Preparing for 1st semester...

Nursing Students General Students

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I start next Monday, August 19th, and I've been passing the time these last few weeks cleaning and organizing my house, gathering school supplies for myself and the kids, cleaning out closets, etc., making a few freezer meals and stocking up the pantry with dry goods and paper products. I also got the car tuned up, fluids checked, cleaned out and vacuumed, basically anything I can do that will make life a bit easier. Had some date nights with my husband and quality time with the kids, going to the park, movies, just hanging out in the pool, etc. Read some books that have been gathering dust, as I love to read and I know I'm not going to have as much time to read for fun after the program starts. Got together with some friends and had a 'wine' night with my best friend last week. Lots of these to-do's came from advice garnered here on AN, so thanks to all current and former students for your 'life hacks' to help decrease the newbies anxiety and get us geared up for life in nursing school!

I pulled together the last of my books and school materials last week, and I've made myself familiar with the textbooks and other content. I've started the readings for the first week of lecture, skimmed through the lab and clinical manuals as well as prepping for the dreaded math test. We take ours about 3 weeks in, and we have a Dosage Calculations CD and workbook that is our textbook. It has a bunch of modules on it and for this first test we need to work through and complete the first 6 modules. Each module is several sections, called sub-modules, and those sections are further broken down. I completed the first of many sub-modules yesterday, which was 'Basic Math Review', sub-module 'Fractions', it was easy but took about an hour or so. Now that I have an idea of how to complete the modules and their length, I'm going to blow through them this week as much as I can to get them out of the way. That way I can concentrate on all of the other stuff we'll be doing!

How have other new nursing students been preparing for the upcoming semester?

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Specializes in Hospice.

I'm dreading math. I got three additional books on dosage and calc to read and work on before class starts August 26. I am so scared of the math. I got an A in my math for allied health class, don't even know how that happened, because I feel like a total idiot when it comes to math. The fundamentals class I am excited about. Math, meh........ not so much.:no:

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I start my BSN program on August 28. :woot: We were assigned nine chapters to read for Fundamentals as well as a "semester read" that will be discussed in each class. :bookworm: I've completed all of my requirements for clinical, so I've basically been still working full time (until classes start) and getting my reading done. I went crazy in Staples a few weeks ago and bought a bunch of school supplies (:uhoh3:) now that I think I have my organization ideas/methods squared away for each class.

Now all the fun starts as professors are starting to post course information and their syllabus on Joule (Moodle!) so it's close to the time that I begin ripping my hair out. :zombie: But, I can't imagine myself pursuing any other career, so I'm ready and eager to get started.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

I worked out a strong draft of my calendar for commute time, on campus time, virtual class time (I'm taking one class online), and study time.

Most of the professors I have were kind enough to honor my request for a copy of the syllabus in advance; so, I've been updating that strong draft with due dates for term papers, exam dates, etc. I also asked each professor if I could record their lectures; they stated that would be fine.

I printed out each syllabus as well as scanned them into Evernote as PDF files so I could access them via my smartphone. My digital recorder is prepared with file folders for each class. I set up file folders on my computer as well as a USB flash drive for each class.

BTW, by getting and reading the syllabus in advance, I was able to ask two separate professors questions about the term papers that are due. That at least gets my mind warmed up for what needs to be in place when to get the term papers done to the professor's standards.

All supplies including notebooks, supplementary books, etc. are ready.

I purchased all of my books less one that's custom and out of stock. For each book, I put in chapter tab stickies so I can quickly locate each chapter. Like the OP, I also went through and identified study tools within each book.

Like the OP, I just started reading the first week material that will be covered in each class.

Thank you.

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I start my ASN program on Monday Aug 19th, and I have orientation this Friday. I am assuming we wont need to read anything prior to the first day, since we cannot access Blackboard till class starts, they have not mailed us a syllabus, and orientation is two days before the semester begins. I have all of my books, uniforms and supplies, and last weekend I went to Staples and bought pens, a nice binder, notepad, and a fantastic planner. After orientation I will go back and get more school supplies if needed. I have flipped through some of my books, and while some of it was cool, some was also very intimidating!

I have also been organizing my house, and tomorrow I am working on getting my office organized. Yesterday I washed and vacuumed out my car. I got new tires put on last month (I have an hour commute to class each way, blah!), and I bought an iPod armband and new workout clothes because I plan on utilizing the fitness center (since Im paying for it anyway in my tuition, ha).

Ive also been praying that I can handle everything. Im starting a new job next weekend (weekends only), so on top of starting the nursing program, I will be learning a new job, eeek!

So I am not sure if I am ready for the madness that is coming, but at the same time I am so ready to get started!! Good luck to everyone!

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I'm dreading math. I got three additional books on dosage and calc to read and work on before class starts August 26. I am so scared of the math. I got an A in my math for allied health class, don't even know how that happened, because I feel like a total idiot when it comes to math. The fundamentals class I am excited about. Math, meh........ not so much.:no:

Learn dimensional analysis. You'll need it for chemistry.

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We start the 21st and our orientation was Monday. Our program just went through a major overhaul. They've done away with high stakes testing and the dreaded first day pharm test. We all freaked out when we did not receive a packet with our acceptance letter but it turns out its a very good thing. I absolutely love my instructors and how they say the program will be. I haven't been able to prepare as much as I'd like though. We received our packet Monday with clinical requirement and it ALL has to be done by the second week of school! I'm freakin out about the $400+ of vaccines, titers, etc. Not to mention we cant buy our books if we have FA until Monday! yea, Holy crap! I have twelve chapters to read by Wednesday. ugh. here. we. go. :crying2:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I also start on Monday the 19th. Each of my instructors posted their syllabus online over the weekend so I've mainly been adding everything to my Google calendar (class/clinical times, assignments, quizzes, exams - it is truly a color-coded thing of beauty!) and working through the 12+ chapters of reading assigned for Monday and Tuesday.

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Specializes in Hospice.
Learn dimensional analysis. You'll need it for chemistry.

I've already had the only chemistry course I need, thankfully! Dimensional analysis is my least favorite way of doing dosage calculations but I think it's because it looks intimidating. I am working on it though because I know the professors at our school prefer that method. I got the book "Medical Dosage Calculations for Dummies", and it is excellent!

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Specializes in Hospice.
I also start on Monday the 19th. Each of my instructors posted their syllabus online over the weekend so I've mainly been adding everything to my Google calendar (class/clinical times, assignments, quizzes, exams - it is truly a color-coded thing of beauty!) and working through the 12+ chapters of reading assigned for Monday and Tuesday.

I wish we had our syllabus! I would love to be better prepared for first day instead of feeling like I am walking the green mile heading to first day of class. :nailbiting:

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Specializes in Public Health.

I've already had the only chemistry course I need, thankfully! Dimensional analysis is my least favorite way of doing dosage calculations but I think it's because it looks intimidating. I am working on it though because I know the professors at our school prefer that method. I got the book "Medical Dosage Calculations for Dummies", and it is excellent!

I prefer this method bc it takes less thinking and is the most precise method. If you remember to start with the unit ( ie mLs, units, tabs, etc) your answer needs to be, then you're GOLDEN

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I wish we had our syllabus! I would love to be better prepared for first day instead of feeling like I am walking the green mile heading to first day of class. :nailbiting:

This. This is exactly how I feel.

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