If you want to attend medical school, you'll need to study for and pass the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which can be a grueling process. The MCAT Reddit forum can be a significant resource for many MCAT takers, though it's important to also consider a professional exam preparation service in addition to your research online.

Reddit also can be a place where you can commiserate with others who are in your shoes. To help you maximize your preparation, here are the top five MCAT Reddit posts to aid you along the way.

1. Seek Balance in Your Process

The MCAT may be one of the most difficult exams you ever take, so you may feel like you need to spend all your free time studying. But this approach can quickly lead to burnout, which can impact your test score. 

In one post, user Shipachek shared a meme with two pie charts. The caption for the first is "What I thought would make me productive," and it lists only hard work. The second, captioned "What actually does," includes hard work, time off, sleep, healthy eating and exercise. 

Many of the commenters shared their own experiences, adding that focusing on their mental and emotional health has helped them succeed academically and overall.

One user, OrdinaryMiraculous, suggested also adding a creative release to your process. Working with the right side of your brain can help you avoid burnout and return to your studies energized.

2. Create a Schedule

Maintaining a good balance is crucial, but it will be extremely difficult to make that happen without a schedule. Otherwise, you may have a hard time transitioning between activities and making sure you get everything in.

In one post, user StudyGuideTutoring shared tips for MCAT beginners. In one tip, they shared how important it is to use a schedule to help organize your studying. They suggested using Google Calendar and deciding which chapters you'll study each day.

That can help you establish a timeline so you can get all your studying in and complete practice tests before the exam. Laying it all out can help you stay on track and understand if you're behind and what you need to do to get caught up.

While the post doesn't include non-exam tips, make sure you also schedule other activities that can help you avoid burnout. 

Keep in mind, though, that there's no single best approach to studying that works for everyone. Consider this option but also take the time to research others so you can find the best strategy for you and the way you learn.

3. Remember Why You're Doing It

If you're feeling discouraged by the process, take some time to think about why you want to enter the medical field. In one post, a user shared a tweet with a picture from a man with a sign that reads, "Thank you all in emergency for saving my wife's life. I love you all."

The MCAT is difficult for a reason, and medical school will also come with its own unique challenges that you'll need to navigate.

But if your goal is to help people, the process you need to go through to get there can be well worth it in the end.

4. Share Your Own Tips

As you go through the studying process, keep in mind that over time you'll start being viewed as an expert to people who are just starting out, and it can help them to share your own advice.

In one post, user afrogu curated several images shared by others in the community that helped them in their studies. They include drawings, study notes, mnemonic devices and more to help people who may be struggling with certain concepts.

The post prompted user Hagop99 to share their own post with their own review sheets that helped them pass the exam.

5. Don't Give Up on Yourself

During the process of studying for and taking the MCAT, you may feel like medical school is not the right fit for you. For some people, that may be true. 

But it's important to differentiate between a well-thought-out decision to switch gears to another career path and a lack of confidence. In one post, user ian_taffy shared a screenshot of their perfect 528 score. 

Along with it, they shared that they got so nervous the first time they took the MCAT that they gave up and invalidated their score. Three years later, they took the test again and aced it. 

In another post, user tortellini91 shared some affirmations to help them get through the daily grind of studying. Some examples are:

• I deserve to invest in myself.
• I will be patient with myself.
• I will be kind to myself.
• I will honor my goals.
• I deserve to reach my goals.

Consider some of the ways you may be making the process more difficult because of negative thinking and work to reframe the narrative.

The Bottom Line

The MCAT isn't for the faint of heart, but if you work and study hard, find balance with your mental and emotional health, and check in with yourself periodically, you'll have a better chance of passing the exam.

It's easy to get discouraged by the process, but there are plenty of people who have gone before you and have felt the same way. Take advantage of this and other MCAT forums to share your experience, fears and struggles and you'll find that you're far from alone.

What's more, it's important to share your own experiences and strategies so that other people who are just starting out or who are struggling with the same issues can get the help they need to pass the exam.

Also, start thinking about how you plan to finance medical school and other expenses. Juno can help you negotiate exclusive rates and discounts on graduate student loans to help you save money.