Completely Overwhelmed..Need Encouragement

BadBird, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2003

Sounds like you have a lot on your plate this semester. Just focus, one day at a time, one project at a time, one paper at a time. Next semester I suggest you don't take so many classes or you really will burn out. Keep a calander with you, mark all important things on it, like when your papers are due, tests, etc. cross off each day so when you look at it you will see how much progress you actually made. Hang in there, it is tough but you can do it.

PennyNickelDime_RN · Sep 12, 2003

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I really needed to hear them.

I will have to take five classes per quarter in order to keep my scholarship. Five classes are considered full time. I think cutting it down to four would make a huge difference although the grouping of classes per quarter are all very intense...for example: next quarter I will have to take:

Chem I, Speech, Concepts of Health, A&P I and Algebra II. Since science and math classes are the most difficult for me and having to take A&P also, looking back at this first quarter will probably seem like a cakewalk.

Still scared to death... :eek:

pnurseuwm · Sep 12, 2003

It sounds to me that your university wants to be stingy with their scholarships and is making it as hard as possible for students to maintain the scholarship:(

This is a tough call. You're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't (be financially stable and struggle with courses- thus snatching your opportunity to enjoy nursing school and learn things in-depth- or scrounge for money and have a course load that allows to you present yourself in the best academic light).

To me, getting the best grades is the most important factor. In my opinion, I would have to drop the scholarship, take on more loans, and have the chance to REALLY excel in classes (and more importantly- UNDERSTAND concepts and how they're interrelated).

That's just my opinion... then again, I'm 23 yrs old, no hubby or kids, and lives at home with mom (which isn't as glorious as it sounds:D ).

I would suggest that you meet with your financial aid and academic counselors to help you find a happy medium between these 2 predicaments.

Good luck

RubyRN · Sep 12, 2003

I too went back to school as an older student. It's definitely much more exhausting this time around. I agree with the above post - take it one project at a time - don't look so far ahead too much, its too overwhelming. But, YOU WILL GET THROUGH IT. Think about taking summer classes to lighten up your load during the year.

I have met a lot of people who are getting their tuition paid for by a hospital they are currently working in. If I were able to do it all over again, I would try to go that route.

Also, taking out more student loans may not be such a bad idea... the interest rate is at its ALL TIME LOW. (I didn't think it would get any lower than when I consolidated last year, but it has been lowered twice since!)

In the long run, I think getting the better grades will be worth taking a student loan out. (Just my opinion).

In any event, just keep thinking positively and steer clear of distractions. GOOD LUCK!

PennyNickelDime_RN · Sep 13, 2003

I agree with you about the scholarship money...I forgot to mention the grading scale at this University.

93-100 A

92-89 AB

88-85 B

84-81 BC

80-77 C

below 70 - F

Again, this is not to my advantage. I've never seen a grading scale like this one, has anyone else? I was mistaken, students have to have a 2.5 to maintain the scholarship thank goodness!! It is still going to be a struggle tho. As far as summer classes go, there is no such animal at this school. It is an engineering school with a nursing program. Milwaukee School of Engineering...http://www.msoe.edu if you want to check out the nursing school if you are curious.

Keep the comments and suggestions coming...I need any input I can get.

Thanks!

live4today, RN · Sep 13, 2003

Originally posted by sprklplnty
I agree with you about the scholarship money...I forgot to mention the grading scale at this University.

93-100 A
92-89 AB
88-85 B
84-81 BC
80-77 C
below 70 - F

I've never seen a grading scale like this one, has anyone else?

That's not as awful as my college's grading scale which was:

94-100=A

87-93=B

80-86=C

below 80 in the nursing program was an AUTOMATIC fail in the nursing courses. :eek:

Still think your school's grading scale is bad? :)

PennyNickelDime_RN · Sep 13, 2003

Not compared to that one. Personally, I think the 90-100 and so on scale should be standard.

I do have to say that my kid's high school used the same grading scale as my nursing school....go figure! I didn't understand it then and I don't understand it now:confused:

roxannekkb · Sep 13, 2003

Originally posted by sprklplnty
Hi,

I just finished my first week of nursing school. I transferred from another University. I'm 48 years old and right now am feeling every bit of my age.

The school I attend is on the quarter system. 10 weeks to finish complete semester courses. I am taking Bio, Algebra, Contemporary Issues in Humanities, Computer Applications and Nursing Orientation.

I'm totally lost in Bio having not taken a biology or any science course in over 30 years and the amount of homework for each class is staggering. I am so afraid of failing. I did very well at my previous University...transferred with a 3.7 gpa and received a full scholarship to my new school. I must maintain a 3.5 to keep the scholarship.

I would appreciate any encouragement you could give me...any tips on organizing my time spent to study etc. I don't want to give up but I don't want to just get by with my grades either.

Have you considered getting a tutor to help with bio? Sometimes one-on-one help can really make a difference. You may be able to get one through the school--even if its just another student who really knows the stuff, or a grad student.

sjoe · Sep 13, 2003

You might want to check out the student nursing forum on this BB.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 13, 2003

that grading scale is exactly what ours was in nursing school...

best get used to it...

and hang in there----

the best students were in their 40s and mommies...

you will do it!!!!!!!!!!! i did...

redwinggirlie · Sep 13, 2003

Find a study partner, maybe you can get lucky and find one who is in more than one of your classes so you can double up on study time. If you can, try cutting down your work hours so you can spend more time studying. I cancelled things like cable, cell phone and things like that so I could make taking time off work possible. Cutting corners in those areas instead of in school really helped. You are number one. You can achieve this goal. I finished nursing school at 40 this year. Yes, it's hard, but possible. PM me if you'd like. A good support system makes a world of difference. All my best to you