4.0 GPA people, HOW can you do this?!!!

mybrowneyedgirl, BSN, RN · Apr 12, 2008

You do have a lot going on. I would set aside a few hours on a specific day as couple or family time - even if it's done after the kids go to bed. You might have to stay up later a diff. day to make up the work, but it's needed. You could also write out your weekly schedule and assignments. Show him, talk to him and ask if he could quiz you on your note cards or something like that. Then he'd realize what you're going thru. Good luck in school. You can do it.

jelorde37 · Apr 14, 2008

i just study. i dont study to rememorize, but i study to learn so i can apply what i learn to my job. everybody has their own way of studying but when i study, im usually in front of a mirror talking to myself as if i was giving a presentation. even though 95% of the time i score the highest on tests/exams, homework always brings my grade down. sooo, word of advice, do your homework. :up:

scoacrafter, ASN, RN · Apr 14, 2008

I agree with alot of the previous comments. I have given up literally all of my recreational activities. I don't watch TV, I don't sew, I don't do anything but... study, go to school, work 32 hrs a week and try to stay sane. Thursday and Friday nights are "family" nights where I read books and play with my two boys (11, 7) The rest of my "free" time is spent studying and reading. Any spare second that I have I spend with my family. So far, I have been balancing things ok most of the time. :wink2: It is hard, but temporary. Good Luck!!

JenniferMPH · Apr 18, 2008

I've generally found that the difference between an A and a B is a lot greater than the difference between a B and a C, in terms of work.

It usually means that you spend one of your weekend days working in a coffee shop or library.

I have a BA with high honors, and a masters from Berkeley with a 3.8. I can honestly say that the only time my grades actually mattered was for application to other schools.

If it weren't for future academic goals, I would have chosen to study differently.

There are times when things need to be memorized to earn you the grade. But, that sort of studying was never any benefit beyond the exam.

So, I think the key is to figure how much your grades matter.

Obviously, you need to pass - but do you need an A? If you don't, cut yourself some slack.

The more important strategy is learning what you need to know in order to do well in your career. Then, if you still need the grade, throw in the extra time.

Those are my 2 cents.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 18, 2008

Some people I knew took one pre-requisite course at a time and gave it all they had with the same suggestions I saw mentioned thus far. It is hard to obtain and maintain a 4.0 GPA, but believe me, they dedicated all of their time and efforts, and some- like these students I just mentioned, worked their way around the system to take courses one by one to get accepted into the RN program.

decartes · Apr 18, 2008

How? I enjoyed the knowledge.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 18, 2008

I've generally found that the difference between an A and a B is a lot greater than the difference between a B and a C, in terms of work.
It usually means that you spend one of your weekend days working in a coffee shop or library.
I have a BA with high honors, and a masters from Berkeley with a 3.8. I can honestly say that the only time my grades actually mattered was for application to other schools.
If it weren't for future academic goals, I would have chosen to study differently.
There are times when things need to be memorized to earn you the grade. But, that sort of studying was never any benefit beyond the exam.
So, I think the key is to figure how much your grades matter.
Obviously, you need to pass - but do you need an A? If you don't, cut yourself some slack.
The more important strategy is learning what you need to know in order to do well in your career. Then, if you still need the grade, throw in the extra time.
Those are my 2 cents.

Unfortunately, though, nursing schools are so competitive that earning a 4.0 in their pre-requisites has been the only assurance that a candidate would get a seat in nursing, especially for Associate Degree programs. I have seen students earn a 3.8 through literal blood, sweat and tears, and STILL not get accepted. This is why some of the RN candidates in my college started taking one class at a time (especially the sciences). They would give that one class 1000% of their energy to ensure success. If they discovered that a class was too difficult, they would drop it early enough not to have it appear on their transcript. One girl did this painstaking process and it took her almost two years, but she obtained her 4.0 and got accepted.

I agree with you, that in many cases, that memorization does not really help one past the exam, but, people do what they have to do. I think this is mainly because of the shortage of instructors and clinical sites that have caused this misfortune.

justcharlotte · Apr 18, 2008

Got another scenario foor you , any advice would be appreciated ~
I am also a student taking 17 credit hours this semester with a 3.89 GPA not counting this Spring but it looks to go up just a little(pre-nursing til this Fall)with children at home, 5 actually ..ranging in age from not quite 3 year old twin boys to an 11 year old girl ( thank God for mothers little helper!)and in the midst of this a special needs child 5 years old...school is not as much a challenge as personal time, school is, for me an I know I have to do this RIGHT NOW thing, so personal time especailly with hubby suffers...he has no concept of how much I have to do and how important it is,he is supportive, very much so but I think he just does not get the scope of my world right now..he has never written a 6 page proposal paper to be turned in to a tempermental grader, therefore the pressure I am under is forgien to him! Any advice on how to show him my view , or squeeze in a little US time?!?!
I need a solution in the mean time but This Fall I hope it eases up a little as I will Hopefully be in RN classes and I HAVE TO BE FOCUSED and HE is beginning pre-reqs looking at getting a degree in some area of health care..respiatory tech or radiograpy are his tops right now~ I hope he gets a better perspective and we can compliment each others study styles and schedules...I know it will improve our time together, he has recruited me as tutor(poor james!)
Sorry for the long rant ~feel better now though ..thanks allnurses!

wow- no worries about ranting it's good to get it out and that sounds like a really insanely busy situation

I don't have kids so I can't really give you a lot of advice, but maybe you should try to initiate the 'I'm in nursing school so you guys have to help out' attitude now- because these classes help determine whether you will get into nursing school and they are important! Your husband isn't in pre reqs yet so try to get him to do as much work with the kids and around the house as possible so that in you 'spare time' you can spend time WITH the kids instead of doing laundry- and for your kids that are old enough get a few chores going on just to get them into the habit so when you do get into nursing school it's not as big a shock.

good luck! :up:

keepingmycool30 · Apr 18, 2008

I didn't have a 4.0 last semester but I did have a 3.7. I work full time and go to school full time and have a 11 yr old. My best solution..try your best and if you do get a B it is not the end of the world. I like all A's too but I'm realistic. I know nurses who had all C's and know alot more than the A nurses.