How to Avoid Pre-Req Burnout

Pre-reqs are very hard, so it sometimes brings on severe stress and a desire to quit, also known as burnout. Every student has had pre-requisite stress and burnout at one period or another. This article will give tips on how I dealt with pre-req stress and how I overcame it.

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How to Avoid Pre-Req Burnout

When I dealt with Pre-req stress and burnout:

My first experience with pre-req stress and burnout came in the Summer of 2020 when I was studying AP2 and College Algebra (yes, I took these in the same semester). All the material was jampacked into ten weeks instead of the usual sixteen weeks. I developed chronic headaches, tears and I was just over it after the cardiovascular chapter! Somehow, I managed to see it through and passed and did very well in both courses!

Another experience where I dealt with burnout was during the long nights of the Microbiology lab. Although the Microbiology lab was my favorite out of all the labs through pre-req, I personally didn’t like the long nights. I was tired and wanted to be in a warm bed with The Godfather playing while falling asleep. This was my fault. I had taken five other courses on top of this lab while studying for the NLNs.

How I dealt with burnout and stress :

1.  I prayed –  I am not a religious person, but I am a spiritual person. Praying and giving thanks helped me in a way that I can’t put into words.

2.  I listened to music -  If I wasn’t tired before and occasionally after class, I would jam out to my favorite tunes until I went to bed.

3.  I watched TV shows – As soon as I got home, I would always turn on my favorite show or movie! Although it wasn’t much, it did help to calm me down after the long nights of lab practical.

4.  I talked to loved ones -  I spoke to supportive loved ones, and they shared a lot of wisdom and encouraged me with me! While experiencing burnout, I can say that the Microbiology group meeting that I was a part of was one of the best support systems I’ve had while at my community college.

5.  Comedy and laughter – While the godfather trilogies are some of the best movies ever made ( even the third one has its moments), laughter is truly the best medicine! I remember watching my favorite comedy specials and even seeing or thinking something funny to bring a few laughs to my day.

6.  Treat yourself- This can be your favorite meal (in my case) or a nice glass of sangria! I rarely did this, but when I did, I felt so great! This doesn’t have to involve food, but if It’s something like a hike or bike ride, go for it!

For people still in your prereqs, how to avoid pre-req stress and burnout

1.  If you can, please take your science courses alone. DO NOT double up When you are doing science classes, especially for those who are just starting or considering AP with Micro. DON’T! This is stressful, it’s doable, but the stress is something beyond words. If anything, what I’ve learned is to not double up on science courses and, if possible, try not to take them during the Summer.

2.  Take two to three classes tops, but preferably two. Starting out in community college, I started out taking one to two classes, which gave me time to enjoy myself.  Two was doable, and three, although still possible, requires a bit of time.

3.  Go easy in the Summer semester.  Summer semesters are very jampacked, and in some schools, I hear that they can be 4 weeks, but at my school, they are usually eight or ten weeks. If you have to take a Summer class, go easy and try to go for the easiest course you can. If you are a beginner, I would say take English during the Summer.

I hope these suggestions help.  Feel free to add other tips that worked for you. 

GOOD LUCK!!

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TheNursingdoll

About TheNursingdoll, CNA

Hello there! I am a nursing student hoping to get into my technical school's Fall of 2021 program. If you are a pre-nursing student needing help , I will help in any way possible.

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Prereq blues is a real thing and can be depressing.  In some ways, studying for the science prereqs were harder and more tedious.  Pace yourself, stay connected to peers and professors.  If possible, don’t overdue it — you’ll get there.

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Prereq burnout? My first time hearing of this. Good article though.

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Specializes in current community college student/full time.

Thank you for this post.  I just ended my Spring semester at my community college and took anatomy 2 and an Introductory Chemistry course and passed Chem w/ a B not going to lie it was a difficult semester but I made it through a whole year of online schooling. 

 

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Specializes in current community college student/full time.
6 hours ago, Queen Tiye said:

Prereq blues is a real thing and can be depressing.  In some ways, studying for the science prereqs were harder and more tedious.  Pace yourself, stay connected to peers and professors.  If possible, don’t overdue it — you’ll get there.

If possible, don’t overdue it — you’ll get there.  

Thank you for the words of encouragement 

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9 hours ago, Queen Tiye said:

Prereq blues is a real thing and can be depressing.  In some ways, studying for the science prereqs were harder and more tedious.  Pace yourself, stay connected to peers and professors.  If possible, don’t overdue it — you’ll get there.

I agree , the science prereqs were harder to study for , but I feel mainly it's because they were the foundation to nursing. At times , it can be really tedious , especially when you get the muscle physiology LOL. And thank you for the words of encouragement! ❤️ 

6 hours ago, NurseBlaq said:

Prereq burnout? My first time hearing of this. Good article though.

Hey ? It's pretty much like you're getting stressed and exhausted from classes for pre-nurse , like AP or math for example. And tysm! ❤️ 

2 hours ago, jondayko1 said:

Thank you for this post.  I just ended my Spring semester at my community college and took anatomy 2 and an Introductory Chemistry course and passed Chem w/ a B not going to lie it was a difficult semester but I made it through a whole year of online schooling. 

 

Passing Intro Chem with a B is wonderfu! Good job!! ? 

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Thank you so much for your encouraging words

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