Getting Organized Before Starting School

Kabin · Jul 25, 2005

We were informed at orientation that we'll be given a patho test on the 3rd week of the semester to evaluate knowledge base. If we do poorly, we must remediate. Supposedly test results are compared to the national average so I think everyone will be taking the same test. So, I've been reading my old patho notes as well as touching up on medical terminology.

nursingismydream · Jul 25, 2005

I will try to add some ideas that you haven't seen. I do a lot of the things already mentioned. anyway, I invested in a regular planner, then I bought a dry erase board. All appts., sports schedules, class schedules, etc. get put into the planner. At the beginning of the month when I redo the calender I transfer all of that months stuff to the dry erase calender. It is posted right in front of the door. It gets checked everyday like clockwork to see what is coming up and etc.

My children are 6, 8, and 10. I started a chore list for them that alternates by week, not day. That way they don't fight over whose day it is to do what. There is no confusion because they have the same chores all week.

I make out a grocery list every two weeks of the things that I will need for meals during that period of time. That way I know exactly what I have and there are no extra trips to the store.

We are a very busy family, like many here. I find that it is easier to have a scheduled day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner all around the same times. Some nights very, but that is what leftovers are for. Bedtimes at the same time everynight etc.

I have two crockpots. The crocks are removable. So when I use them I try to make sure there is enough for two meals. when dinner is over, I put the crock in the fridge for taking for lunch or leftovers on a hectic day.

I pack back packs the night before, as well as lunches (what I can). And school clothes are all laid out.

I make lists and put post it notes on my fridge to remind me of things. Funny that way.

I am not so worried if things just get out of hand sometimes and the day just doesn't go well. We all have days like that and it is important to remember that. I just get up the next day and keep going. My hubby is a wonderful help, and when he can (works afternoons) he does as much as possible to help at home. I have realized that, for our family, being as organized as possible works best. But it sometimes can get out of hand. I know people that spend more time trying to get organized then actually getting things done. Do what works for you. If it doesn't work, try something else. Trial and error.

hikernurse · Jul 25, 2005

I'm a list girl. I spend about an hour a week planning out my homework by the day as well as making a list about house things and kid things. I plan meals by the month, but for the most part, I just keep re-using that same month over and over again, just changing meals for holidays and updating for season changes. I also let DH and my mom know which days I'm going to need extra help.

We're moving at the same time we're finishing the house and so things are really chaotic here, but I'm going to try to have everything organized and tidy by the time school starts. Even if the painting, etc. isn't quite finished, I'd rather bite that off in smaller chunks throughout the next few months rather than stress out over it now.

I'm buying the family extra underclothes so that if I don't get to the laundry quite as often at least everyone's hygiene won't suffer, LOL. And I'm stocking up on easy meals and some frozen dinners.

The hardest step for me is stepping back and letting others take charge--I know they won't do things as well as I do, LOL. I'm trying to accept that things are going to be crazy and that's just where we're at right now. If visitors are bothered by having to shove off a pile of clean unfolded clothes off the couch in order to sit down, I'm happy to have them jump right in and fold them. Heh, if I'm lucky, someone will be offended by a messy bathroom and have at it with Comet :).

Spatialized · Jul 25, 2005

Looking back at my first year I wish I had been a lot more organized, but as a believer in chaos theory I knew it would work itself out. And to some extent it did, but like I said, I wish I was organized.

Some things I did that helped:

1. Planner or PDA to keep track of schedules, assignments and some clinical cheats.

2. 2 bags, one for classroom days, the other for clinical. Each one stocked and independent with very little to transfer bewteen the two.

3. Kept a plastic crate in my car to hold all my books, so that I wouldn't forget them at home. Monday mornings carrying them all back out to the car sucked, but it was great when I realized I needed a particular book at work and could run out to the car to get it.

4. 2 alarm clocks.

5. Coffee maker on timer.

6. Learned about my crock pot.

7. Most importantly, took time for me (and the wife...). Took a day every now and then where I didn't crack the books, or worry about school, just have time to decompress.

Things I wish I would have done:

1. Paid for classes and books earlier.

2. Had a designated study area, other than the couch.

3. Had a car that wasn't so old and "unique" (in other words not exactly reliable and stress free)

4. Set up a schedule for all the things needed to keep a house running. I didn't and the wife and I would spend days off doing nothing but cleaning.

5. Done this a long time ago! :banghead:

Hope this helps a bit...

Cheers,

Tom

SusanJean · Jul 25, 2005

Great suggestions!

A couple things I would add:

If your bank offers it, use the on-line bill pay. It is free, and once you are set up, paying bills takes less than 5 minutes a month. Re-occurring bills can be set for auto-pay so they just "go." (I found that once school starts time is a blur and I forget to pay the bills - oops.:chuckle )

If you have kids that you hope will be helping w/ the cooking, use the time now to teach them some favorite easy meals. Mine loved learning to cook their favorites and are proud that they can be a "chef" one night a week. And they do have daily chores that contribute to the household upkeep, not just pick up their room- this is ongoing throughout the year.

