I debated where to post this, but my gut tells me this is more of a male concern.
In a few months I'll be entering an accelerated BSN program. I've read lots about the nursing school "workload," and heard from those who state "excellent time management" skills are necessary. Rhut-rho.
I do well in math and the hard sciences, but the memory-intensive classes kill me. I found studying Anatomy and Physiology (and to a lesser degree, microbiology and organic chemistry) almost physically painful. I would try reading the course material and notes each night, but within a few seconds my mind would wander off to another planet and I'd just be an AADD poster child staring blankly at the book. I'd shake it off, focus, but in a few minutes I'd be off in a dream again. Finally, I gave up even attempting nightly reviews.
So, my study habits eventually reverted to my old undergraduate study habits: procrastinate, then review the material a few days before a test. This triggers a "I am never going to be able to learn this stuff" low-level panic. That anxiety is my friend, though. Finally, I can focus. Then the night before, and day off the test, I'll go over and over the stuff, for hours on end until it eventually begins to stick. So I cram.
I did well in the prerequisites, but was only taking two, maximum three courses at a time. I'm concerned that these habits aren't going to work well with a heavy courseload. I kick myself for my lack of self-discipline, but wonder if I am just wired differently. For the record, in math and the hard sciences I have no problem plugging away nightly. They are "fun," or at least the process isn't painful. It is just the "memory courses," and to a lesser extent, writing, that triggers an intense procrastination mode.
