Struggling at a four year

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am currently attending a four year college (my dream school). But, it is much more difficult than I anticipated. I took 15 credit hours of my prereqs this past spring and barely made it. I had a D (which is failing) in a math course, which really discouraged me. I am now only taking 10 hours this summer term to lighten the load, or so I thought, but I am still finding myself struggling with time and stress management. I am only 18 years old and basically by myself. I have bills to pay and am working part time which is cutting into my study/homework hours. I know deep down this is where I am meant to be, God called me to this school for a reason, but now I am very concerned that I am not going to make it. My school has a policy that says if you fail more than one course in your prerequisites you will be dismissed and not allowed to apply to another nursing school for so many years, which is adding alot of additional stress. My mother has advised me to check into our local community college as well as a career college for Medical Assisting. I am very confused and stressed out. I am just looking for guidance, words of wisdom, help of any kind to make this decision. Should I withdraw from my summer courses and come back fresh in the fall? Should I withdraw all together and attend a community college for my prerequisites? Go to the community college for my associates and work from there? OR should I try to pursue medical assisting and build my education from there. I am totally beside myself with all of these options and could really use some guidance. Anything will be greatly appreciated. Thank y'all for taking the time to read my rant..

0 Votes

Maybe dropping your classes and avoiding the risk of failing, doing prereqs at a community college, and taking fewer classes each term would be a good plan.

0 Votes
Specializes in Med-Surg.

Summer terms are generally shorter so while you are taking fewer credits it is most likely the same work load. If you are struggling perhaps drop down to 6 credits. I also don't see how one college can prevent you from applying to another just because you don't qualify for their nursing program. Unless I misunderstood what you were saying there.

0 Votes
Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

How were your grades in High School?

How are you planning to pay for this four year college?

People use god as an excuse for all kinds of selfish reasons.

0 Votes
Specializes in ICU.

Dropping credits too low may affect your financial aid. You are 18 with very few responsibilities right now. I would drop the summer classes. Those are more intense because they are compressing 16 weeks of info into 8.

You need some time management skills and good study habits. Working part time should not be causing you to do poorly in school. Take this summer to figure out what you need to do to organize yourself. Then come back in the fall ready to go.

0 Votes

If you drop all your summer classes and work your tushie off all summer, can you save enough money that you won't have to work, or at least not so much, during term? That could help.

0 Votes

Could you tell us what is your out-of-pocket tuition cost is? Do you HAVE to work? Are you commuting (from home) to the 4-year University or live on campus? Is this a For-Profit University? Maybe, attending a lower cost Community College and living at home might allow you to focus on your College work and avoid working all together.

What Math course did you get the D grade in? Was remedial Math required? Please provide as much information so that others can offer good advice and a way forward.

.......and not allowed to apply to another nursing school for so many years,....

Not sure what the above means, since one institution cannot control what another institution does.

0 Votes

People use god as an excuse for all kinds of selfish reasons.

Not nice. It's not a good idea to bash an 18 year old over the head with your anti-religious statements. Besides, your words are totally biased and disrespectful to all people who worship.

I have a complicated relationship with religion, but even I am not mean enough to slap a kid in the face with a statement like that.

0 Votes
Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Well if "god called you" to the 4 year school I don't think anyone who posts on here outranks God. Looks like you have the answer already.

0 Votes
Well if "god called you" to the 4 year school I don't think anyone who posts on here outranks God. Looks like you have the answer already.

This sounds really sarcastic. Why do you think it is OK to be snarky about someone else's beliefs?

Anyway, OP, I think you need to work on relaxing. You sound too stressed to think clearly.

We can't really direct you, because we don't know you as a person or as a student.

My advice would be to do some soul-searching. Figure out your capabilities. If you feel that you aren't able to pass at this time, it may be best for you to withdraw before you fail.

Also, take some time to figure out your options. Write each one down, then write out the best and worst case scenarios for each. This will help you figure out what you are working with and help clear your mind.

Since you feel called, make sure you are hearing the call correctly and discern what it is you are being called to. Is it the school itself, a certain program, or the vocation of nursing?

You are young enough that it probably feels like these are life-and-death decisions, but they are not. They are important, but you need to trust yourself to make the best decision for yourself.

Good luck.

0 Votes

How do you know God called you to this? Is this your own personal belief that's also pushing yourself to think God approves of what you want?

Honestly I'd say slow down/stop, take a breather, take LIGHTER load this summer b/c 10 credits in 3 months is pretty rigorous. Drop it down OR drop it completely and figure out what you really want in life. And don't place all the responsibility of your decision on God, b/c if it turns out you don't make it you'll end up blaming God and getting angry, which I'm sure isn't supposed to happen.

Do a bit of research and figure out if nursing is for you. If you're just going through with it for an invalid reason maybe look elsewhere for what you're meant to do. Definitely do a bit of shadowing. Try volunteering at a hospital and working in an ER or anything to gain insight on nursing itself. Honestly, there's no rush - I'm assuming you're pretty young, and if not it'll all work out one way or another. Good luck!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment