Was anyone a not so great High School student and become a GREAT college student?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello,

I am getting ready to start my pre-reqs January 3rd.

I am actually nervous about starting. When I was in High School ( I graduated in 1990) I wasn't a very good student and was never "Made" to do anything by my parents. I was the only one who Graduated out of my family, my Sister quit school at 18, my Mom quit in the 10th grade to get married to my Dad (not married now though) and who by the way made it to 7th grade w/ out learning to read or write anything more than his name. I don't want this to sound like a sob story that's not what I am trying to do here. My problem is even though my GPA was only 1.777 I have a huge desire to become a Nurse. You have to have a 2.0 at least to be admitted into the program, they said I can make it up in course work before then. I have wanted this since my Daughter was born in 1996, I got to see upclose and personal what an OB Nurse gets to do and I soooo bad have wanted it all these years, 2 more children later here I am, I watched them as I delivered my next 2 sons, the feelings I get to even watch Birth Day on Discovery Channel is pure delight, I get teary on those T.V. shows and always say out loud "I want that", I have the desire to do it no matter what anyone else says,

I get negative vibes and comments from Mom like, " Are you sure you could handle being a nurse? What if a baby would die on you", things like that discourage me, I think of things on the flip side, what if I can help a little one or an older Lady with daily activities, she sees the sad or gross as she has put it before, and I see the beauty. I realize it is not always wonderful, but I want to make a difference in my life as well as patients. I have a great husband and 3 wonderful kids that I want to make a good life for too. As I told my DH yesterday and got the death look, "Once I become a Nurse, they could put me on 2nd shift and I wouldn't even care", now that's desire to become a Nurse (Tee Hee Hee). I think my Moms probem is that I am stepping out and wanting something out of my life unlike what she has done, by the way my Mom and Sister are stay-at-home mom's (me too, but I don't want to do that forever like my mom has done) they have no desire to get out and work nor does their Husbands care if they do or they don't

My fear is w/ a GPA of 1.777 is that I won't be smart enough to make my dream happen. I can't start my program until Fall 07', so I will have all my AP's and Microbiology all the hard classes out of the way (I know there is still gonna be hard ones, but the way we have it set up now is first quarter the only thing I have to take is Foundation of Nursing and that is it, then 2nd quarter will be Foundation of Nursing 2, 3rd quarter will be Foundations in Womens health and Children then the 2nd YEAR I will have to take it all except for Sociology which I will have already taken, does this seem possible for a person like me?) . I had a boyfriend all through High School and never took things seriously, I never never never studied because it would take time from him, never took my ACT's or anything that I would ever need for College, always thought I would be at home just like Mom (not that there's anything wrong w/ that, I've been at home w/ my kids for almost 10 years, now my desires have just changed).

I'm sorry this is so long, but I can't discuss these fears w/ anybody else for I am embarrassed of my grades.

Has anyone had a low average like that and still made a go of Nursing, or do well in AP like you never thought you could or Algebra ( I stink in math too). I am going to post this in another place too so maybe I can get a lot of feedback and get some self confidence about myself. My DH, Sister and Dad are very supportive of me (Sis bought me scrubs already as an incentive, so that was cool). Thanks in advance. Have a Great Weekend..

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If you truly have the desire to be a nurse, you'll make it happen. I'm sure you will hear that many times over, but it is really true. It won't be easy and as I'm sure you have read on this board it can take it's toll as you're working towards it. But if it's right for you and you truly know this is your calling, then the work will more times than not, be enjoyable work.It's amazing what one can do, remember and retain when they like the subject matter. I don't believe your high school grades are indicative of whether you have what it takes to be a nurse, only you really know that.You should sit down with your husband and even yourself and explain what it really might be like for them, and you while you're going through school. If you read through these post you can see both the struggles and the inspirational moments and guage whether you think this is for you. It will at least give you some insight. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I didn't do poorly, but I wasn't a straight A student either. I really don't think that matters.

If you are focused, this is what you really want, and you are willing to dedicate the necessary amount of time studying, you can do it!

It may be a hard struggle, but you'll probably find your maturity level has changed compaired to your high school days and will help you get through.

I graduated in 1991, and went straight to college. I didn't do so well in A&P, made mostly B's in everything else.

Now, since I have gone back in November 2004, I have been taking mostly accelerated classes and making A's. I do study A BUNCH! In fact, I am the only one awake in my house now, and am about to hit the books again.

You can change your fate right now. Do you want to work for minimum wage for the rest of your life because everyone else around couldn't handle being a nurse, or do you want to be a nurse so badly you are willing to go the extra mile?

You can do it, study hard, think positive, and proove that what you did in high school will no longer affect you.

I wish you the best of luck! :)

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Specializes in Operating room..

