I get so excited at the beginning of the semester

rayhay · Jan 6, 2010

i'm super excited too! right now im on winter break which is 5 weeks (!) and its only been 3 so far and i feel like i cant wait to go back to school but i know once i start im going to be drowning in hw! i've taken 15-18 units/ semester and maintained an excellent GPA-my trick is to NEVER procrastinate. i feel like i actually have some sort of problem where i CANT procrastinate, if for some reason i do, i feel like i can't work at all, so i always get my work done early. the best trick for/against myself is that i tell myself a test/paper is due 2 days before it really is. And i force myself to believe it- i put it in my calendars, silibus, etc. that way incase an immergency does come up i will have already been ready. The hard part is sticking to it, but if you do, it will REALLLLY help! i hope you give it a try!

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 6, 2010

The same thing happens to me! Like rayhay, I took a large load. Last semester is was 16 credits and this semester it will be 18. All I can do during that slump is just plod through it! I did myself up a spreadsheet listing every assignment, test and discussion due and sorted them according to date. I ended up with a list to work off of. In my slump, I just kept chipping away at my list one assignment at a time till I reached the end - and drawing a big black line through the finished ones is a good feeling. Instead of writing things down two days early, I just did them two days early (or more)... if I was struggling, then I had a buffer.

jennylouwho · Jan 6, 2010

I'm excited as well. I took 15 credits last semester and think I'm taking 17 this semester, though I keep thinking I might be crazy and that I should drop one course and take it this summer when I take Microbiology. I haven't hit burn out stage, but I try to take it in small increments and take things week to week. It's important to not get behind or you'll feel like you're playing catch up the rest of the semester. I do admit that when last semester was over, I was ready for it to be over, lol! We have a five week break, which seems a bit much to me. :)

christinamuniz · Jan 6, 2010

thanks for your ideas guys, I'll definitely be taking all of your advice... I just hope my 3 kids don't get in the way too much (yeah right!!!). I'm starting a PCT course on Saturday and challenging the Red Cross for my CNA skills test on Sunday... and then Monday school starts. It's gonna be a busy weekend!!

simplyashley21 · Jan 7, 2010

Hmmm... what an interesting thought. I agree with previous posters, you can only eat an entire elephant if you take it one piece at a time. Basically try not to become overwhelmed. (Breathe and get enough rest) I wrote a list in my subject's notebook that stated reasons why I needed to do well in the class and remain motivated. It helped when I felt academic lethargy setting in on me.

Kenrb27 · Jan 7, 2010

You guys are crazy taking that many credits at once. But I guess I'm taking around that number as well because I'm taking a CNA course on top of my 12 units of pre-reqs. I'm always excited at the begining of the semester but at the end I'm very ready for a break. Your right, winter break has been too long.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Jan 7, 2010

I just consider it practice for nursing school! :lol2:

peas&carrots · Jan 11, 2010

I also have alot of credits this semester but I just tell myself the more I take now the less I have to take when I'm in the program. It will be nice just to take straight nursing classes. I could have put off some because I don't need them till the ADN program starts but the more I get done now the better. The way I avoid burnout is to make sure I always keep my school stuff organized. I know it sounds silly but I'm particular about where all my papers and assignments go. I also make sure I take the time to get in exercise through the week. It's amazing how much looser you feel when you spend some time on the elliptical. :)