Managing your time...?

[mmcc26]

Hi everyone! I realize how rigorous nursing school is, how little free time is left over, to the point of sleep depravation at times. I just wanted to know from people currently in the thick of it, how do you manage your time and stay organized? Any tips and techniques you use or can offer are greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[yupthischickanurse]

I saved this post n realized no answer. Can anyone answer?

[sarahmac09]

I just started my upper-level nursing courses, but I think something that will work wonders is to STAY AHEAD of schedule! Never allow yourself to fall behind on reading and assignments. Create calendars, schedules, etc. to help you stay organized. I've found that organization works wonders when it comes to managing anxiety and stress levels. If I know I'm ahead on reading and understanding learning objectives and concepts, I don't have to scramble to understand things in lecture and I can focus on important information and reinforcing the material I have already studied.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html covers time management.

How much time is needed to study depends on the subject matter, the study tools available, how you use those tools available, and how much time you need to be able to accomplish mastering each area of study.

A general guide line for a regular semester class is a minimum of two hours of study for every one hour of lecture time. So if you have three hours of lecture for a given class during the week, the "minimum" study time should be six hours.

Some classes may require four times that minimum, others maybe half the minimum. Some gotcha areas will be compressed classes where they run only a half a semester. Often times you need to double to triple estimated study times.

I manage my time by using the syllabus as a guide line, then charting it out all on a calendar from when I need to wake up, pack lunch, organize, leave for school, on campus classes, virtual classes, leave from school, study time, etc.

Then I do my very best to stick to the schedule. Whenever possible, I try to get all papers done early, homework done early, etc. The more you are on top of everything that needs to be done the better.

How much "free" time you have will depend on your course load and study needs; and, it may vary from day to day, week to week, month to month.

Thank you.