How do you keep yourself from burning out on your heavy coursework?

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Attending dental school is a highly involved commitment, and your interviewers are looking for assurances you'll be able to remain committed to completing your degree. Spend time drawing correlations between your prior educational experiences and the expectations ahead. Discuss in detail how you plan to stay emotionally grounded as you enter this challenging time in your life.

"I have formed a three-pronged plan to tackle the stressors that may come up for me during dental school. These three approaches will address my academic stress, the emotional strain of adjusting to my new surroundings as I relocate, and the financial strain I will experience due to paying for dental school. For academic stress, I plan to create a study schedule that I will stick to closely. I will join study groups to help me gain a broader perspective from others, and I have made arrangements for a part-time tutor if needed. For the strain that will result from uprooting myself, I have planned to join a couple of university clubs to get to know other students and make new friends, avoiding feelings of loneliness. I also plan to Facetime my family every week to prevent myself from feeling homesick. The financial expectations of becoming a dentist are a reality that I have come to terms with. I have created a solid financial plan to pay back my loans, and I enlisted a financial advisor to help me create a student budget that I will adhere to closely. I feel well-prepared to cope with and address the immense workload and other expectations ahead of me as a dental school student."

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"I always try to take time off to recollect and push myself harder because if a person doesn't take a break to take a breath they will burn out and won't be able to get to the finish line."

Jaymie's Feedback

Taking breaks during studies is a great strategy. Are there any other ways you recharge and stay focused? Perhaps you engage in a hobby or activity in your spare time, volunteer, or spend time with friends and family to destress.

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"We all know how much our work requirements and coursework are stressful so what I usually do I keep myself highly focused on my final goal and my brain doesn't feel that it is the right time to relax until I achieve my goal."

Jaymie's Feedback

Focusing on that end goal can help keep you motivated! Are there any techniques you use to re-energize? Perhaps you take regular breaks, break larger goals into smaller, more manageable goals, participate in stress-relieving hobbies, spend time with friends, etc.

How to Answer: How do you keep yourself from burning out on your heavy coursework?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Temple University School of Dentistry Dental School interview.

2. How do you keep yourself from burning out on your heavy coursework?

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Written by Kevin Downey on August 26th, 2022

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Written by Rachelle Enns on August 26th, 2022

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"I always try to take time off to recollect and push myself harder because if a person doesn't take a break to take a breath they will burn out and won't be able to get to the finish line."

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