Eh, just venting I guess O_o

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Eh, I'm really tired of doing homework, so I thought I would drop in, maybe vent a little. I was just talking to another student in my class...and we got into discussing ppl in the class who are book smart. We weren't being mean spirited, just having a little pity party for ourselves. I mentioned to her that I feel really stupid most of the time, and she admitted to feeling the same way at times. Then we kinda vented about those students who brag about not studying, but then they come to class and make 98's on major exams. Aaaaaargh. A little frustrating to say the least...well, at least to those of us who only get an hour of sleep because we're up all night studying and we barely scrape by at times. Our question was: do the ppl who are book smart do well in clinicals? I've heard stories that they don't. I dunno. There is a tiny part of me that just wants to see them break down and cry like a blubbering fool...JUST ONCE. SHOW ME YOU ARE HUMAN! They always seem so together and with it. Makes me wonder what I am doing wrong.

Geesh, or what about the one's who love to throw "Ha! I made a 90!" in your face when you are feeling really sad about your 70?

Another thing...I just want to say that I hate our student government. They act like a bunch of freaking dictators. We can't even choose where we sit....they control EVERYTHING. They never ask the student body what we would like to do...they make all the decisions...tell us we better do this and we better do that, or else. I am tired of being threatened on a daily basis. No use in telling the DON or the other instructors...of course they go along with everything the student government says. I never knew student government was supposed to be a dictatorship. I am so dumb and naive, I didn't realize that I had no say over anything once I entered the school. Whatever was I thinking? *sarcasm* It's not like I am PAYING tution to be there *rolls eyes* I'm just frustrated....I thought I left kindergarten way behind me some 25 years ago. I'm suprised I don't have to ask permission to go to the bathroom.

Good thing...the curriculum is great. It's one of the best LVN programs in the area. The ppl just suck this year.

Is anyone else having these little bitty probs, that amount to nothing alone, but when you start adding all the little bitty things together it makes you want to throw yourself in front of a speeding car? Well, maybe not something that drastic...but you get what I am saying.

Just venting...thanks for letting me.:rolleyes:

Added: OK, I am getting bashed for my feelings...hmm, I am not sure I understand this. Let me just say this: This is the way I was feeling at a specific moment in time. Nothing more, nothing less. I am allowed to have feelings, right? #2 I am not talking about all straight A students. Most are humble. This about a select few who have no tact. That's it.

Specializes in Bone Marrow Transplant.

Hi Truly_Blessed,

I know what you're talking about. It is irritating when someone is getting good grades and STARTS studying for the test the night before when you've been studying for a week or two. There is someone in our class that makes exceptionally good grades, studies the night before, and does very well in clinicals (Crazy, huh?). Anyway, this is just another hump in your school life. I've never heard of a student government that thinks they're supposed to tell people what to do. I think they need to realize they're real reason for being there, and they're major is not "student government coordinator":rotfl: (just thought I would throw that in there to cheer you up). You're almost to the end of the road, don't be discouraged now. Keep your head up!!!!!!!

BSN2004NSU

Eh, I'm really tired of doing homework, so I thought I would drop in, maybe vent a little. I was just talking another student in my class...and we got into discussing ppl in the class who are book smart. We weren't being mean spirited, just having a little pity party for ourselves. I mentioned to her that I feel really stupid most of the time, and she admitted to feeling the same way at times. Then we kinda vented about those students who brag about not studying, but then they come to class and make 98's on major exams. Aaaaaargh. A little frustrating to say the least...well, at least to those of us who only get an hour of sleep because we're up all night studying and we barely scrape by at times. Our question was: do the ppl who are book smart do well in clinicals? I've heard stories that they don't. I dunno. There is a tiny part of me that just wants to see them break down and cry like a blubbering fool...JUST ONCE. SHOW ME YOU ARE HUMAN! They always seem so together and with it. Makes me wonder what I am doing wrong.

Geesh, or what about the one's who love to throw "Ha! I made a 90!" in your face when you are feeling really sad about your 70?

Another thing...I just want to say that I hate our student government. They act like a bunch of freaking dictators. We can't even choose where we sit....they control EVERYTHING. They never ask the student body what we would like to do...they make all the decisions...tell us we better do this and we better do that, or else. I am tired of being threatened on a daily basis. No use in telling the DON or the other instructors...of course thay go along with everything the student government says. I never knew student government was supposed to be a dictatorship. I am so dumb and naive, I didn't realize that I had no say over anything once I entered the school. Whatever was I thinking? *sarcasm* It's not like I am PAYING tution to be there *rolls eyes* I'm just frustrated....I thought I left kindergarten way behind me some 25 years ago. I'm suprised I don't have to ask permission to go to the bathroom.

