Mental health

Question

For those of you who have trouble studying, have you changed your lifestyle (for the sake of the GMAT) in any way to improve your concentration and stamina? New multivitamins, a new workout regimen, etc?

budablasta · Answer

Okay, I started prep 6 weeks ago and I have had a real hard time. I have had to wake up very early in the morning to be able to put in 4-5 hours for the GMAT. Trouble is, I am totally not used to studying so hard. So, I would get really, really tired for the rest of the entire day. I am in IBM and have to put in a full day's work.

I took care to sleep well, sleep early, eat energy foods.. but I am almost always dead tired because of my prep.

But just a few days ago I figured I needed to see a doctor for my fatigue. She diagnosed it as severe stress. So I am on medication for stress. It seems to be helping. I have been a little less tired the last few days.

dreamchase · Answer

Personal advice : People, please don't do this to yourself. Take some extra time if you need, reschedule. But such an overkill would hurt - you may be putting 5 hours in your preps, but you will not retain as much as you should. Studying for three hours at 100% efficiency may be a better idea. 
To each his own, it is just an advice.

AbhiJ · Answer

Slow and Steady Wins the Race. GMAT is not a cram exam, it will be counter productive.

cecilpaladin32 · Answer

I've started doing P-90X (workout routine). When I feel I want a break, I do a little bit of exercise to clear my head. I'm pretty weak, but I (as well as my friends) have noticed a fairly substantial strength increase just a few weeks in, which in turn has boosted my confidence quite a bit. For some reason, after I work out, it makes me feel more driven to succeed on the GMAT/other aspects of life **cough cough with women cough cough**

I also watch tv shows and play videogames to help relieve stress and tension. You definitely want to have an outlet to help you relax while you prep for the GMAT.

I also watch tv shows and play videogames to help relieve stress and tension. You definitely want to have an outlet to help you relax while you prep for the GMAT.

budablasta · Answer

AbhiJ, dreamchase, you guys are seriously right. I have given myself only 2 months to prep before I want to squeeze into R3 of some bschools. That's the reason for all the stress. I think I should extend my GMAT by a month, get a much better score and try more comfortably in R1 next year.

FatRiverPuff · Answer

I seriously think I have adult ADHD (the condition doesn’t exist in my country haha) because I find it really hard to focus which is very unfortunate, given that I can afford to study 6-8 hours a day (I’m a chef). What’s helped my concentration most are these Hair and Nails multivitamins I got from Amazon (or was it Costco?) and water fasting (I don’t recommend this to anyone). I do Jillian Michaels every morning because listening to her talk is a bit like practicing CR. I also cleaned and moved the furniture around in my room to make it more study-friendly. My exam date’s 4 days before my deadline in April; having the rest of the app taken care of before even starting my month of study has helped me somewhat.

CAN’T WAIT TO GET THIS OVER WITH. Ugh, so hard to secure a future these days.

CAN’T WAIT TO GET THIS OVER WITH. Ugh, so hard to secure a future these days.

budablasta · Answer

But the brutal truth of our times, one is stressed out and dead tired even if one isn't prepping for a competitive exam like the GMAT. Work is bad enough. The fight for promotions and increments takes out the soul out.

Yekrut · Answer

I agree with the physical health aspect of things. I usually go out for a bike ride or a swim before attacking the GMAT. Helps me focus and makes me feel less restless.

OscarFJepsen · Answer

Mental health is a dangerous problem our society .

OscarFJepsen · Answer

i agree about it and i will join it as soon as possible

OscarFJepsen · Answer

i agree about it and i will join it as soon as possible

OscarFJepsen · Answer

anybody here and understand what i am say ?

OscarFJepsen · Answer

you understood something then contack me

Shko1 · Answer

And before you start studying, definitely get a girlfriend (or boyfriend). You social and sex life go to the gutter!

lcbdelgado · Answer

I had a very similar routine for a 6-month period because of gmat. I stoped working out and that was the worst thing I could have done. By the end everything went ok, but one advice I could give is: take sone days off prior to your real exam. In my case a took a 15 days vacation from work, went back to my home town, returned to gym and when I took the exam my mind was as clear as possible. And I know would not be able to have had a good score with the level of stress I was before.

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi FatRiverPuff,

I assume you created this post because you are personally having issues consistently studying for the GMAT?

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