I was a bad student in high school. I graduated in 1989 and only got C's and B's. When I went to college the first time I got C's. Well, I recently decided to become a nurse...lo and behold...all A's and B's (3.7 GPA). Who'da thunk? I find myself really anal now trying to keep my GPA up. It's odd, for years I thought I wasn't smart at all. Now, I just realized that it's because I found something I really like to do. :idea:

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Specializes in heading for NICU.

I was a not so good High School student myself...graduated in 1991. I hated HS and just wanted to get out. But the thing about college is you're taking classes that will get you to a position you WANT. As an adult you are a totally different student now. You have a whole new attitude and work ethic. I started college right out of HS and became an A student. Afterwards I became a stay at home mom and now I'm going back to school for my ADN, and so far so good. In two of my classes I have 100% on all tests, and one class I have a B average (struggling with statistics!). So I don't think how you were in HS counts for much. Leave those days behind and start with a new slate and new chapter in your life.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.

I don't think it matters at all what kind of student you were in HS. I was a very poor student (simply because I didn't want to be there). I didn't have any ambition at the time, and no goal to reach. But college is different. You are working toward a visible goal, and one you obviously feel passionate about. Don't let anybody talk you out of it. You'll do fine!

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I was a horrible student in high school. Somehow your ambition picks up when you have to PAY for school.:uhoh21: Yes, there are some sad things about nursing, but at the end of the day, if you can walk away and know you've made a positive difference in at least one person's life, then it is worth it! BTW, I still have my "lucky scrubs" from right before I got my LNA:) Best of luck to you

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I can totally relate.

I graduated hs in 1982 with a GPA pretty similar to yours. I wasn't motivated and did not want to be there and there was a lot of turmoil at home. I also never took SATs or ACTs because I thought I would never go to college. I think they passed me just to get me out of there.

I started college almost a year ago and my GPA now is 3.9! It's thrilling to go from thinking I didn't have what it takes to really doing well. My worst class was algebra, I flunked it in hs and never bothered to retake it because I only needed one math credit to graduate. I took it my first quarter in college along with 2 other classes and did ok. Not the grade I had hoped for, but I passed, which for me was a major achievement and fortunately, since it's not technically college-level math and only pre-req for other things I had to take it didn't even factor into my GPA.

Other than that one class, my lowest grade was a 3.6 in chemistry, which also scared the crap out of me. Everything else has been 4.0, so have gone from being a horrible hs student to a great college student.

Right now I'm in AP1 and pretty close to the top of my class. I just keep my goal in mind all the time and push forward when it gets tough, like this week! I have been a stay at home mom for years too, and sometimes it's hard studying all the time when I want to hang with the fam, but they are really supportive - especially my husband : ) I also hope that I'm inspiring my kids.

YOU CAN DO IT!!!

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Specializes in NICU/L&D, Hospice.

How come nobody ever told me I was this smart in high school? :roll

I was an avg. student, but did earn straight A's on my final report card (only time ever). Of course my classes were mostly blowoffs, with English of course. I was mostly a B/C student. I went to a CC right out of HS and didn't do so hot. Got an A in English, C in both algebras, C in Chem, D in Tax accounting (why did I take that?), A in Aerobics!!!

When I decided to make something of this life God gave me, I talked to my neighbor about college. She told me she gets all A's and B's. WOW!!! I was so impressed by how smart she was. Well... there's one more person I can feel inferior to...

My lowest grade so far has been an A-. And only one of those. It truely does make a difference when you care about why you are at school. Plus you can't complain about "ya, when am I ever going to use that in the real world" since YOU are the one that paid to hear it. I got a C on my first test in the 1st Biology class we have to take. I had just received my 1st 2 A's in the prior Summer semester (first returning student classes) and was bummed out! I kicked it up a notch and ended up with (I think) the highest grade in the class. A very high A.

Don't let the 1st tests determine your attitude, unless it is to kick it into high gear. You will do fine!

The best part of it all is that...

my family actually thinks I'm like a super brain!!:thankya: :thankya: :yeah: :yeah: :specs: :idea: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Woogy

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

I had the worst time of my life while in High school. Abuse at home, back into foster care, etc.

Life happened and I didn't do too well. I even had to quit school for a semester which put me back and I graduated the following year.

Fast forward to now, I have a near 4.0, work, married and am happy.

Don't listen to anyone's comments if they are negative. Follow your heart and dreams.

Good luck :clown:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

People you know and family in particular are going to judge you by your past. But don't judge yourself. You're a completely different person than you were in High School. You're an adult learner with different priorities.

Good luck. Let the past stay in the past.

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Specializes in Surgical Oncology.

Well lets just say i wasnt be best high school student...I got mainly b's and c's even when i got to college i was getting the same. Ever since I started with nursing its been all a's its amazing how you dont try your hardest until its something you really want.. Me and my friend radiology student joke all the time...what happend to us were smart now..lol...:specs:

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