can promote better concentration, and give you much-needed inner mental peace. 

Pursue a hobby

Another important way to avoid burnout while studying for the INI-CET and NEET exam is to pursue a hobby. We understand that the NEET is a life-changing exam for you, but that does not mean that it’s the end of the world. Learn to prioritize your time, and take some time out for yourself. Take up a fun activity, refresh your mind, so that you find purpose in getting back to your studies. 

You could pursue – 

• Drawing or painting.
• Playing your favourite sport. 
• Cooking or baking.
• Writing or reading.

Choose a hobby and indulge in it for 20-30 minutes every once in a while. Indulging in something interesting will give you a sense of happiness, help you take a break – and most importantly, keep you from burning out.  

Get enough sleep 

No matter what happens, do not compromise on your sleep. Developing a healthy sleeping pattern is a choice that promotes a healthy lifestyle, and ultimately a healthy state of mind, to help you learn better. Everyone needs at least 8 hours of sleep every day, to start the day feeling fresh. Sleep helps to avoid constant fatigue that can hamper your working efficiency. 

We cannot stress enough this point as it is one of the major reasons for study burnout. Therefore, to avoid burnout while studying for the Medical PG exam, make sure you get enough rest. Sleeping helps your mind rest and allows you to stay alert when it’s time to study and focus. So, if you suffer from burnout, it could be because of an unhealthy sleeping pattern. Change it today! 

Do not overthink 

If you are a medical aspirant, there will probably be a flurry of questions that bombard your mind all the time, such as –

• Should I be studying for the NEET or other medical entrance exam? 
• What if I don’t get through the exam? 
• Where should I start from? 
• Am I capable of taking the exam?  

Well, the best part is, you’re not alone. Every other candidate that is aspiring to crack the NEET/NEXT exam deals with these questions on a regular basis – however, the issue lies in the stress of these questions taking over your mind, and causing you to feel burnt out. Remember to stay calm and positive, and not allow negative thoughts to take over, as they could cause you to burn out and stress out easily. 

Spend quality time with family

In the hustle and bustle of exams, candidates tend to neglect their families. Though it’s not something they intentionally do, it does take place as most candidates’ schedules don’t give them time to be with family. However, you may find that spending time with family helps you feel more motivated, supported and encouraged, and therefore, stops you from feeling stressed or burnt out. 

Maintain a balanced diet 

Preparing for a full-fledged competitive exam means paying extra attention to your diet. Sticking to a healthy diet includes adding greens, fruits, and enough water to your daily intake. This will help you maintain a higher energy level, hydration, and in turn, contribute to better focus and concentration. 

Below we have curated a list of food items that you should avoid while preparing for the NEET/NEXT exam – 

• Oily, fried food items.
• Packaged food.
• Caffeinated drinks.
• Soft drinks.
• Junk food.

Intake of these food items promotes fatigue, sleepy eyes, and improper brain functioning, which can ultimately cause study burnout. So, if you want to avoid burnout while studying for the NEET, INI-CET exam, eat a healthy balanced meal to remain energetic and active, as well as improve your concentration and focus. 

Follow an exercise regime 

Another important point that we cannot stress enough is exercising to avoid burnout while studying for the Medical PG Entrance Exam. Developing a proper exercise regime, and following it by heart has the capability of increasing endorphin count into your brain, which in turn helps to keep happy, fit, and energetic. Here are some exercises you can choose from –  

• Go for a quick run.
• Hit the gym regularly.
• Practice meditation or yoga.
• Go cycling.
• Perform basic exercises at home that you can do from your study desk.
• Join a dance or Zumba class. 

Stick to the plan 

One of the major reasons for chronic anxiety, tension, stress, and burnout, is because candidates fail to stick to the plan. Sticking to the plan can help you improve your state of mind,  flush out negative thoughts, and keep you motivated.  

Do not let thoughts of ‘what if’ hamper your inner mental peace, as this could lead to failure. Planning and strategizing is exceptionally important, as they build a strong base for your learning. However, over-planning could lead to stress and burnout. So, if you are facing regular burnouts, try sticking to a plan – as your plan will include both study sessions and breaks. 

Final thoughts 

Challenges and hurdles are an indispensable part of life; if fought with bravery, they open doors for innumerable opportunities. 

The NEET PG is a crucial exam, it is obvious that the preparation needs 100% dedication and focus – things that can sometimes burn you out. To avoid burnout while studying for the NEET PG and INI-CET exam, take note of the strategies that we’ve put together above, that will help you over the course of your preparation. Preparing for NEET can be fraught with distractions, self-doubt, and challenges which lead to unexplainable stress and burnout, however, this is a lifetime experience that every medical graduate aims at. Treat your burnouts as hurdles, and try to eliminate them from your journey by staying motivated and encouraged. 

If you’re planning to take the NEET/NEXT anytime soon, make sure to thoroughly check this list to avoid burnout while studying for the NEET PG and other PG Medical exam so that you are well prepared with solutions to some common burnout issues most students face. 

We hope these tips help you in your coming years and you perform well in the upcoming Medical PG exam. If you have any doubts regarding any subject or need extra attention, pay your visit at https://www.egurukulapp.com/ to learn with us!