Dear MCAT,
You’ve been a lot.
I’ve officially started studying for you, and honestly, it’s been intense in a way I didn’t fully expect. A lot of the content feels unfamiliar, and some of it feels like I’m learning a new language all over again. But I’ve found that sticking to Anki, committing to a real schedule, and showing up consistently has been helping more than I thought it would.
I tried to start studying back in December, but life was loud. Moving houses, settling my family, getting everyone adjusted — it made focus nearly impossible. So I really began around January 20th, and I’ll admit, it felt strangely grounding to finally lock in. Spending a few hours a day studying, sometimes quietly on campus, reminded me that I actually like learning. I think I’ve just been burnt out for a long time, and that distance made me forget.
This has shown me something important: this is doable. Even though the MCAT demands a lot — hours each week, constant review, mental stamina — I can feel progress every time I open my books. My diagnostic score was low, and CARS still feels very unfamiliar, but I’m learning not to let that scare me. Progress matters more than perfection right now, especially as someone who used to love being a “study nerd” and is slowly finding her way back.
The transition back into school mode hasn’t been easy either. Going from holiday rest to classes, quizzes, lab work, MCAT prep, and research is a lot. It’s hard to switch my brain from scrolling on TikTok or Instagram straight into deep focus. Scheduling my days has helped, but I’m realizing I may need to be more intentional about how I rest — replacing endless scrolling with painting, singing, or even taking proper breaks that don’t leave me more drained.
I want to be honest: this is hard. Balancing classes, MCAT prep, lab, and extracurriculars takes time, energy, and emotional bandwidth. I love what I do — school, research, leadership — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exhausting. Right now, planning my life carefully is how I survive. Structure gives me freedom. It allows me to take things one day at a time without drowning in the big picture.
This is just the beginning of a long road, and I’m learning to meet it with patience instead of fear. One day, one study block, one Anki deck at a time.
All the best,
Edidiong C
Creating My Autobiography 