How to stay motivated ... and sane

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Hey ya'll,

*This is a rant*

I start nursing school in the fall, so this summer I was required to take pathophysiology. It hasn't been too bad, but with every week that goes by it gets worst. I did pretty good on the first two tests. Was for sure I was going to come out with an A. I just took a test today and I was so unprepared!

Yes, this is a summer course. I knew it would be fast paced, but unless I wanted to give up my seat in the nursing program I had to take it.

This is where my problem comes in. My professor .. not the best. I'm just not fond of how he teaches. Starting Monday of this week, we had 8 pages of notes, Tuesday-9 pages, Wednesday's are quiz days, but we still went over 8 more pages of notes. Then Thursday, the day before the test, he gave us 15 PAGES OF NEW NOTES..that had to be learned back and front by 8 am the following morning.

On top of that, he always gives us 4 essay questions that include etiology, patho, diagnosis, and treatment/prevention of a disease--He randomly picks two for the test so we have to learn those back and front as well. This week he gave us 5 questions.

I already know I failed the test. I was being pulled in too many directions at once. I didn't know whether to continue studying the notes I received earlier during the week, try to memorize the essay questions, or try to cram 15 pages worth of new notes into my head in one night.

By 10 pm last night my brain had reached capacity! I could no longer study. I get so frustrated when things like this happen. I have tried to reach out to the professor to ask him if he could post notes early, that way during the weekend I can study and be ahead of the game. He will not do that! He waits 'til the morning of class to post any notes at all!

I'm so aggravated with this professor. I actually enjoy the class, but I dread going now. I feel like I'm going crazy trying to learn all of this info and becoming less motivated. 2 more weeks left!

If you've already tried to talk to the professor about a problem and he's not willing to help out, what would you do?

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Specializes in ICU, Radiology,Infectious Disease,Forensic Nursing.

Lol you would not happen to be in Illinois would you? Sounds like a patho teacher I had. I liked him however. Usually he stuck exactly to his notes. I just memorized the shiz out of them an took the tests.

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

Good practice for nursing school and the vast amount of reading assigned and information you will have to absorb in a short time. I know the feeling of "brain being at capacity". Wish I had some advice besides just keep pushing through as best you can. Some people utilize study groups. Have you tried that? Study groups don't work for me but others find them extremely helpful. Do you record the lectures? Sometimes listening to them again is helpful. It sounds like a tough class with a tough professor. I wish you the best.

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Have you heard of concept maps? That's what helped me pass patho. Google it if you don't. You can take his notes and make patho flow sheets out of them. Let me know if you want to learn more.

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Just an update, class has now ended! I ended up getting a B in the class. Pathophysiology in 5 weeks and I got a B? I'll take it! 3 weeks left of this summer before nursing school starts! I'm so excited. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. :)

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Haha! You have just learned how nsg school will go: "stupid prof! This is ridiculous! I can't possibly do this! I'm exhausted! I give up! Who cares. Crap I failed that for sure! Holy cow, I passed! That wasn't so bad..." Repeat

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Congrats on passing! !!!

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Specializes in ICU.

I take my final for my college algebra class this week. It was an 8 week class and just went by quickly. I did not like it at all. It was my first online class. I'm just praying to keep my B as I also need this class to be able to stay in the program. Glad you passed!!

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Congrats for the B! :) That class (rather, teacher) sounds like torture haha, not sure if I would have been as lucky.

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Specializes in MH, ED, ICU.

You took that jerk for patho during summer? Man, you're brave! How did you end up doing in the class?

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You took that jerk for patho during summer? Man, you're brave! How did you end up doing in the class?

Lol. Yes, I took him! I'm assuming you already know who it is since you attend/attended the same school (your username gave it away). I had no choice since I start NS in the fall. It was definitely not easy. I literally had no life for 5 weeks. I ended up getting a B in the class.

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Thanks everyone!

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