Anyone doing well 1st semester?

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I have read several threads about people failing first tests and being frustrated, but not many about doing well. After a slight hiccup with a dosage calculation exam we had to take at the beginning of the program (had to get a 90 on it within 3 attempts or you can't progress further in the program- I made a 86 on the first, 100 on the second), I have been really proud of my test grades and clinical check off scores.

I don't go around tooting my own horn. If someone asks about what I made on a test I just say that I'm happy with my grade. I know that I just need to worry about myself, but it is hard for me not to feel guilty for being proud of my grades when there are people who claim to study constantly and are failing.

I was just wondering if anyone else out there is feeling like this in their 1st semester. I'm taking school very seriously and it is awesome for that effort to be reflected through my scores. Maybe me feeling guilty about doing well when others are failing is a personality flaw that I'm going to have to overcome.

I appreciate everyone commenting. I'm not going to feel guilty for doing well. I'm not going to be smug about it, but I am proud of myself for my accomplishments so far. I had our unit 2 test today in fundamentals and made 100%. We also had to write out an assessment on a fake patient and read out our findings. The instructor was impressed and even said that it was a thorough, "advanced practice nurse" quality assessment. I am going to keep high standards for myself and try my best to keep up with this momentum.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

It's OK to feel good about doing well in any semester! For now, you're not competing against anyone but yourself. You don't have to rub success (or failure) in any noses... My first semester I did quite well. There were a couple of exams that I felt disappointed in myself because I got a lower score than I thought I should have, but compared to the rest of the class, I still did quite well. Fast-forward a few semesters, and I'm still doing well, but I'm not concerned with comparing myself to the other students. Just do the best you can for you and be happy with that!

For all of you that are doing well in your first semester so far, congratulations!

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haven't had a test yet, but i'll soon see whether or not my studying habits r up to par.

i've come to realize that comparing grades w/ others isn't healthy. either u or the other party ends up feeling like trash. my goal is to do the best that i can do and realize that a poor grade isn't the end of the world, but indicative of a need to improve my studying habits. sigh. a lot of stress. but brah, i guess there's no gain if u ain't in pain. nahmean. haha. ha. ha. dayum.

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I'm doing well. I have a nice solid B.

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Specializes in CVICU.

It is my first semester too, and so far so good. I did fail my first quiz post-skills lab, but since then, everything's been smooth sailing. 86 on my first lecture test, 91 on my second, 83 on my first math test, great scores on my skills lab post-tests, passing clinicals, and 100% on my other random assignments. First case study is due next week so we will see how I do on that.

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Specializes in psych/dementia.

I REALLY want this thread to stay on the first page. I think it's important we share the good and not only the bad. Let's keep the positivity going!!

Anyway, back to report after getting a test grade back. Still doing well, though no longer have an "A" in Fundamentals LOL. That's okay. Plenty of time left to get an "A" or stay at a "B." I am going to a test review session tomorrow and will see what types of questions I missed. I know I need a lot more practice on NCLEX style questions, espeically ones where it wants it to prioritize a nursing action.

I don't think it's a knowledge deficit but a lag on how to take the tests. I expect to do better on the second test and the professor said most people do better on the 2nd and 3rd exam.

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I agree that it is important to celebrate good grades and keep this thread up on the first page as well. I am just in my 1st semester and just going by what I've learned about my classmates that aren't doing well, it seems that either they aren't doing their reading or are struggling with the NCLEX style questions. All our written exams have been NCLEX based. I think I grasped on to that concept quickly during my summer pharmacology class, but I can understand how it can be difficult to apply fact based study material to situational questions. Those struggling I would suggest to get help now before you get too far under water. My program has retention specialists that are required to meet with you every time you make below an 80 on a test.

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I did really well my first semester. I found it to be the easiest of them all (I'm in my last semester now). I think the secret is understanding how to think critically and I had the Saunders book and would read through the questions on figuring out how to answer them. I ended up with a 93.8% which was a B+

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