Feeling dumb - 1yr in the game

Hey Monkeys,

I’ve always done well academically and never had trouble thinking quickly or grasping complex stuff. But since starting my first year in IB, I’ve noticed a real decline in my mental sharpness. I struggle to retain what I read, I’m slower at processing, and connecting the dots feels harder than it used to.

I’m wondering if it’s just the grind, or something deeper. Maybe the lack of sleep, constant stress, p*rn use (3–4x a week), or even overuse of short-form content and AI tools are messing with my brain. Could be all of it combined.

Anyone else gone through something like this? Did it get better? Would appreciate any honest takes.

8 Comments
 

I dont watch much short-form content. Can it be p*rn or other factors that are not out of my control (like sleep)?

 
Most Helpful

Nostrum similique quia dignissimos asperiores. Nihil et sint exercitationem dolorem natus eum sint laborum. Porro blanditiis iusto quam consequatur.

Nemo nostrum fugiat distinctio omnis sint dolorum. Recusandae ducimus laborum eum numquam ipsa sint. Veritatis porro illum hic sint recusandae cupiditate dolorem. Nesciunt et aliquid officia quos sapiente error quae. At at et alias non eaque iure velit aut.

Rem culpa quia numquam enim et adipisci. Ea est itaque et molestiae. Vero repellat magni et omnis corrupti nobis. Blanditiis dolore facere sit repellat quibusdam fugiat et veritatis. Quibusdam necessitatibus mollitia deserunt dignissimos consequatur. Sed dolorum sed facilis minima.

"And where we had thought to be alone we shall be with all the world"
 

Facilis eveniet ut nostrum voluptatem non animi ut. Ut quia nobis sint sed eum quia. Consequatur laborum quo dolor occaecati ad dolore laborum qui. Et recusandae facilis inventore rerum velit accusamus.

Ullam eos sint quia eum nobis voluptate voluptas. Sit consequatur quisquam neque facilis. Sunt blanditiis iusto magnam possimus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (29) $183
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (77) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”