Good thing...the curriculum is great. It's one of the best LVN programs in the area. The ppl just suck this year.

Is anyone else having these little bitty probs, that amount to nothing alone, but when you start adding all the little bitty things together it makes you want to throw yourself in front of a speeding car? Well, maybe not something that drastic...but you get what I am saying.

Just venting...thanks for letting me.:rolleyes:

Remember that everyone learns in different ways and everyone needs to put a different amount of effort into what they learn.

What matters is not how easy or how hard it is for any individual; what matters is whether or not YOU pass.

Ignore the braggarts as best you can, or better yet, invite them to your study sessions and pick their brains. :)

Specializes in Critical Care / Psychiatry.

You'll drive yourself nuts comparing yourself to anyone doing better or worse than you.

Focuse on YOUR test score and then try to improve that next test, even if it's just by a little bit. You've got to do this to keep yourself sane! This isn't about them, this is about you! Study as much as you can so that you have the confidence and the knowledge to know you should ace this exam! That's how I make it through anyhow. By nature I am EXTREMELY competetive and hard on myself. I'm not a perfectionist but I'm pretty close. Lately I stay in the classroom even after I'm done with my exam and there is time left just so I don't have to walk out of the classroom and have my friends ask me what I got for this question and yadda-yadda. That just gets me all freaked out that I did horrible and then I have to wait a whole week to see what I actually did. Not worth the anxiety. :p

Hang in there! The first semester is rough isn't it? Whew...

Shel

There is another perspective. I'm one of those ones who gets really good grades and does well in clinical. I DO study though...almost constantly between work, kids, home, uni and clinical time. But for the most part, most people assume that it all comes naturally to me - even when assured otherwise.

It can be really lonely sometimes actually. I tend not to be included in those "venting" sessions over coffee, and believe me I'd dearly love to be. I worry about school just like everyone else - feel overwhelmed just like everyone else. But I learned early that I shouldn't express my worry or expect to have a shoulder to cry on at school, because people usually respond angrily and say stuff like, "what do you have to worry about?? I'd kill to have your grades...quit complaining etc". There are times where I really want to share with someone who UNDERSTANDS nursing school about how stressed I feel...just like everyone else. Truly.

So many people assume that "I have it all together"...I hear it very often. But they don't see me bawling on my dh's shoulder at night! Or laying awake at night worrying about the next exam. I never volunteer my grades...but it gets around. Some of them are posted publically - and other just have a way of getting disclosed (like chinese whispers...if one person knows, EVERYONE knows). In class I spend most of my time sitting on my hands and trying to keep quiet and not give answers asked by the tutor -- because I hate hearing the snickering and *****y comments that people don't THINK I can hear behind me.

Lots of people have asked me for help - asked me to show them how to get better grades. So again and again I have given up my time to help someone study...only to have them fizzle out after a week because they just wanted a magic cure for bad grades, and not actual WORK, time and effort. And often it's those same people who get *****y when they flunk an exam and declare that "it would be so nice to be able to top the class without having to try".

Case in point - this semester for A&P I was approached by a girl who had been sitting on barely passing for the last year and had wanted to turn over a "new leaf" in her words after failing the midterm. She asked me to help her, to coach her, to show her what I did etc. At that point I thought she seemed genuinely keen, and perhaps was one who just wasn't academically inclined...so I agreed. Fast forward to the end of the semester. She has missed at least one third of lectures and tutorials, has done her basic review questions for this class on maybe only 5 occasions, has every excuse in the book for why she hasn't done her reading this week and has not even *attempted* to make tape recordings, flashcards, expanded reading etc. The exam is next week, and I am 99% certain that she will fail it...just like she did last time. But she'll tell herself that she tried the best she could and just "wasn't born smart". Sigh...

Anyway - enough of my ranting. I wasn't disagreeing with you at all...just wanted you to know that there is another side to the frustration of nursing school. Can't wait till it is over!!

Wow, purplekath, I feel like I could have written some of your post. I know exactly how you feel, about feeling that you cannot vent your frustrations, because everyone says "what are you nervous about, you know you're going to make an "A"...." But they really don't understand, do they? Just because you make good grades in school does not mean that you are not overwhelmed, or stressed out because I am all of those things!!! I told someone just the other day that I wish sometimes I didn't do well, that way I could sit in with the rest of my class when they talk about tests, without getting that look they give me. I do not post much, but when I saw what you wrote, I had to.....there is another side to those students that "have it all together"....things are not always what they seem.

