I’m Quitting the Internet!

Yes, you heard that right folks! Since my USMLE Step 1 exam is about a month away, it’s Crunch Time, baby!

Sigh, which means I need to cut out all distractions, for real this time. Considering how I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to testing, I know, deep down, what exactly is holding me back, I just don’t like to admit it. But this is where I confess, so I’m confessing:

I confess that being online, procrastinating, for hours when I should be looking at that gods-awful First Aid book and doing Qbank questions, is the reason why I don’t do as well as I should/could on exams. We can go into details and argue about it at lengths, but this isn’t the time for it.

Point Blank: I’m quitting the internet for the next month.

Oh sure, a month is nothing to some, maybe even many of you, but when you’re a self-proclaimed social media junkie like me, it can be a bit tricky. When you start your day by checking your phone for emails, FB/Twitter updates and basically have it glued to your hand, checking it almost immediately when something comes up – you’re an addict. When the only tabs you have open on your browser are social media websites like FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Pinstagram, Goodreads, etc and you’re constantly refreshing your Reader – you’re an addict.

So, yes, I’m an addict. I’m an addict who is about to go cold turkey while I prep for this exam because, honestly, I’ve wasted too much time and money to not give this everything I’ve got. Too many disappointing glares, missed moments with my family, and time wasted when I should’ve been engrossed in my studies.

So here’s the plan:

The Pledge – To give up the internet/social media for the next month while I prepare to take my Step 1 exam

The Goal – To pass the Step 1 exam

What I’m Giving Up – All of social media and basically anything that distracts me from my studies which includes, but is not limited to:
1. Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, YouTube, Pinterest, Pinstagram, GetGlue, Tumblr, Google Reader – Yes, I visit THAT many social websites, practically everyday. You can see where all my time goes.
2. Blogging – Except for the occasional scheduled posts which have already been written up, there will be NO ACTION happening here on the blog. I hope you stick around though, because I will return!
3. Reading – As high as my TBR pile is & as much as I want to read, I have to focus & can’t waste time.
4. TV – Luckily it’s summer so there aren’t a lot of shows I’m keeping up with, but there are some, which I have to put on hold until this month is over.

My Motivation: If I fail, my default career “choice” is a lifetime of working at the nail salon where I will eventually lose my mind because of those ghetto-ass, crazy customers while facing ridicule and humiliation from family, friends, and the general public for not making it through medical school. Also, those damn school loans that have pretty much spilled past $200K is very dauntingly looming over my head at all times.

How I’m Going to Do It – I will be blocking out all those pesky websites. I am deleting Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram off of my iPhone so I won’t get distracted by any notifications.

The Exceptions – I will have to be online for a tiny bit of time for a few reasons like Online Banking (still have to pay those bills), Emails (only for school correspondence, I promise myself I will not read/reply to anything that isn’t school related), and one time to manage a giveaway I’m working on for my fansite (Deity Island). You’ll also see some posts here that were already scheduled, nothing too serious, just promos & the like. That’s it!

Sounds easy enough, right?!

Wish me luck and hope I make it out alive. Most of all, pray that I pass this exam!

See ya in a month!