ADVICE?--Is school really that difficult.

Sabby_NC · Mar 12, 2008

Hi everyone.
So basically i need a lot of advice.I am currently a grade 12 student in Ontario, and I am hoping to go to college in Ontario as well within the next two years or so. I have been reading some posts about the number of people failing these courses and I am starting to doubt myself. I am not sure if I can handle it.I am not very strong in science but i am okay. Can anyone else who is or becoming a RPN in Ontario or any other province give me some much needed advice? Is it really that intense of a program!?
It has been my dream for a long time to become an RPN and now im not really sure what to do.
Thanks!!!:typing

All I will say is follow your dreams.

Reading others experience in Nursing School etc is not your experience is it.

I say do it if this is truly what you wish to do and just apply yourself as best you can.

It is not a picnic but something I would do again in a heart beat.

I wish you well in what ever dream you wish to follow.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 12, 2008

Answering the question about how hard it is is not easy. Everyones' experience is different. I just graduated as an RPN in August. I won't say it was easy - you have to work at it, but it wasn't impossible. Now that I am done I am glad I stuck with it and I would do it all over again. Being a nurse is something I have dreamed of for a long time and I still get a thrill out of answering the question " what do you do?". Good luck.

:nurse:

nicole67 · Mar 12, 2008

oh okay thanks so much for the advice guys!

i have decided to go for it. :lol2:

but did a lot of people in your class fail or get kicked out? can they do that in college.. or just university!?

Fiona59 · Mar 12, 2008

My class started with 72. Due to failed courses and deciding that nursing wasn't for them, I graduated with 38 of those who started with me.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 13, 2008

My class started with 32 and ended up with 22. A couple decided it wasn't for them, couple had to quit for financial reasons, 3 went to the full time program 1 hour away(I went nights part time) and two failed courses.

Apollorn · Mar 13, 2008

Nursing isn't for everyone. Unfortunately Nursing is one of those specialized programs where if you try it out for a couple of years and quit, some of those classes probably won't transfer over into, say a B.Sc.

Assess (even though it may be hard at grade 12, it took me until I was 22 to decide I wanted to do nursing) what you like to do, what your goals are, what type of person you are, and what you aspire to be. Be okay with yourself if you cannot answer those questions already.

Good luck :)

bluekermode · Apr 26, 2008

Hey nicole67

If this is your dream then go for it.

What help me get through was to:

Be very organized, large calendar with assignment due dates, clinical times etc. (those cheap, large $2.00 calendars from e.g. staples).

Study study study.

Understand how you learn and use this strength (are you mostly a visual learner or do you do well with listening to lectures - most ppl are a mix but e.g. I am a strong visual learner). Some ppl like flash cards, some don't - figure out what works for you.

Study to understand the material not just by rote.

Try to relax, it's harder to learn when your feeling uptight. Remember you are human.

What can I say but the usual - eat well, sleep, try to get some exercise and fun, talk with friends for venting and suppport, be your own person.

Good luck in your travels in life! :specs:

sweetmelis · Apr 27, 2008

School is difficult. You have to be prepared to put in the work. But it's not impossible (if it were impossible, no one would graduate!)

The fact that you are worried says to me that you are proactive and prepared to put in the work.

I've got some tips just to help you out a little.

Go to class! Seriously, it makes a huge difference. Yes, there are classes that are stupid and profs that are stupid. However, it still helps to go to class.
Have study groups for exams and tests (but make sure they are people that you can study with, not just chit chat with, small groups are good). 3 of us would each take a topic and teach it to the other two
Ask your teachers for help (that's their job, you pay them to teach you)
Schools also have a student success/academic help office. This can be useful for tutoring (math for drug calculations and anatomy can be tricky!)

All in all, it is hard but definitely attainable!