final countdown

dont get bogged down---remember, every face you will see on that first day feels EXACTLY like you do--if you could learn it in 6 weeks, the school would be six weeks long---take it day by day---its not rocket science, you can do it---the hard part is getting in---they dont want you to fail like they did in nursing school--to this day I have no idea why nsg schools have the attitudes that they do---if someone in anes school quits first year----they are out that money the second year because you cant just add somebody in the second year, that is why they WANT you to pass,,,remember that ---there are points in time in school when it is overwhelming and all you do is study, but there are also points when it is not as bad and you can enjoy yourself a little----its like a roller coaster---10 days from now you get on---hang on and dont fall off---the ride will come to an end eventually----just do everything you can day to day, dont get overwhelmed, try to start each class off good and score good on the first tests, because that seems to give you breathing room---good luck---it is well worth it--

jdpete

Excellent advice.

Day-by-day, assignment by assignment.

Before you know it. Poof, your graduating.

This is really the best job in the world. Wait and see.

thanks you all - sometimes it really helps to hear it from those who have been/are there.....i appreciate it.

Hey there- I just had to respond to this post, b/c my classmates and I just had this discussion a couple of weeks ago. We just finished our first semester of seven, and all of us made it through! We were joking at the end of semester party, saying how we all sat in our seats that first week and wondered "Is there any way I'll ever pass?" And to that question, my advice is the same as the others. Take everything one at a time. Do not look ahead to that three week period with two papers and five tests. Don't look ahead and think about how petrified you'll be when clinicals start. One day at a time is the only way to make it through anesthesia school. You'll do fine, but be prepared to be scared out of your mind that first week. It's VERY overwhelming in the beginning. But I love it, and wouldn't trade it for anything. And to make you feel better, just know that after my first week, I thought there was NO WAY I'd pass even the first semester. And I ended up with a higher GPA than I ever had in undergrad. Remember, where there's a will, there's a way:)

Thanks for the encouragement, NC Girl.

I am both excited about the prospect of starting school and half worried about the expected school load.

ncgirl - thanks for the encouragement - i have never really been nervous about anything in my life - so this is a new feeling to me - looking through my books and thinking OMG........but my parents tell me that in undergrad i was always saying "i am going to fail" - w/ a 3/5 or higher .... so as you can see i absolutely hate to fail....and don't want to start anytime soon...

thank you much!!

let me know how second semester goes!

Athomas.......I feel exactly as you do because my program starts next Wed. I was thumbing through my books earlier this month and realized the challenge that is ahead. (It's not the easiest reading) Anyway, I have decided to relax these next couple of weeks and not even mention anesthesia until its time. Best of luck to you.

Brian

good luck mbrian46......

i keep gravitating toward those books though...can't stay away...ugh!!!!

athomas,

i just finished my first semester and i would make a couple of suggestions for you.

1) take the information given you and try not to get behind. what i mean is work some on everything not all on one thing. spend some time on every subject you can each day, ie anatomy, basics of anesthesia, pharm. there are times when one subject will demand more, but diversify your time with subjects.

2) schedule time for yourself or with your family. it is unbelievable how fast distance can get between you and significant others.

3) dont try to learn everything at once, pace yourself, you will get it all in the end.

4) pay attention in class, for me, i learn more by listening than trying to get it later out of a book.

5) participate in class discussion. even if you are wrong or not quite right when you speak, it builds confidence you'll need later in clinical when gettin pimped.

6) when you get to clinicals, remember above all else, no matter what, patient safety first. ABC's are your friend.

well i guess this was more than a couple but i hope something in here can help you, good luck and remember, when it feels like the whole world is against you.......it probably is, just kill them with kindness. and dont give in or up.

david