Lil

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

I could have written this post, Kathy. Also, I just got my very first B on a test. I missed the A by 1 point. I know that there are at least a couple of ladies in my class who've been waiting to see me do worse than they did. Well, I hope they feel better now. I study my butt off and was very disappointed that I made some dumb mistakes. I was afraid to share my disappointment though. I did come home and cry to my husband, who thankfully, was very supportive. I have just decided that I am not there to make friends but to learn to be a good nurse. If I mess up, and I am bound to, then I will deal with it. It can be pretty lonely, though.

There is another perspective. I'm one of those ones who gets really good grades and does well in clinical. I DO study though...almost constantly between work, kids, home, uni and clinical time. But for the most part, most people assume that it all comes naturally to me - even when assured otherwise.

It can be really lonely sometimes actually. I tend not to be included in those "venting" sessions over coffee, and believe me I'd dearly love to be. I worry about school just like everyone else - feel overwhelmed just like everyone else. But I learned early that I shouldn't express my worry or expect to have a shoulder to cry on at school, because people usually respond angrily and say stuff like, "what do you have to worry about?? I'd kill to have your grades...quit complaining etc". There are times where I really want to share with someone who UNDERSTANDS nursing school about how stressed I feel...just like everyone else. Truly.

So many people assume that "I have it all together"...I hear it very often. But they don't see me bawling on my dh's shoulder at night! Or laying awake at night worrying about the next exam. I never volunteer my grades...but it gets around. Some of them are posted publically - and other just have a way of getting disclosed (like chinese whispers...if one person knows, EVERYONE knows). In class I spend most of my time sitting on my hands and trying to keep quiet and not give answers asked by the tutor -- because I hate hearing the snickering and *****y comments that people don't THINK I can hear behind me.

Lots of people have asked me for help - asked me to show them how to get better grades. So again and again I have given up my time to help someone study...only to have them fizzle out after a week because they just wanted a magic cure for bad grades, and not actual WORK, time and effort. And often it's those same people who get *****y when they flunk an exam and declare that "it would be so nice to be able to top the class without having to try".

Case in point - this semester for A&P I was approached by a girl who had been sitting on barely passing for the last year and had wanted to turn over a "new leaf" in her words after failing the midterm. She asked me to help her, to coach her, to show her what I did etc. At that point I thought she seemed genuinely keen, and perhaps was one who just wasn't academically inclined...so I agreed. Fast forward to the end of the semester. She has missed at least one third of lectures and tutorials, has done her basic review questions for this class on maybe only 5 occasions, has every excuse in the book for why she hasn't done her reading this week and has not even *attempted* to make tape recordings, flashcards, expanded reading etc. The exam is next week, and I am 99% certain that she will fail it...just like she did last time. But she'll tell herself that she tried the best she could and just "wasn't born smart". Sigh...

Anyway - enough of my ranting. I wasn't disagreeing with you at all...just wanted you to know that there is another side to the frustration of nursing school. Can't wait till it is over!!

Wow, when did grades get so competitive? I graduated in 2000 and it wasn't like this. I never had anyone snicker about my intelligence or the fact that I made As and Bs with little to no study time. And people were genuinely glad if someone raised a hand to answer because if a hand didn't get raised right away, someone got called on at random, usually someone who chose not to participate. And a couple of instructors would add a point to grades for participation (they always got lots of raised hands in their classes).

I started a study group specifically for the woman who sat next to me who was barely passing; I asked her to teach me the concepts from class. When other people joined, we split up who taught what (I provided coffee and sodas and sat in -- it didn't make a difference to my grades but everyone who participated in my group passed, and later passed NCLEX).

Everyone knew who the straight A students were, and while there was some jealousy the first semester, by the second semester we'd all worked with each other on clinicals and care plans and nursing diagnoses and the flap over grades faded away.

In fact, by the second semester, after we'd lost a few students to grades, everyone seemed to develop the attitude that we weren't going to leave anyone else behind if we could help it. By the second year, we were a very tightly bonded group, helping each other in clincals and in classes.

Specializes in L&D all the way baby!.
There is another perspective. I'm one of those ones who gets really good grades and does well in clinical. I DO study though...almost constantly between work, kids, home, uni and clinical time. But for the most part, most people assume that it all comes naturally to me - even when assured otherwise.

