not what i expected

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3rd week into nursing school. Ive been doing a decent amount of studying and reading. It is more time consuming than I had realized (not that i didnt think id be spending majority of my time studying, but rather, im surprised that after class i spend another 5 hours in the library just going through material without even noticing how much time has gone by)

i got an 88 on my first exam, our next exam is next week, a little apprehensive but ready to take it down, but test 1 seems to have divided the class even further into groups of those who did well and those who didnt

everyone seemed so supportive of each other on this forum prior to applying to my class. we have a 250-response board dedicated specifically to our school and everyone that applied and got in and whatnot. But now that im in here, everyone seems so stand-off ish and isolated and cliqued up. I wanted to avoid really being in a study group because i know id be bound to these people for the next 2 years and i dont want to be attached to a sinking ship if things start to go south, but generally speaking everyone seemed so much friendlier in other program classes ive been in (paramedic and emt, despite the fact that competition for jobs was infinitely more fierce for that program and yet we were a tight bunch)

just a little rant. I guess the point im trying to make is that i wish the majority of the class didnt take themselves and everyone around so serious. Its making me feel tense and a little anxious which is unlike me. I dont want to feel like this for the next 4 semesters. But i guess im here because i have a task to complete. And thats to pass and move on right ?

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Specializes in None.

I'm taking my last general education course now, while I am waiting to find out if I got accepted or not. In this particular class 90% of them applied to the same school and they, too are playing the waiting game. I feel that everyone is what you described above…like they are isolated and won't talk to anyone. I was hoping it would change if I did get accepted. However, just remember you are there for one person and that is you. Good thing is, it won't last forever. :-) Good luck with NS!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

They are taking it seriously because they worked hard to get there and they want to do well.Nursing school is not something to take lightly.People tend to be not as friendly when they are feeling competitive and possibly anxious. Things should get better once they have had some time to settle down and relax a little. It took me a while to get to know people and figure out who would be good studying partners.A study group was a great thing in my experience. It depends on your learning style. You need to find people you get along with well and don't let the group get oo big.

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Specializes in Hospice + Palliative.
But now that im in here, everyone seems so stand-off ish and isolated and cliqued up. I wanted to avoid really being in a study group because i know id be bound to these people for the next 2 years and i dont want to be attached to a sinking ship if things start to go south

This statement sounds quite "stand-off ish and isolated" to me. You'll get out of the group experience what you put into it. You say that you wish the group were more friendly, and that you "wish the majority of the class didnt take themselves and everyone around so serious" but within this same post you talk about not wanting to be attached to sinking ships, being bound to others, and how the class seems to already be divided after the first exam. It seems that you're part of the problem you're perceiving with the rest of the class. Maybe you can step out on a limb, try to be friendly, and start a study group (even if you might wind up losing folks out of it in the future)

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nursing school was definitely clique-y. My cohort wasn't so bad but there was a handful who had their own study groups, but as a class we were pretty cohesive. it may change down the road when everyone gets to know each other. or you'll have cut throat individuals who think highly of themselves, but who cares let them be. do whatever works for you, you're studying for your own license. I personally hated study groups, I did hop around for social reasons and studied on my own.

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I have not started yet but I have been reading concerns like yours lately from others who have started and it sounds pretty normal. I am sure that once clinicals start and you progress into further semesters people will become more cohesive with each other. However, there will always be some people that stay type A and ultra serious and do not branch out to forge bonds with others. Some people don't care about the friendships and just focus on survival. I personally find that to be a lonely journey in nursing school but to each their own I suppose.

I felt the same way during pre-reqs, especially during my A&P and chemistry classes. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Everyone was soooo serious every damn day about anything and even competitive with one another.

Before and after every test, it was always dreadful being around many of my peers. "OMG I think I failed! Did you get that question right? What did you put for question #36? I calculated that if I get such and such score I can still pass the class/get an A etc etc etc."

It drove me NUTS. All this second guessing and freaking out. I had to learn to do my best to ignore it and believe in myself amongst the naysayers. I just think it's a shame...nursing school has the potential to be a lot of fun and build lifelong memories, but some people get too caught up in seriousness to fully appreciate it.

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Specializes in Primary Care, OR.

Precisely why I ride SOLO!

Once everyone starts to know each others grades, the Great Divide begins. This has been my exact experience in NS. If you got the high grades you were targeted, low grades shunned. Your grades are your privacy! It's disgusting. Really people, should we feed into NETY from day one...... I believe this is where it all begins. :(

Going 4/5 semester now, everyone knows I'm nice, willing to share tips, advice etc and if I'm looking for a second opinion I may approach a study group and inquire (in which they are friendly back).... But they all know better not to ask me my grades. I refuse to participate in the grade sharing obsession snippets. I refuse to sit around after tests and obsess over what the answer to question #10 was. If I am concerned, I email my professor.

I have friends who had great nursing school cohorts and that seems like the exception rather than the rule. Lucky them, as for the rest of us with the rule, best not to add extra stress on the already stressful years.

Go with the flow for now OP, but if you see your mates heading the dramatic route don't be afraid to stand for yourself.

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This statement sounds quite "stand-off ish and isolated" to me. You'll get out of the group experience what you put into it. You say that you wish the group were more friendly, and that you "wish the majority of the class didnt take themselves and everyone around so serious" but within this same post you talk about not wanting to be attached to sinking ships, being bound to others, and how the class seems to already be divided after the first exam. It seems that you're part of the problem you're perceiving with the rest of the class. Maybe you can step out on a limb, try to be friendly, and start a study group (even if you might wind up losing folks out of it in the future)

Yeah I kinda am in between whether I want anything to do with anyone or be on my own. I study better in a group that I can bounce ideas off of-- only when they know what's Going on. If I'm constantly getting useless or inaccurate feedback (which has happened in each group assignment I've had so far) I tend to shut Down because I feel like I'm talking to a wall. Not to mention all of the guys are pretty much expected to band together being the "minority" and all-- a union I have very little interest in joining haha.

I don't know,I'm sure its just my own attitudes I'm projecting out to the rest of the class, but with the way the class itself is being run and how its structured I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling isolated and confused. As a matter of fact I know this for a fact

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

It's only been 3 weeks. Relax.

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Its only 2 years, you can do it =) , give it 100%, time will fly by. I remember when i graduated, could not belive how fast he whole program flew by. Make your studying a fun experiance.

Check out simplenursing.com , the videos makes it fun and easy to learn. Use Promo code SN165 for 30% off.

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I'm in year two of an ADN program. I realized that you have to find out what works for you as far as studying, test taking, stress relieving, family life, etc. Nursing school seems to be a place where it is best to not focus on what everyone else is doing. So many people will say one class is hard, but when you go through it, you could potentially do very well. Everyone is different, so it is not easy to compare your experiences with someone else's. Don't worry about other peoples grades or cliques. Those things are a total time waster.

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