How Did You Survive Nursing School???

np2b · Jun 22, 2004

Study groups. I used to be sort of a "studying loner", but after a few friends from school invited me to a group, I was convert. They kept me awake longer than I otherwise would have, and they kept me sane at the same time (misery loves company). I highly recommend it!

A/A/OX3 · Jun 22, 2004

Hi Everyone! I am a new nursing student and I was just wondering....What was the one thing that you couldnot live w/out to get yourself through nursing school? I have tried everything to keep awake for those long nights of studying, but still I have not found anything that has worked consistantly. Any suggestions?? Thank you so much!!!
...Michelle:p

When I started nursing school I was 38, had four kids and no skills. If something would have happened to my husband, the five of us would have been out on the street. Motivation got me through the long nights and trying days. You have to be 'invested' in what you are doing or all the tips in the world won't bring you success.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 22, 2004

My experience with study groups is bad. For Me, study groups sucked the life out of those of us doing all the work, so I cannot recommend them. Find ONE good study buddy WITH THE SAME HABITS YOU HAVE, not one who will suck the information out of you and never do her share. Also keep a good diet, exercise when you can and get rest, plenty of it. Take it one day at a time and relax. Don't worry too much ahead; handle each day at it comes. Good luck to you!!!!

StephMSeattle · Jun 22, 2004

The four reasons I survived nursing school...in order of importance!

Agnus · Jun 22, 2004

Extreem personal drive. and when all else failed I went to bed and slept.

Even a highly motivated driven person needs to actually give into the need for sleep some time.

If you find that you simply cannot consentrate or function then you are doing more harm than good by trying to force the staying up issue.

Actually I never studied without sleep. I did pull a LOT of all nighters writing papers, care plans, and doing paper prep for clinical but never studied this way.

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2004

Michelle-

I have to concur with Angus: know when to walk away. Even if it's only for fifteen minutes. Call a buddy for a quick chat, have a cup of coffee, surf the net. You'll probably be a little more refreshed. Good luck! We'll be doing this soon enough!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2004

coffee, coffee, and more coffee. LOL

No study groups here either.

Also no matter what I went jogging every other day for an hour, no excuses. Helped clear my head. I was quite religious to and prayed a lot back then. :)

KacyLynnRN · Jun 22, 2004

As a former LPN student and current RN student, I have a few surviving school-tips...

I make a solid effort through school to try to take care of myself so I won't get run down and get sick all the time...healthy diet, working out, and taking vitamins...it is hard with what little time is available, but worth the effort.

As for studying, I highly recommend making 'study cards' whenever possible. Write important points to study on index cards and flip through them and read them over, and over, and over some more. I learn well by writing, and a lot of times on tests I will recall writing something out and that will help me come up with the answer. Plus...these are more portable than your books..I keep mine in my purse when I'm out and study them every chance I get, at red lights, in line at the store, waiting for something, etc...

Make one or two good, close friends in school if at all possible. Talk about your challenges to completing school with each other. They will help keep you motivated, look out for you when something comes up (i.e. car breaks down and need a ride to clinicals, missed class because I was sick & needed notes, class was cancelled for tomorrow and instructor didn't call you, etc...all stuff that has happened to me or my friends in school) and be your support person that is going through the same trying time you are. Make sure you support them as well. :)

One more thing...take 20 minutes right now to sit down and figure out exactly how many days of school you have left before you graduate...make yourself a tear-off booklet where you can tear off each day when it's done, or a calendar where you can X off each day...I know it sounds hokey, but it kept/keeps me motivated to see myself actually making progress towards graduation.

Take a deep breath...try to relax...and know it will all be over before you know it...really! Good luck.

Kacy :)

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2004

To be honest, I barely remember nursing school...I do remember I drank a lot of coffee..