I am a first-year medical student currently facing challenges due to a lack of effective study skills. Having been out of school for some time about 2 years before starting medical school, I'm finding it difficult to retain the information in our materials. While I consider myself diligent in my studies, I recognize that I need to develop better study techniques and strategies to succeed. I'm considering taking a semester off to address these challenges, build a solid foundation, and return better prepared for the demands of the program."