Discouraged....

[BSNBound!]

I don't want to sound like I'm whining and not doing my part to ensure sucess, but I am very scared/nervous about my chances of getting into a RN program. I'm a new mom (just had my first in May) and am taking Micro and A & P I this semester. Micro I've got a handle on, but am just choking in A & P. I study, close to 5 hours a day, when I can get it in between caring for and spending time with my son. I'm so scared I'm going to miss milestones with him and don't want to look back and regret missing his first year because I was too busy studying.... However I'm desperate to finish pre reqs and get into a program. I'm also so scatter brained when I'm studying, especially for lab. We are learning the body regionaly and I have trouble prioritizing what to learn, when to move on. Its a mess. I've never had this kind of trouble in school. Never in my life. I'm frusterated with myself because up untill now everything has come so easy to me. Now I'm struggling and I don't quite know how to fix it. Anyother new moms out there? Do you have advice? I'm open to any and all suggestions.

[SusGob711]

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. The good news is that many women with similar situations have done what you're doing. It's not easy, it's a sacrifice and a crappy one at that. But what you're doing is in the best interest of your son. I think in your situation it's short term pain for long term gain. The most important thing you can do for yourself at this point is to make sure you have a strong support system at home/school/work/etc. You're going to feel guilty but you have to take the time to make school a priority. It's hard to do when your hearts at home and your mind is on books. If you have the passion for this career, everything will fall into place eventually. Don't be afraid to ask for help or post here for advice and sympathy. Best of luck to you! :)

[Foomey]

I'm not a mother, but I felt scatterbrained when I was in A&P, as well. A good friend of mine suggested that I purchased A&P coloring books. They helped me so much! You can purchase them on Amazon.com. They focus on specific areas of the body, and by taking the time to color, it really helps you memorize the various muscles, tendons, etc. Amazing!

Best wishes to you, and I know that you'll manage to find a good balance between work and home. My mother was a non-traditional student, but I was 5 when she went to school. I know that this is a very personal decision, but you'll know the right one for yourself.

[jennlaVICIOUS]

Ah, I remember this all to well, but perhaps I had it easier since I started school when my son was about 18 months. Either way, I understand the difficulty of being a mother AND a diligent student. I sympathize with you and am even in awe that you manage to do so with a newborn at that!

For me, it was a matter of using my son's schedule. I took advantage of every nap, every feeding time, and every moment something or somebody else caught his attention. It's difficult, even tedious, but it works.

If even later you still feel overwhelmed, maybe you should think about dropping A&P? I completely understand the want to get pre-reqs done ASAP, but is it worth your sanity or a not so great mark on your transcripts? Slow down, relax, enjoy your baby. I know in my school not many people dare take other classes alongside with their major biology courses, let alone another biology class!

Oh, and as for your scatterbrain, I think that's just a case of mommybrain. :] It's not you and it's completely normal!

So, you either bite the bullet and keep doing what you're doing. Like a previous poster said, short term pain for long term gain. Or you prioritize and cut your workload. Either way, you'll get where you're wanting to go in due time!

Congrats on the baby and good luck!