Completely Overwhelmed..Need Encouragement

Agnus · Sep 13, 2003

I graduated at 50.

This is just me but personally I would cut back on the number or classes. I would talk to the financial aide counselor at my school.

I would (did) enlist the help of my spouse or who ever is in my life and can contribute, and get them to understand they will have to carry more responsibility at home.

And I enlisted tutors at school (math is my bugaboo). I also kept in close communication with my instructors and got clarification when I did not get something. I worked with classmates who sometimes had a better take on a concept and inturn helped them.

Taking a little longer and maybe even paying for school one's self is not necessairly a negative. Loosing a particular schlolarship is not the end of the world. Anyone can (if motivated) get though school in the USA these days with or without scholarships. Most of us did not have a scholarship. Mine was a rather small one as most are today.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2003

Hang in there! Is this a typical workload for a quarter system? Or is it accellerated. I went to a college that used a quarter system and we didn't have to take that many hours, because we had 4 quarters in a year that we could take the courses in.

Be realistic and honest, if there is something you need to drop to nurture yourself, then drop it. May throw your timeline off schedule, but heck you're 48 you've waited this long, what's another quarter or two.

I wish you nothing but the best! Good luck. I have such admiration that you're doing this!

PennyNickelDime_RN · Sep 13, 2003

Again, thank you for all of your comments, they are encouraging.

My school has three quarters per the year. Summer is counted as a quarter but there are no nursing or science classes in the summer to take. A quarter consists of five classes at this school. I cannot drop a course this quarter since the deadline to drop was 9/12. It is difficult to know after only one week of school whether or not you will be able to handle the load.

I agree that I can take longer to finish school but I cannot afford to give up the scholarship since we are not in the best shape financially to begin with. My husband has been out of work since 9/11/01 and has only found temp work off and on.

I will talk to my advisor on Monday to find out whether or not taking 4 courses is considered full time. Hopefully it is and I would cut back next quarter. In the meantime I am going to study like crazy and pray for the best.

:)

Agnus · Sep 13, 2003

Those who are "not well off financially" are the ones MOST qualified for financial aide. It is those who have the means to pay that cannot get aid.

Aid comes in many forms including grants, scholarships (you may qualifiy for other scholarships just because of your financial status) and loans.

LaVorneRN · Sep 13, 2003

I feel for you. I wish there was something new I could offer here but you have received excellent advice from everyone here. The only thing left for you to do is trust your prayers and efforts will be rewarded. Trust. I believe they will. Peace and blessings, sincerely, to you.

Repat · Sep 14, 2003

Whoa, you sound like me! I have just started an online APRN course. I love the format, but I am finding it difficult to keep up. Class "participation" is via seminars, and it is like writing a term paper for each class every week. I also have to arrange my own clinical placements, which has proved to be so impossible that I may have to drop a course this semester already because I can't get anyone to agree to precept me (and I have called in all kinds of favors on this and still come up empty). I was so discouraged today I just thought I'd chalk it up to experience and quit. However... I shadowed a friend at his clinic on Friday, and it was fabulous. Also, I love the material - it's fascinating. So, I guess I just have to keep my goals in mind, and remind myself that if it doesn't get done ASAP, it will get done eventually. Good luck with your course - I hope we hear how it goes for you. And know there are alot of us out there feeling the same things - it sure helps to vent!

pnurseuwm · Sep 14, 2003

You're at MSOE? I'm at UW- Milwaukee! From what I hear the nursing program at MSOE is pretty new (if I'm not mistaken). Have you considered UWM? You can take as few courses as you want and I believe the tuition is cheaper at MSOE. I know Cardinal Stritch and Alverno may be a bit more expensive but the faculty truly work with you so you can get the best out of this learning experience. How did you decide upon MSOE?

pnurseuwm · Sep 14, 2003

Oops, I meant to say that the tuition is cheaper at UWM than MSOE.

duf · Sep 14, 2003

Can you hand in sample questions into your tutor(s) so as they can instruct you as to what exactly they are looking for in the question???? It always proved useful for me!

bellasalsera · Sep 14, 2003

I just want you to know that you are not alone. I have returned to school as a mature student and I am feeling what you feel. Hang in there! I'll be thinking of you.