I can't get the motivation to "start" school!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2006

it's called procrastination, kiddo, and you can read all about it and how to overcome it at this webpage http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/sspc.htm which is a link within this particular site

http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/ssindex.htm - strategies for success, an online primer and tutorial on how to study for students from the alamo community college. this is a pretty extensive resource with links on the right side of the page to click into the following subjects: learning styles, note taking, memory techniques, time management, overcoming procrastination, sq3r (a method for getting the most out of reading your textbooks), study tips, critical thinking, preparing for tests, and oral presentations. also, take a look at the faq's (frequently asked questions).

i have suffered from this for years. however, the first step is realizing that i have a tendency to do this. i have to deliver my own proverbial "kick in the pants" or as my father used to jokingly say "motivation with a board that has a nail sticking out at the end of it" kind of motivation. i usually end up giving myself a pep talk that goes something like this, "you better get up and do this now and then you can sit down later, otherwise you are going to get into big trouble."

widow2RN · Jan 14, 2006

Hi all,
I am having a real problem getting in gear to start school. My official start day is Tues, BUT they have already given us 3 chaps to read and a few assignments to turn in ! AND they gave us a medication study sheet for the drug calculation test that we have on Thurs. I was supposed to start today, but I sat around and did nothing. I just cannot get started. Maybe it's the extra day we have because of the holiday on Monday ?
Anybody else have this problem? If so, how did you get motivated?
:) Ketcia:)

I'm in 4th semester of an ADN program and probably as about as "burned out" as one can get by now. But, I CAN tell you this: if you do NOT get yourself motivated (whether by desire for the profession, or by the desire to prove to your own self that you can do this)... pretty darn quick you will find yourself so far behind that you cannot catch up!! The Nursing Program is one that is literally to the old saying of "you hit the ground running." You truly do! And every semester will be like that throughout the whole program! So... if nursing is what you want to do.... let THAT BE your motivation... otherwise... you are only among those that find themselves in the "weeding out" process... cause if you don't MAKE YOURSELF keep up... you'll be out before you know it.... It's time to play the game!

MIA-RN1, RN · Jan 14, 2006

I'm having the same trouble. I have a week til classes start and a ton of reading and math calculations to do. Plus I have a nasty URI and laryngitis to boot, and a cat w/ lymphoma who is declining rapidly. Nothing I wanted more than to just shelve the books and go to sleep but I know that a week is really NOT a long time to get this stuff done. So I just made myself sit and start reading the other night and once I got into it, I was interested and now I am able to sit and study.

SOmetimes I think that when we want something SO BAD we tend to freeze up when we get it. Disbelief maybe, or just the nerves of finally having what we want (nursing school etc) that we worry about blowing it. Then of course, actually getting what you want or where you want to be takes you way out of your comfort zone. INstead of thinking and dreaming about something, you actually have to do it! This is how my mind works at least lol

Achoo!, LPN · Jan 14, 2006

I'm overpreparing ( must be the type A personality LOL). I have already done 125 pages of my med math book, and read 8 chapters :imbar

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2006

The stress of knowing I could possibly flunk out and lose everything I worked so hard for keeps me going. Our class started with 120 people, to date we have 75.

Nursing school seems like a marathon. On your mark, get start,...GO!:wink2:

NO1_2NV · Jan 14, 2006

I am in my 3rd semester and feeling so burned out but know that I must get moving or the moving will be done for me!!!! Here are a few tricks I have that might work for you. I purchased an inexpensive weekly planner that is small and has clock times. I then schedule my time. Every minute of class time, study time, etc. all the way down to when I will stop to make dinner, pick up kids, etc. Stick to it!!! Try placing your text books next to your bed. If able, pick up a book the minute you wake up (this works best on the weekends)...before you do anything else. When I start feeling like this it seems to get me going otherwise I will lay in bed making a mental list of things I have to do and that mental list usually doesn't match the schedule. If I think of something that needs to be done...it gets add to the schedule. Always, always, always, look at all of your work as what can or will I do within this hour. If you consistantly look at the big picture you overwhelm yourself and instantly find other things that need to be done.

Hope this helps...good luck this semester.

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Jan 14, 2006

The stress of knowing I could possibly flunk out and lose everything I worked so hard for keeps me going. Our class started with 120 people, to date we have 75.
Nursing school seems like a marathon. On your mark, get start,...GO!:wink2:

This is exactly what has me motivated. Failure is NOT an option.

I think of all I have been through to get here and I feel very motivated not to lose it all.

YoungWiseWoman · Jan 15, 2006

it's called procrastination, kiddo, and you can read all about it and how to overcome it at this webpage http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/sspc.htm which is a link within this particular site
http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/ssindex.htm - strategies for success, an online primer and tutorial on how to study for students from the alamo community college. this is a pretty extensive resource with links on the right side of the page to click into the following subjects: learning styles, note taking, memory techniques, time management, overcoming procrastination, sq3r (a method for getting the most out of reading your textbooks), study tips, critical thinking, preparing for tests, and oral presentations. also, take a look at the faq's (frequently asked questions).
i have suffered from this for years. however, the first step is realizing that i have a tendency to do this. i have to deliver my own proverbial "kick in the pants" or as my father used to jokingly say "motivation with a board that has a nail sticking out at the end of it" kind of motivation. i usually end up giving myself a pep talk that goes something like this, "you better get up and do this now and then you can sit down later, otherwise you are going to get into big trouble."

thanks for the links day. i will definately look over these. once i get going i am fine. it's just actually starting. i gave myself a "kick in the pants" today and started reading. i still feel tired, but it has to be done. thanks a lot. ketcia

YoungWiseWoman · Jan 15, 2006

I am in my 3rd semester and feeling so burned out but know that I must get moving or the moving will be done for me!!!! Here are a few tricks I have that might work for you. I purchased an inexpensive weekly planner that is small and has clock times. I then schedule my time. Every minute of class time, study time, etc. all the way down to when I will stop to make dinner, pick up kids, etc. Stick to it!!! Try placing your text books next to your bed. If able, pick up a book the minute you wake up (this works best on the weekends)...before you do anything else. When I start feeling like this it seems to get me going otherwise I will lay in bed making a mental list of things I have to do and that mental list usually doesn't match the schedule. If I think of something that needs to be done...it gets add to the schedule. Always, always, always, look at all of your work as what can or will I do within this hour. If you consistantly look at the big picture you overwhelm yourself and instantly find other things that need to be done.
Hope this helps...good luck this semester.

That's really good advice NO1. I am one of those people who look at ALL the things I have to do in a week, instead of that day. That makes me feel overwhelmed. I am going to try to slow my brain down this semester and focus on the things I can do that day. I also think of a bible verse that says "therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough troubles of its own." That verse calms me down and gets me focused.

Ketcia

YoungWiseWoman · Jan 15, 2006

Thanks for the replies everyone. I started reading today. Usually when I start I keep a momentum going. I'm studying OB and PEDI so hopefully it will keep me interested.

Good luck to everyone this semester. Thanks for letting me vent.

:) Ketcia:)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2006

I finished my formal nursing education 19 years ago, but I start one of my health information management classes on Tuesday. I've had the books for this class for a couple of weeks and finally opened them and started reading yesterday. Compared to nursing the subject matter is extremely dry and boring, believe me. Guess my kick in the pants worked. Now, if I just remember to gas up the car before the Tuesday morning rush hour. . .