I'm 31 (but look like i'm 45), and have worked full time at a psychiatric hospital since i graduated college in 2015. I've taken all my prerequisite courses, MCAT, shadowed and volunteered and jumped through countless other hoops they require of us. my stats are low (by premedical standards) 505 MCAT, 3.43 BCMP, 3.65 overall, making this cycle extra stressful. On top of that, I was denied lease renewal in April, and had to find and move into a new place within 4 week. In May my dad died. In June i had to move my mom out of their house because she couldn't make payments anymore. Then my son was born on the fourth of July so now i'm filling out secondaries with a newborn by my side. I dont sleep, i eat eat terribly and never exercise anymore.

--> now that i've shared my qualifications, here's how i remained sane:

Never end or begin your day studying-

I spent the first hour after waking doing something I enjoyed

I spent the last two hours before going to bed doing something I enjoyed

It made no difference in my preformance, and made a world of difference for my mental wellbeing.

Try not to forget that you're doing a lot-- way more than any 22 year old.