Need help with first semester classes after being out of school 28 years , Need help

U.S.A. South Carolina

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Hi, I am taking the ADN- Rn program, This will be my first Semester and I have been out of school 28 years. Yes, I am very nervous and worried.

The school put me in English 101, Psych 201, Bio 101, Bio Lab, Microcomputer 170, and I am taking a math pre-Algebra jump-start Math 010 for 1 week and then it will determine whether I take Math 032 or Math103. As you can see my Math is not great. I already signed up for Math 032. Classes at this school are over full. But lots of people apparently drop out after 2 weeks.

My question: Is this too much for me to take my first semester or can the average, out of school 28 years, no job to worry about person handle all this. I want to do well. The better the grade the faster I can into clinicals later. They take highest grade point averages and the ones that have waited a while to get in. There is a waiting list for clinicals. I should work but my husband is very supportive and he will take the burden of the bills for now.

I start classes August 24 officially but take my jump-start math starting August 17th.

Please help me figure this out, I have ask other people and I get different answers. I asked the advisers and they really didn't help. I asked some students and some just out of Nursing school RN's- younger than me. All have different answers. I heard the Bio 101 was very hard and so was the English comp 101 and the Psych 201 and all require lots and lots of paper work.

Please help, Thanks in advance!!!!!

:confused:

Cole,

I know how it feels, at this point you may seem a little lost and overwhelmed at the same time. I was in your shoes a year or so ago. Most students at tctc start clinicals right after finishing gen. ed. classes, it just seems to work out this way with the points system there. Do you have your etc log in yet? If you send me an email address, I will send you a copy of the competetive entry form, or you can find it on the school's web site by clicking on academic web which is under the learn tab. I do not know the bio lecture teacher that you have, but I had Dr. Farr for anatomy lab. She was a good teacher, pulls no punches. The bio 101 is more difficult than bio 100, but you can use the bio 101 towards your BSN down the road. If you are only interested in the ADN, the bio 100 will do and is eaiser. I took bio 101. The advantage of taking anatomy during the summer is that you can knock out two bio classes in one semester (2 five week sessions). Yes it is difficult to do this way, most students only take the biology with no other classes if they opt. to do it that way. The bio classes always fill fast. There are many students that will be on the computers at 8:00 AM on the first day that you can register each semester, so they can get the schedule and classes they want! You may want to take a look at ratemyprofessor.com for student opinions of your instructors, I have found it to be spot on, good and bad.

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Cole, I forgot to mention, keep your eye out for a meeting called "updates to nursing". You should see it on anoucements on etc. If you don't see anything for a while, just go to the Fulp building fourth floor and start asking everyone in sight when the next "updates" meeting is. It is a very casual meeting where prenursing students can ask all the questions and things will be covered that you had no ideal about.

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Charlie T.,

Updates to Nursing-- Did get that done in July. Thank you. I will look on the TCTC website for the form I need. And, Thanks a bunch for the professor/Instructor look up. I took my jumpstart Math this week. I am weak in Math!!! Looks like I have some catching up to do in Math. My email at the school address is [PM for info]

Let me know when you get a chance, how your clinicals are going. I know you will be busy, so just when you get a chance. You have helped bunch and I do appreciate the info. Now, If I could just get the nerves to calm down I would be alright.

I had a great job before this and had the layoff thing happen to me. I felt it was time to make a change. I just did not know how well I would do with school after 28 years. On top of that I disliked High School and I have decided to go back to school.... have I lost my mind. We will see. I do know, if I did go back, I would do something in the medical field.

Thanks, colesc

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cole,

If you are really concerned about the math grade you might consider taking it at GTCC online. You can transfer the credit but it does not affect your TCTC GPA because it is a transfer course. I did that for english101 because english is not my strong suit. Ended up with a B in the class, so it would not have hurt my GPA after all. Just a thought. I will send you an email with the entry form.

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Charlie,

Thank you, I am checking that out!!

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Specializes in none.

:)Hi, I read your story and felt like that was me, I to have been out of school 30 years, I can't even get into the pre requitsets until it looks like spring of 2011, I did not relize how difficult this was and I am not actually enrolled in any classes I am on the waiting list. This is at Long Beach City College, Calif. I am not going to give up, just hoping to get in.

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Marcia,

Wow, I cannot believe that you have to wait just to get into prereq.'s. Here, there is a slight waiting list for clinicals. I have gotten used to school now and its very demanding. I am taking summer courses right now as we speak-- MIcrobiology and Quantitative Reasoning(Math) last math for now. I have to finish my two A&P's and a nursing course to apply for clinicals. I would have taken my A&P in the summer BUt they are only offered it in 5 week increments and I do not see myself being able to pull off a good grade in that short amount of time. I will take the teas test so I do not have to take two other prereq.s before clinicals. I will not take but one other class with my biology courses... the bio is just too hard and I do not want to be stressing so much over it. I still have at least 2 more semesters but I haven't been in it long so I am doing well.

If you have any questions please ask us, everyone here is helpful,

colesc

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Marcia,

I wanted to say, can you start with on line courses there. Maybe check that out and make sure they will transfer from one school to the other. I have taken some of my classes on line and love it. Wish all courses were on line. Some people say they do well with them and some say they prefer to go to class. You just have to be committed and have a quiet place in your home.

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