If you are using new technology, ie PDA, laptop, etc., learn to use it before school starts. Once you are in a busy schedule, you won't have the time to figure it out.

SJ

southerngirl · Jul 25, 2005

I, like many of us, am staring my first semester in August. I've been a stay-at-home mom since the birth of my twins six years ago. I have been going to school for the last two years but I know that nursing school will demand a whole lot more of my time. I'm looking for ideas on what kinds of things others have done to make life easier at home before school starts so that the house runs smoothly during school. I am not the best housekeeper on the norm, and of course, I do all the shopping and pay the bills and set all the doc/dentist appts., etc. Have any of you found a routine that works for you? I hope this makes sense. LOL!!! I'm just down to one month before school starts and I want to get all my ducks in a row. Thanks in advance for any input.

Hi!

I'm sure this has all been said before but this is what has aided me through the first year!

I have learned organization is the key to sanity! I found that once I started nursing school I was losing my memory for the simple things such as bills, apts etc. I purchased a student detail planner. I really liked the one that breaks the day down in hours. Anyway, I would plan my study plan for two weeks or so at a time. On the day at hand I would get into detail by how many pages of reading, assignments and even break times. I would also note apts, test days etc bill due dates if I didn't remember. This improved my productivity during study days and allowed me to be finished before school let out. Look into child care now if you know your schedule. You will alway know that your kids are in good hands and if you are late from clinicals, lecture etc they are safe and sound!

I found myself preparing a lot of frozen foods. The crock pot is wonderful because you can do it the morning or evening before and your family still has a decent meal. Cleaning did fall to the waist side. I encouraged everyone to help pitch in to keep the house running. This included making sure my husband could be home on time and giving a helping hand.

Nursing school takes a lot of your time. I found that by using a planner and things like the crock pot gave myself extra time to spend with my family. Organization and time management are going to be the key! The program I attend was smart enough to have a little social gathering for famalies of the nursing students. The facilty was able to speak to the spouses etc concerning the demands of nursing school. This was great because only you know what the program is like. This gives the spouses information other than you so they are more likely to be underrstanding. I hope the program you are attending does this too. As long as you can get organized there will be less stress for you and yours.

Good luck! The first year is a long and bumby ride, but oh is it exciting!!!:balloons: :chuckle

jeannie143 · Jul 25, 2005

Sounds like Albertarosern07 has one of the most important things you can have already.....the RIGHT ATTITUDE! Afterall, it is all about us for the next couple of years. Good Luck to all of you! :chuckle

jules_ · Jul 25, 2005

I started a couple of weeks ago, getting my family in order. I have two teenage boys, 13 and 15. They do their own laundry now. I have also taught them to empty dishwasher and trash and any general straightening that has to be done w/o being asked. It is part of their chores. If they do not get it done they lose an electronic device or whatever else that will get their attention. I try not to get angry, I just calmly say ok well you lost video games for tomorrow. It seems to be working. My kids have been very supportive. They realize that have carted them everywhere for all these years and they want me to stay in school and finish, so they are willing to help.

I also use a PDA, still looking for the right software to buy.

Setting up car pool.

I look at studying as if it were a job. I have a quiet place and I just schedule the time to study and stick to it. Unplug phone and try to stay on task, no other chores while studying.

I hope this will work because I was accepted into the program sooner than expected, pulled from wait list, and I still have A&P II and Micro to complete before next Fall.

On other thing I have not seen and is oh so important is Pray!!!! And have everyone you know pray for you also...It certainly can't hurt..

oregonrene · Jul 26, 2005

I'm loving all these suggestions!

FAIRYTALES · Jul 26, 2005

I am stating LPN program in Oct. I have 3 kids(14-my problem child--9 my lawyer for unfairness in the world--6 my princess who thanks she should'nt have to lift a finger)ohhhhlord help me lol and then my otherhalf who has been informed he is going to

be the mother for 15 months and your posts have great ideas THANKYOUTHANKYOU!any suggestions on how to keep hair intact ??????LOL LOL

Momto3andNurse2B · Jul 26, 2005

Most of this has already been said, but the most important things for me are:

1. Lunches, clothes, backpacks, etc. for ALL of us ready the night before. Also, table is set for the kids' breakfast, especially on the days when I won't be there to supervise.

2. Don't go to bed unless the kitchen is clean.

3. Online bill pay -- it literally takes me about 2 minutes to pay all of my bills.

4. Plan meals ahead, and use crockpot or quick-fix meals as much as possible. Anything that needs to be chopped or browned I try to do the night before and put in a ziploc bag, so it's ready to go.

I like the 2-backpack idea, I might have to try that one!

nursingismydream · Jul 26, 2005

http://organizedhome.com/

http://www.flylady.net

Wanted to offer these websites to whoever would like to check them out. While I don't use all the tips on them, I have taken some and rearranged them to fit my lifestyle. Hope it can help some one.