How can I gain confidence and knowledge as a first year college student

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jan 10, 2018

I went back to school at 40 and felt exactly the same way when I was getting ready to start classes. I went to school in my 20s (not for nursing) and never had ANY motivation to do anything and ended up dropping out. Twice. LoL When I decided to go back to school for nursing my family pretty much just rolled their eyes at me.

Well, I just finished my pre-reqs with a 4.0 and have had no problem at all making myself focus, study or do homework. I honestly don't know why, but I think for me it is related to the fact that I really want to be a CRNA and have for a long time, and if I don't it this time around there isn't going to be another shot at it realistically.

Another thing that keeps me motivated is that I am doing an ADN, so for me I feel like I have a lot of milestones. I did a year and a half of pre-reqs - then hit a milestone to enter nursing classes. Now I'll have two years of nursing classes and then I'll be able to start working. Then two years after that, hopefully, I'll be able to start a graduate program. Two year chunks is really good for me, so I have been trying to look at my schooling in those smaller chunks instead of thinking about the fact that I have 7 years of school left to accomplish my ultimate goal.

One more motivator with a specialty like nursing - you can't do it without a degree. When I studied music, I always felt I could do that without the english and math classes, so I only did well in my music classes. Well, with nursing, you aren't going anywhere without that degree. So I try to focus on those types of things as well.

Ultimately, I'm just older now and not going out partying like I did when I was younger, so schoolwork and studying has just become a hobby that I enjoy.

TipsyTurtle · Jan 11, 2018

I started out college with a 2.0 GPA and with no motivation. I got motivation from seeing my mom and dad crying in front of me because they wanted me to succeed but at the time I was still fooling around like it was high school. When I saw my mom cry it broke my heart and angered me, I asked myself how can a 18 year old guy make his mom cry like this. From there I decided to change my life, I cut off all ties with friends who were just partying all the time and focused 100% on education. After 3 years I have finally raised my GPA to a 3.4 and just sent in my application for an ADN program that I'm trying to get in. I understand that seeing your friends life on social media can make you feel like; what have I been doing all this time. But you need to focus on yourself, don't let how others perceive you affect you. It is also never too old to become a nurse! I have friends that are in their late twenties just starting nursing school. Stay positive and push through! anything is possible.

YourFuture22 · Jan 11, 2018

Thanks, for replying. Congratulations on that 4.0. I'm hoping with age, I'll grow to love school. As that how I'm going to become a nurse lol

YourFuture22 · Jan 11, 2018

Thanks,TipsyTurtle. Glad to hear you're still pushing forward, that what I'm trying to do. I always have to reminded myself " Everyone running a different race in life".

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2018

24 isn't even that old. I started my program when I was 26 and will be just shy of 28 when I graduate this spring. There are people who are a lot older than I am in my program (I believe the oldest is almost 50).

Stop checking out other people's lives on Instagram/Facebook. Realize that what you see on those platforms is a curated exhibition of someone's life, not their day-to-day reality. The best thing I ever did for myself in terms of finding more time to study was permanently deleting my Facebook account (not just deactivating.... deleting, with no possibility of recovering the account). I waste a lot less time going down the rabbit hole of looking at/comparing myself to other people's lives, and I feel a lot better about my own life now that Facebook is out of the picture.

Organization-wise... I got Dropbox and organized all my class materials in online folders that I can access anywhere. I got a planner and filled in/color-coded all of my assignments, due dates, classes, etc. I also have decided to try doing assigned readings this semester, so I'm looking at the student learning objectives/questions provided for each class and using the textbook readings to answer them to the best of my ability. I'm saving those notes to review in preparations for tests/finals.

YourFuture22 · Jan 11, 2018

Thanks. Your response really helped me feel better. Took my last TSI, and did terrible 329. Going to have to take a developmental MAth class, have you had to take one before? So disappointedâ˜¹ï¸