Did anyone work full-time while taking pre-reqs?

[heartheart09]

Hi guys! I am starting my pre-reqs next semester and registering now. I work full time, but I'm going to try to change my schedule from 5 8-hour days to 3 12-hour days. I have my tentative class schedule, I would be on campus only two days a week, taking A&P 1, intro to psych, English 1 and possibly an online college algebra class. I would have two days of no school/work. I'm super nervous and really want to do well. Did anyone else work full-time while taking pre-reqs? What was your experience? I would greatly appreciate any advice :)

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

I work full-time now, even in nursing school. The best advice I can give is to figure out your learning and study style. If flash cards work, make them, if listening to the lecture works, do it, study groups, etc. For me, I re-read the powerpoints and my own notes and looked at all of the body parts/bones/slides at the library before practicals. My friends made flash cards and re-wrote their notes, some people got the coloring books, etc. It will be a lot of work, but if you work smarter and not harder, you should be able to figure it out :) Good luck!

[bitter_betsy, BSN]

I too work full time (actually I have 1 full time and 2 part time jobs). I'm only attending school part-time because I'm at the end of my pre-reqs. I start nursing school next semester and plan to work about 20 hours per week. I find that I need one full day to devote to studying plus a few hours other days of the week spread out. I need one day to sleep in to sort of recharge (I also am routinely awake 18-20 hours per day). Once I wake up, then I do my grocery shopping and study the remainder of the day. I typically stop by to see my mom and gramma that day too..... Gram is 89 - sort of important to see her as often as I can.

[DeltaRn]

I worked full time with 2 kids at home and went to school part-time to get general ed and prereqs done. Some classes I took alone like anatomy and physiology all the science. You need As on those if not all

[Apollo617]

Hi. I am currently finishing my prerequisites. I work full time and I'm single mother to a three year old boy. It's HARD! I am a dialysis tech and found a hospital job so I can work nights. So, I work 3 12 hour overnight shifts. I go to two classes Mondays and Wednesdays, and take two classes online. Next semester, I'll be in class Monday-Thursday with two online classes.

I'm finding that time management is key. I have to plan in advance because I never know what might pop up with my son. I have a wall calendar and a weekly wipe board. I'd like to make a kanban or scrum board before next semester starts. It's a cool way to visually keep track of "to do" lists and assignments. I do a lot of homework at night when things are slow at work. I go to the library and tutoring center on Tuesdays which is my day off and a day my son is in preschool. I do laundry in the middle of the night and use my crockpot alot lol.

Also, I am eating a lot cleaner and trying to schedule in more exercise. I cannot do this without energy and my poor diet and lack of exercise had me feeling run down with no energy. Just focus on your goals,manage your time well, eat properly, drink water, exercise and get your rest. Use all the resources available to you! Good luck!