...and it was a SUCCESS! I enjoyed every minute of it, even the parts where the lecture got boring haha. For the first half of the class, I was taking notes by hand even though I had brought my Ipad to take notes. The second half after my hand was tired and starting to cramp, I decided to try out my Ipad even though I was pretty self-conscious since no one else was using any electronic devices to take notes (we are allowed to use them in class for note taking).
Let me tell you what! I LOVE taking notes with my Ipad. I am paying more attention and focusing more because I am typing instead of handwriting where I occasionally will put my head down, be tempted to doodle, let my mind wander, etc. I am using the app Notability for taking notes and it is awesome! It also has a voice recorder, so as I am taking notes, it is syncing what the instructor is saying to correspond with the words I am typing. I haven't checked on that yet, so we will see if it is really syncing.
I have a case with a "built in" keyboard that can be removed from the case and set on the table. The side of the case has Velcro so I can angle the screen as much as I want and move the keyboard to wherever feels most comfortable.
**And to those who will say things like "might as well just use a laptop if you're going to add a keyboard" or "it is just an oversized Iphone", please refrain. I have a laptop, but fact is, my laptop is huge. It has a big screen and considering the amount of big, heavy books I have to take to class, I really appreciate something small, light, and compact. My ipad fits perfectly into my backpack whereas I'd need to carry my laptop case seperately.
I'm not saying that using an Ipad or any other electronic device will be some life altering event towards note taking, but for me, it really did make the difference.
If you can afford it, I HIGHLY recommend doing so! And if it's not within your budget, you will still do awesome note taking anyway. :)
OP, I am going into my last semester and have only lost a smidgen of my enthusiasm. I can't believe how much I have learned and grown. My excitement has changed over time as it heads toward the first job. I just wanted to let folks know that not everyone grows cynical with school. I am no Pollyanna newbie, in fact, this is my forth career and I still can be interested and forward looking. Keep up the good work; you are right, it will be a challenge, and within that challenge can be found fulfillment.
I wish my first day had been more thrilling, in fact it was the complete opposite. My classmate love to talk all at the same time about completely different things. I spent most of my day sitting with my thoughts trying to drown out all the noise. I understand their excitement and everything but I just wanted things to be a little more serious, I didn't really care to hear the guy behind me talk about his dogs daring escapes from her dog pen, or another person who lucky for me is now my lab partner talk constantly about how someone else is paying for all her stuff and she wants to know where to buy this that and the other. Even the instrutor in the second class sat at her desk and talked the entire time with a student about his up coming marriage, shopping, future plans, etc. I'm so frustrated about this first day of class I hope it gets better!!
Go OP, try to keep that enthusiasm! It sounds like you have started off on the right foot, it usually takes quite some time to figure out a new way to do things!
If your "newbie flame" or whatever it is they called it does burn out, I hope it happens to be replaced with some sort of other lovely, shining positivity. Thank you for your great post, and congrats on feeling so good about your first day!
Triquee guess you never received that "sensitivity training" huh? Here's one your Grandma apparently left out, "if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all".
I'm not angry at all. Not even a little bit. I was amused - which is where the word of advice about keeping a sense of humor comes in. Coming from my perspective, it is highly amusing to hear a student proclaim success on their first day of class. Highly, highly amusing.
But at least you know they're never going to give it up
Never going to let it down
Never going to run around and desert school
I had a successful first day of school too.
My car started so I was pretty stoked about that. For a 12 year old car that keeps threatening to break down, so far, so good. I also didn't trip over my own feet and fall in front of everyone which is kind of an ongoing fear of mine so I put this day in the win category.
With a world full of negativity what's wrong with a little positive self affirmation?
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I think refocusing on the original post is what is needed here. The OP is excited that their first day of school started off with no disasters and found that putting one foot in front of the other has started their journey!
OP....I am so glad you are excited. I remember the terror and excitement of my first day.....wondering if I had what it takes. That first day is like facing the demons under your bed as a child for when you really look the monsters really aren't there (well, most of the time).
You will always find naysayers and those who wish to rain on anyone's parade. Maybe they are just really having a bad day.....but don't let that lessen your excitement.
There will be times during your journey when you will wonder if you made the right decision. There will be times you don't want to be a nurse. There will be days you are willing to throw in the towel. But remember...anything worth having will be worth fighting for!
Some people are just down right mean in this post. I have seen some pretty hurtful things said on Allnurses, but this takes the cake. Good for you guys for being so negative towards a fellow nursing student. You guys must be one of those people that are so miserable with your lives that you must bring others down with you. Good for you! :yelclap:
To the OP, good for you for enjoying your first day of class. I hope I go in feeling the same way and not overwhelmed with what will come for the next year of my life. Because in all honesty, I am terrified!
I'm happy for you OP. You only get ONE first day, ONE! And, then it is gone. You made the best of it and went in with a positive attitude. Good for you. I must admit that I don't have the best attitude all the time, but would say I do at least 90% of the time I have a positive attitude. I hope my first day of nursing school will be a great one as yours. I have two weeks until school starts and I'm feeling the nerves already but I'm also excited too. Hang on to that good feeling and run with it. Best wishes.
But at least you know they're never going to give it up
Never going to let it down
Never going to run around and desert school
I had a successful first day of school too.
My car started so I was pretty stoked about that. For a 12 year old car that keeps threatening to break down, so far, so good. I also didn't trip over my own feet and fall in front of everyone which is kind of an ongoing fear of mine so I put this day in the win category.
With a world full of negativity what's wrong with a little positive self affirmation?
I 'm just gonna tell you how I'm feeling..
gotta make you understand...
I was thrilled on my first day of school this summer because I was on time.
My alarm went off in the am instead of that annoying thing where I set it for 6pm and then blame the alarm for "not working right."
I was able to find a parking spot in the same zip code as my classroom.
I was able to FIND my classroom.
I didn't have to borrow a pen.
I didn't have to eat lunch alone in the bathroom.
I looked pretty cute in my scrubs, or as cute as you can look in overpriced pajamas.
Definitely success!! I hope none of that goes wrong on my first day. lol.
Thanks! Granted, there was a flash food and I left my house to go to Walmart before school and the roads home ended up being closed. So I had to buy scrubs to wear and pens and paper to use, and gum and deodorant to smell not terrible.
And I may have gotten a slap on the wrist for having none of the requires paperwork. And I was quite frazzled after having to take a twice as long detour through high water.
So I don't exactly wish my first day on you, but I hope you don't have to eat lunch alone in the bathroom :-D
Thanks! Granted, there was a flash food and I left my house to go to Walmart before school and the roads home ended up being closed. So I had to buy scrubs to wear and pens and paper to use, and gum and deodorant to smell not terrible.
And I may have gotten a slap on the wrist for having none of the requires paperwork. And I was quite frazzled after having to take a twice as long detour through high water.
So I don't exactly wish my first day on you, but I hope you don't have to eat lunch alone in the bathroom :-D
Challenges are only put in the way of people God knows will succeed... and you made it! If you have a first day like that, and you still decided NOT to go back to bed, that is a triumph of its own! lol.
If you have a first day like that, and you still decided NOT to go back to bed, that is a triumph of its own! lol.
Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN
450 Posts
OP, I am going into my last semester and have only lost a smidgen of my enthusiasm. I can't believe how much I have learned and grown. My excitement has changed over time as it heads toward the first job. I just wanted to let folks know that not everyone grows cynical with school. I am no Pollyanna newbie, in fact, this is my forth career and I still can be interested and forward looking. Keep up the good work; you are right, it will be a challenge, and within that challenge can be found fulfillment.