First Semester BSN Program

Don't sweat the small stuff

Breathe

When you get overwhelmed, take some you time and decompress.

Be organized! Get a planner and put the due date of assignments and tests!

I am sure you will do very well . . .

PLEASE be cautious about your 'presence' on this or any other social networking site.. Don't use your own picture for your avatar. Don't reveal any information that someone can use to pinpoint exactly who you are. In addition to the usual issues, as a healthcare worker, you need to be aware of the fact that this can turn something into a HIPAA violation because a patient's identity could be surmised if they know who you are.

Self care is key; with all of the things you will be asked to study you will find yourself pushing yourself to stay up late, eat poorly. These things cause students to burn out and fail. Find an outlet, if its running, lifting weights, listening to music, etc whatever it is you know allows you to destress, do it.

Organize yourself, i did best with a whole month calendar, as soon as i got my syllabus for class i'd mark down all the test dates, when things / papers were due, and having a whole month to see left no surprises.

Know who your supports are and use them, be it siblings, family, friends, classmates.

Keep a positive attitude, you won't know everything and you'll trip up now and then, just stay positive, keep moving forward and eyes on the prize :)

edit: buy a REALLY good backpack, good shoes, hella highlighters and many of "that one pen i really like writing with".

- Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand something.

- Always be on time to clinical.

- Be prepared for clinical.

- Read prior to lecture because it helps tremendously.

- Buy a planner and color code your classes.

Be ORGANIZED!!!

Get to know at least one person from the class ahead of you, and make sure you ask for detailed tips on how to pass the class before each semester starts.

- Don't be afraid to ask questions when you don't understand something.

- Always be on time to clinical.

- Be prepared for clinical.

- Read prior to lecture because it helps tremendously.

- Buy a planner and color code your classes.

I color coded my classes before I realized I had a lot going out side of class work, EMS, working out, "social time", and chores (pretty much ran out of color of pens to use and I had a 10 pen set). I did separate clinicals and classes though in two different colors since they are very important.

These are things I learned during my first semester.

- Use as many alarm clocks and calendars as you need to be on time and keep yourself from going crazy trying to remember when your assignments are due. Write it down more than once in more than one place.

- Try to put money toward good shoes. My feet are much happier with the Timberland shoes I bought than with my cheap tennis shoes. Also, wear compression socks. My feet and ankles could really tell the difference on days when I skipped them.

- Schedule time to lounge in front of the tv or run a 5K or go camping or whatever. I got caught up in all the craziness (because I made it more hectic and busy than it needed to be) and burnt out one month in.

- If your instructor or a nurse on the floor says "I need a student nurse to..." wave your hands wildly and volunteer. (You can skip the waving of the hands if you want.) I wish I would have done that more often.

Thanks so much for all the advice everyone! After the first week, I have found that it is nowhere near as overwhelming as I originally thought it would be.

Thanks so much for all the advice everyone! After the first week, I have found that it is nowhere near as overwhelming as I originally thought it would be.

Someone on here mentioned that they read the first day or two, took notes the next day from the book, and then study the last couple days of the week. I am thinking of trying that method as my time is limited to during the week.