I came a LONG way! How about You?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 23, 2004

Oh, yes.......I couldn't even do long division when I started college 17 years after graduating from high school, and I sailed through all my math classes with "A"s. I always tell that story to people thinking about going back to school, because if I could do it, anyone can! :)

PamRNC · Oct 23, 2004

Making good grades is cool huh?

I'm back in school again. After high school I didn't really know what I wanted to do, so I blew off college after two years and poor grades and went to work. When I finally realized nursing was a good career I went after my AAS with gusto, and now 10yrs later I'm going for my BSN with the same commitment I give to my job. A's and B's are the result.

Of course, not much of a social life is also a result, but then that's why I come here.

futurenursingstudent · Oct 24, 2004

nurse-

this is very encouraging,thank you.if u can do it i can do it too :) i am graduating from high school this year with like a C+ average,however all my math grades in high school (except for this year and an online course i did over the summer) have been Ds :crying2: im applying for my LPN because the way my grades are,i would be taking remedial classes before even trying for the classes for the ASN.My plan is most likely to try to do LPN to RN online.

-angela-

ADS RN · Oct 24, 2004

Hang in there!!! Issn't it amazing what a difference time and attitude make and how much clearer hindsight is? After 13 years of being at home I got my CNA and my instructor encouraged me to go on to RN. Most days I'm glad I did. I love working with the elderly, altouugh sometimes I think Alzheimer must be contagious!!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2004

I was so unchallenged in high school that I didn't apply myself hardly at all, but even just showing up ended me with b's. I didn't like that message, and didn't like the habits that put in my head about studying.

But I waited quite a while before attending school. And once I hit college, I was pretty focused on what I wanted to do and soared! I think it just has to weigh on your motivation. I was on the National Deans list all 6 years...something I didn't think was possible...I was learning faster than I could imagine. I even learned math...MATH, not my best subject by far, and I was acing it!!!! I was so happy! Guess that is kind of why I would love to be a career student! LOL!!!!

Hang in there, really look into your own ways you learn...is it hands on, is it by reading, is it more interactive? Do you memorize better with humor, stories, just reading? Do you test well, have relaxation methods before tests? All these things. Look deep and remember that this is your time, and YOU will make the difference...so be your own advocate and don't take what info is given to you...make yourself receive it (which takes practice!...Like me, I would go home and really take what the professors where telling me and translate it to my style of learning! And the net really helped!!!! I looked at so many sites made by nurses and patients about various conditions and it really helped me to link info to stories...especially written by someone with a condition. I would come up to a test question about say...kidney failure..and would go "oh yeah...little Sarahs website" and the info flowed out of me!).

YOu will get it, just take this opportunity to learn how you learn...and that you carry with you for life! :)

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Oct 24, 2004

I was so unchallenged in high school that I didn't apply myself hardly at all, but even just showing up ended me with b's. I didn't like that message, and didn't like the habits that put in my head about studying

I really could of cared less about studying when I was in high school. I was a daydreamer. I didn't want to go to college. My Dad said humor me "go sign up for this LPN program" and see if you can get in. I thought I was signing up to be a CNT. Well, I did get accepted. Dad said "I'll buy you a car and give you money" so off to LPN school I went. The first day of class I'm sitting there thinking, "damm, I'm gonna be a white dress wearing nurse" "This might be kinda cool, giving shots and stuff". I ended up at the top of my class and realized this was my calling in life and went to college and got my RN. Graduated with a 3.87. Dad was happy :rotfl:. Was glad he didn't waste his money after all! P.S. TriageRN_34......that's not really you in that photo is it?

Jo Dirt · Oct 24, 2004

Good grades in college have absolutely NOTHING to do with being "smart." It's how you study. Some people are simply good at taking tests/studying, some people haven't figured out how to take tests/study.

I didn't know anyone who didn't pass high school by simply showing up. High school is geared so that any simpleton with the gumption to show up everyday can finish, and yes, high school is very unchallenging, it does not prepare students for the real world. It is what what they choose to do with their high school diploma once they get out of school.

Some seize the opportunity to further their education as soon as they step off the stage with their HS diploma. Others take awhile to figure it out. Personally, I like to see older college students, they are always more focused and the A students.

Kaelie · Oct 24, 2004

High school is geared so that any simpleton with the gumption to show up everyday can finish, and yes, high school is very unchallenging, it does not prepare students for the real world.

Interesting. I showed up to every class in high school and tried hard, but still had to take grade 11 & grade 12 math over again. High school was far from easy for me. But after i had a baby at 18, i figured it was time to get my butt in gear and really follow my goal.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 24, 2004

I was so unchallenged in high school that I didn't apply myself hardly at all, but even just showing up ended me with b's. I didn't like that message, and didn't like the habits that put in my head about studying.

Bingo. I still fight my poor study habits to this day, as I apply to CRNA school. I know I'm smart enough and I can do it, but through high school AND college I slid by with some pretty minimal effort. I'm having to learn good study skills now at 27 - how to concentrate for long periods, make flashcards, figure out how to best retain information. Studying for the CCRN is keeping me very busy.

I'm resentful, frankly, that no one ever noticed how bored I was and tried to challenge me. I take responsibility for my laziness and am doing my best to change it - but wouldn't it be great if I'd been interested in and challenged by school from the beginning?

bsnrnoh · Oct 24, 2004

:nurse: I was a high school dropout, got my GED a year later, at 26 I went to nursing school and got my BSN and RN.

There are not limits to what you can do if you really want it.

Good luck.

kids · Oct 25, 2004

I started nursing pre-reqs at 22 with a 7th grade education and a GED.

It took me 5 quarters to pass 3 quarters of Chemestry, all with the same instructor. To this day I think I passed organic chem purely because the instructor was tired of my face.