GMATNinja wrote:
Syu322, it's not unusual at all to start to burn out, especially if you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself to improve quickly. Think of your GMAT preparations as a marathon, not a sprint. If you overdo it and try to cram too much into your head quickly, there's always a chance that you'll completely exhaust yourself, and really struggle to make progress.
Keep in mind that the GMAT isn't really a test of your knowledge. You can memorize every math formula and every grammar rule in existence, but they won't necessarily get you all that far on the GMAT. Sure, you need to know all of the fundamentals, but most of your success on the GMAT will be determined by your ability to be sharp when you attack questions. The GMAT is primarily a test of clear logic, precise reading, and sharp decision-making. If your mind is muddy when you do GMAT questions, you'll underperform your actual abilities, regardless of how much knowledge you've stuffed into your head.
I'm not sure whether this will actually help, but do your best to take a long-term view of the process. Try to embrace and enjoy the intellectual challenges of the GMAT, and try not to put too much pressure on yourself to make a ton of progress overnight. And above all, take good care of yourself physically and mentally--make sure that you get enough sleep, and don't completely lose sight of other things that keep you healthy, focused, and balanced (diet, exercise, family, social life, etc.).
If you need a break to refresh yourself, take it. But try to study at a pace that you can sustain over the long haul, and don't let the GMAT make you miserable! With a sustainable, balanced approach to studying, you'll be able to make some serious improvements.
Good luck with your studies!
GMATNinja,
Awesome post. An obvious (but not so obvious when you are preparing) fact largely neglected by students articulated in an unassuming manner.