Help with balancing LPN school, daughter, and life.

[eelise11]

I am currently enrolled in a 1 year LPN program. It is very fast paced and stressful. We have sometimes 3 tests a day, we end one chapter, schedule a test and we're 3 chapters ahead before we take the test, which is extremely confusing. Although I am keeping decent grades I feel like I'm cramming this information and then forgetting it as soon as the test is done.

I'm very worried that I'm not retaining this information.

I'm also trying to balance my home, husband, 8 month old daughter, sick mother, and my own life along with school. I'm finding it nearly impossible.

Can someone please give me some tips on how to manage my time, family, daughter and school?

They say we need to review our notes every night and I really want to but I haven't been able to do that with the time restraints around school. My daughter doesn't sleep through the night, she's still getting up 3-4 times per night, she cries unless I'm holding her or directly interacting with her.

I know I can do this, I just don't know how I'm going to. :/

[anngg7]

Hi im new to allnurses.com but i too am a parent of three children, i have a husband , a dog, birds, and i am also a full-time pre nursing student. what has worked for me is to try to plan a day ahead. Prepare for your daily routine ahead of time. if you have family members that can help you, utilize them. Remember, it took you a lot of work and effort to get where you are at, make the best out of every situation. As a Christian, I try to put God in first place above all I do throughout the day. I also try to read a verse a day and that brings me internal and external peace to know that I can do all things through Christ whom strengthens me. I hope you can find what works for you. Pray and I'm sure you will. Best of blessings to you and your's.

[gottagetmyrn]

While I don't have any solid advice for you...I just want to tell you not to give up!!! You CAN do this! Pray, and keep working hard at it. Try moving things around in your schedule if possible. Recruit in some family/friends for help with child care. Try not to let the mom guilt get the best of you, this is a short time in your life. Maybe you should try talking to your teachers, or other classmates for advice. See if you can use a voice recorder in class too. Just keep at it...1 year will go by fast! Hang in there and best wishes to you! I hope you get some better responses here!!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

ITA with the advice to pray to God.

I would also recommend that you decide what your biggest priorities are: you marriage, your child, your education or your mom. I'm so sorry to be pessimistic, but I don't believe that a person can have it all, at the same time, 100% of the time.

A lot is dependent on your schools demands, your aptitude for learning and your spouses helpfulness.

If it were me, I'd tell my spouse the specific areas I need him to help with. ie watch your daughter every Saturday or 2 evenings a week or do the laundry, or..... if he didn't help, I'd stop doing the things that interfere with my education and focus on my child and my education.

Sorry I couldn't be more positive and helpful. BTDT.