It can be really lonely sometimes actually. I tend not to be included in those "venting" sessions over coffee, and believe me I'd dearly love to be. I worry about school just like everyone else - feel overwhelmed just like everyone else. But I learned early that I shouldn't express my worry or expect to have a shoulder to cry on at school, because people usually respond angrily and say stuff like, "what do you have to worry about?? I'd kill to have your grades...quit complaining etc". There are times where I really want to share with someone who UNDERSTANDS nursing school about how stressed I feel...just like everyone else. Truly.

So many people assume that "I have it all together"...I hear it very often. But they don't see me bawling on my dh's shoulder at night! Or laying awake at night worrying about the next exam. I never volunteer my grades...but it gets around. Some of them are posted publically - and other just have a way of getting disclosed (like chinese whispers...if one person knows, EVERYONE knows). In class I spend most of my time sitting on my hands and trying to keep quiet and not give answers asked by the tutor -- because I hate hearing the snickering and *****y comments that people don't THINK I can hear behind me.

Lots of people have asked me for help - asked me to show them how to get better grades. So again and again I have given up my time to help someone study...only to have them fizzle out after a week because they just wanted a magic cure for bad grades, and not actual WORK, time and effort. And often it's those same people who get *****y when they flunk an exam and declare that "it would be so nice to be able to top the class without having to try".

Anyway - enough of my ranting. I wasn't disagreeing with you at all...just wanted you to know that there is another side to the frustration of nursing school. Can't wait till it is over!!

I second that emotion! I am an A student and sometimes SO embarassed to admit it. Just this week someone told me I made the grades because I wasn't as busy as them.. ok I am married, I have 3 yound children, go to school full time and up until Tuesday I took care (in my home... FULL TIME, nights too) of a woman with Alzheimers... oh yeah I am just eating Bon Bon's over here. I don't vounteer my grades and I DO stress. I feel VERY BADLY for those who struggle. I have offered my phone number, email address and time to help anyone who wants it. I don't want anyone to fail. I didn't decide to go into nursing to play junior high all over again. I am not interested in being catty .. just a great nurse.

Here's to all of us hard workers!

Hey, dont worry about those "student government" dummies. You're all there to accomplish one goal: finish school and become practical nurses. Once that has been accomplished their role as student government dictators will be gone with the wind.

I do, however, understand your frustration. There were a few controlling snobs who made up our student government and they used to put up this front of "the students will decide" but when they got behind closed doors at their little meetings they did whatever they wanted, including deciding how the graduation ceremonies would be set up and what music would be played...they chose some sappy type of music that I really hated but oh well I only had to put up with it for two hours. After that I was outta there.

And turn me upside down and paint me blue but I have a bad habit of wanting everyone to see if I made a good grade (I won't shout it out but I leave my test face up on my desk so passersby can see how "smart" I was for that test). On the other hand, if I happen to not do well and there are some who did do well I will discreetly file that test paper to the back of my notebook out of sight....it's petty I know because I'm no better than anyone else and a person who barely passes with a C will get as good a job as the honor student. School is a petty business but once you are all out your work record is going to make the difference not your grades.

Good luck!

Thanks for this thread guys - for BOTH sides of it. I reckon that one thing that makes us "grow up" as human beings is to nurture the ability to see life through other people's eyes. I know that I'm going into this week trying to see life through the eyes of those who struggle, and I hope that some of us will feel able to do the same for those who don't struggle so hard. After all, isn't THIS ability going to make us better nurses??

One of the reasons I love this board so much is that we all seem to be here because we love nursing very much, find school challenging, rewarding and (let's face it) downright nightmarish at times. There is nowhere else in the world I could go to find people who TRULY understand this drive of ours! We're all going to be great nurses someday - and we'll be able to look back and remind ourselves that it is a RARE patient who will demand to see our report cards from nursing school. lol

Wishing you all a great week at school!

Specializes in OR.

thank you for all your posts. i now know I am not the only one who feels the same way. I have been very sucessful in school so far (all As). There are a couple of others in my class who do well too. But, for some reason, becuase I am the only one making As in pharm, I have been singled out in my nursing class. It is lonely being "the smart one." I don't get asked to got to lunch with the others. I don't get asked to come to study groups. The others in my class have no idea that I put a lot of effort into making A's. I stay up and study until 1 or 2 a.m. before the next becuase usually I don't have much time with 3 kids, a job, a house, dog, and husband. My feelings of isolation was made only worse last week when the head of the nursing dept. told everyone in my class that because I was doing so well in pharm that I would tutor those who needed it. I had volunteered to help 2 others who are in danger of failing. It is horrible to spend your lunch in the library or sitting the classroom because no one really wants to sit with you. Trying to be your best can be very lonely in this world.

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