How do you get through the end of semester lazies?

Published

So my process final is on Thursday. It is covering Medsurg, OB, and Peds. It is worth 150 points. I currently have a pretty solid B in the class. But Im being hit with the end of semester lazies (as I call it). Im so tired and the end is so close. Im struggling to make myself sit down and do the review I need to do. To pass with the school's minimum passing rate, I don't have to get a high score on the test, but for my own personal pass rate, I would love to do way more than that. *sigh* How do you break through those last few days where you are just so worn out you feel like you can't read another word??

Thanks in Advance.

Lynn/BW

I can completely relate to this. My other nursing friends were just talking about this right before our finals. What I do when I can't do anymore is I take a dancing break. It may sound funny but seriously it really helps. Just get your mind off nursing, turn your music on and then just bust a move.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The last 2 messages make a lot of sense to me. I do not work full time as almamatters and am not nearly as far along in school as nurse2be09. But I kind of crammed a lot this semester and did not use my time as wisely as I should have. I started out strong but just couldn't seem to get it together for finals. So I really want to get it together for the spring semester as I am set to start my first clinical rotation. I think I will spend some time in prayer and ask the Lord to help me as well as create a study schedule of some sort. Thanks for all of everyone's honesty about grades and study habits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Geriatrics.

I agree with Scorpiostudent.:up:

1. It helps to set a scheduled time for studying.:twocents:

2. Study away from home bc there are to many tempations for distraction.:banghead:

3. Promise yourself that you will stick to your schedule.

4. TREAT YOURSELF TO A LITTLE TIME OFF. Go for a walk,sandwich out, movie.:smokin:

5. Think of the reasons why you started your venture. ( My reason was the family. When I walk out the door I kiss my wife good bye and look at the kids. It was then that I realized if I don't do this we will struggle forever. Not acceptable! Study on!):confused:

6. Routine helps!:cool:

7. Pray, meditate, exercise to relieve stress, sex to relieve stress, what ever works for you.:saint:

8. :argue: Don't argue with yourself. Set the rules and fallow it! You can do it!

Good Luck to you all! I am still rowing the same boat with you all! Keep rowing and well all get there together!

Dave

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in None.

What I do when the laziness REALLY tries ti take over, Is stop and do something else. Sometimes read or watch tv or yack on the phone. Sometimes something really wild like bust out the loud music and dance myself crazy or a high energy activities. Then I get in a good prayer and get back to work. I figure I'll stop working hard once I finish out the program and receive my license!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I can relate to this thread. It is good to see that other people experienced the same thing. For me, my studing started going down a couple of weeks after midterms. I started finding it harder and harder to study. At the begining of the semster I was getting A's in all of my six classes. I just could not find it in me to study for any of my finals. I did very very badly on my patho final and got a B in the class when I could have gotten an A-. Anyway, eveyones advice is really good. I think I like the second part of dbgreen's advice about how you can't always get straight A's. I think I will try to remeber that next semster when I start to hit a wall.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

You push through it!! I had a mad case of the lazies at the end of this semester (mine finished Dec 12th) and i just had to push through it...keep going and studying in order to keep my grades up. It was too easy to just say...i've got this in the bag but i kept thinking, "Karma will get you". So in other words, Finish!

Mex:smokin:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This will probably sound silly, but I have the same issues with losing steam toward the end of the semester. Here are the things I have done to combat this:

Remind myself of a goal I have set after graduation. (Example: Las Vegas trip!) I take a few minutes, look up a couple hotels I will probably stay at, and remind myself how sick I am of studying, and do not want to restudy this again for fear of failure.

Have found a great place to study without distraction.

Have caffeen/vivarin on hand if I start to lose it.

My wife let's me know when I am losing it too, she says it nicely, but I get the clue.

So far this has worked well....1 semester to go, May 8th cannot get here soon enough!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone for your great ideas....

Man, I am still struggling with "end of semester lazies" even though the semester is formally over.

I still haven't taken my final and had to get an extension because I got sick during the exam week. And, I wasn't going into a final with a head full of congestion. So, here I am, still struggling with the lazies even though the exam period is over. But, I will have to kick myself into "drive" mode and soon!!

I think I will do two things.

If I'm studying in a very relaxed atmosphere, it can help my concentration.

For example, if I do a relaxing foot soak while I am reading for school and light a candle, it tends to help.

Of course, I will light the candle first and then do the foot soak.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, Geriatrics.

This is how I earned all A's this semester:

1. Got up and took my wife to work and then went to the library. Sometimes I spent 4hrs.

there and then went and got a sandwich. I took mini breaks for cofee, snack, etc.

2. Went to every class and showed intrest. I ask a lot of questions while others are on

cell phones and lap tops. (Take notes and learn your teachers "style".)

3. Study the pertinent stuff that the teacher stresses during class. (ie: " This will be good to

know in the future."

4. Study at home only if you have to and make sure everyone is asleep.

5. I think it helps if the teacher likes you! Yes, I hate to say it but it plays a part. Put on that

smile and atleast act the part for the semester.

6. Take mini vacations! Go to the mall, movies, gym, spa. Schedule these activities for burn out

emergencies.

7. Most importantly is your daily planner. Use it! Set a time and stick to it.

8. Don't forget love your family. Exspecially your husband/wife. They need attention too!

9. Think of who you will be when you are all done! Treat yourself to fantasy vacations on the

internet and plan out a real one for the end of the semester. (even if it's a day trip, weekender, etc...)

10. Stop reading these forums! If you have been here for over an hour get back to work!

Good luck my friends!!

Dave :0)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion