Desperately seeking TIME MANAGEMENT and studying tips!

snwflknurse · Nov 15, 2004

Well, I'm in the same boat, minus six kids! I have a 10 month old, and a needy husband too. I'm in my first semester and am also known to procrastinate most of the time. What keeps me on track is to make lists. I make lists of to do, and deadlines. For example, this weekend my to-do list included typing my assessment functional health patterns, my care plan, and a culture paper. I just finished a few minutes ago, and they are due tomorrow. Other things on my list included studying for my pharm test, which is Tuesday, and which I did not do. It helps to prioritize those things that MUST get done and I find satisfaction in seeing them get "checked off the list" so to speak. Take things one day at a time.

I don't have any family nearby to help me with my daughter, and it is really difficult when I get in a bind. Do you have any friends that could help out with your kids, or do you belong to a church that could help out? One thing I've learned is to ask for help when needed. And, by all means, if anyones says "If there's anything I can do to help you out" TAKE THEM UP ON IT!!!

Don't get discouraged! You can do it! Think of how far you've come and how much real-life experience you already have from raising seven children!

Good luck. :)

Hi all,
I am a former stay at home mom to seven children, I've been out of school for what seems like a hundred years. Being home for all of these years, I'm used to doing most things on my own time, when it was easy for me, ect....plus I'm a HUGE procrastinator.
So, now I'm in my first semester of school, in pre-nursing and am barely getting what I need done on time. Lot's of LATE nights doing last minute work, last minute papers, ect. I was a mostly A student in high school with not much effort at all (means I never really learned to study, I don't even know "how" to study!)
My kids are very needy and so is my husband. Everyone is used to having mom around all of the time and now I'm gone so much and have all of these other responsibilities.
We don't have any kind of a support system, no family in the state, ect...
No one is coping well with this situation, my schoolwork is really suffering. I could be getting A's, but I'm getting B's and *barely* passing algebra. I'm totally stressed out and can't focus/retain anything it seems. (especially algebra)
I'm about ready to throw in the towel *already* To think about going through clinicals like this is very overwhelming and discouraging.
Open to hearing any and all tips/advice.
Blessings,
Stephanie

bmw804 · Nov 16, 2004

I understand your pain. I have 2 small children and another one on the way, and I am working full time during the day and I have classes in the evening. I am so tired and sleepy when I leave work. I have tried getting up early to study, but that doesn't work, b/c I can't get out of bed on time. I agree that prioritizing is very important. Utilize the weekends as much as you can for studies, so it won't be so bad during the week. The house is a mess during the week. I try to get everything completed on the weekends. I wish I had better study habits. I am trying to utilize my time at work for studying also. I sit behind a computer all day doing meaningless tasks. I have decided to use my idle time to study. They don't like it, but I have to do what I can.

One friend advised stuying up late only 2 days out of the week to catch up on studying, and go to bed at a descent hour the other days. I have tried that and it does seem to work, its just that I get very sleepy now adays.

Don't give up though, if its what you really want to do you will find a way to make it work for you.

Nursesuzi · Nov 16, 2004

Is your decision to go to nursing school now one of necessity or desire?. I am going to get yelled at by some other members of this board, but I think you should reconsider going to school right now. Your kids are only young once. Nursing will always be there, your kids won't. The stress of nursing school and starting a nursing career is huge. Your family suffers even with the most supportive husband. I am single mom with two kids. I divorced my husband (during nursing school) because he was unsupportive of everything (among other things). Nursing is great (I am an RN now, new) but would I do it again?. Yes, but not sure I'd sacrifice this time with my young children for it..... Timing in life is everything. Good luck with your decision. If you decide to stay in school, get help. Whether you have to pay someone or trade with another mom. Don't be a martyr.

Hi all,
I am a former stay at home mom to seven children, I've been out of school for what seems like a hundred years. Being home for all of these years, I'm used to doing most things on my own time, when it was easy for me, ect....plus I'm a HUGE procrastinator.
So, now I'm in my first semester of school, in pre-nursing and am barely getting what I need done on time. Lot's of LATE nights doing last minute work, last minute papers, ect. I was a mostly A student in high school with not much effort at all (means I never really learned to study, I don't even know "how" to study!)
My kids are very needy and so is my husband. Everyone is used to having mom around all of the time and now I'm gone so much and have all of these other responsibilities.
We don't have any kind of a support system, no family in the state, ect...
No one is coping well with this situation, my schoolwork is really suffering. I could be getting A's, but I'm getting B's and *barely* passing algebra. I'm totally stressed out and can't focus/retain anything it seems. (especially algebra)
I'm about ready to throw in the towel *already* To think about going through clinicals like this is very overwhelming and discouraging.
Open to hearing any and all tips/advice.
Blessings,
Stephanie

Maggie in NC · Nov 16, 2004

Bless you for still having your sanity with 7 children. I'd be on a Xanax drip if I had that much responsibility at home!

Family should always come first but you can not put your family first and go to nursing school. I am in class at night, on weekends, and during the day. My one child stays with my dad (I'm a widow). I have to study at least 6-8 hours a week without interruption which means I do it while my daughter isn't home or I go to the library.

You are already organized if you take care of your family and they rely on you. You just have to change the organizational skills you are currently using to make the household run smoothly (allows your family to be needy!!) toward your personal goals. Which means, scheduling and compromising. You have to schedule and assign tasks like pick up /drop off, meals, housework to accomodate your school work and study time.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just want to be honest.

Is your decision to go to nursing school now one of necessity or desire?. I am going to get yelled at by some other members of this board, but I think you should reconsider going to school right now. Your kids are only young once. Nursing will always be there, your kids won't. The stress of nursing school and starting a nursing career is huge. Your family suffers even with the most supportive husband. I am single mom with two kids. I divorced my husband (during nursing school) because he was unsupportive of everything (among other things). Nursing is great (I am an RN now, new) but would I do it again?. Yes, but not sure I'd sacrifice this time with my young children for it..... Timing in life is everything. Good luck with your decision. If you decide to stay in school, get help. Whether you have to pay someone or trade with another mom. Don't be a martyr.