I need advice... I not the best student, but want to be a nurse more than anything!

zoe92 · Oct 10, 2012

You aren't dumb. BUT you should maybe figure out what the problem is. Is it test anxiety causing you to fail? A learning disorder? Are you actually studying enough? There is obviously something causing you to fail and you need to find out what that is.

countrygirl1234 · Oct 10, 2012

I have ADD, so it does affect my studying and test taking to an extent

stephanne · Oct 10, 2012

I agree with above poster. You most certainly are not dumb, but maybe there is something affecting your learning.

stefonee356 · Oct 10, 2012

I have ADD as well and I know how you feel! You have to get to the point to where you develop your own studying habits and know what you are good and bad at (i.e. taking tests) and work from there. It took me a long time but I found a method that works for me and I will be applying to nursing programs within the next couple months. I have to work HARD for my grades. They don't come easy, but if you have the drive to be a nurse than you can do it. DONT GIVE UP!!!! Good luck to you!

zoe92 · Oct 10, 2012

Does your school offer test accomodations? Like extra time to take tests?

BSNMomOf6 · Oct 24, 2012

Having ADD does not make you dumb. Giving up DOES. DO NOT give up!!! You need to talk to your professors, get their advice on how to succeed in their classes, talk to your schools counselling centers, etc. DO WHAT IT TAKES. I'm a mom of 5 kids, with a husband, and a house, and I have A LOT going on, but I want to be a nurse so badly I'm making it HAPPEN. Seriously, focus on your goal, talk to your school to see what you need to do, and do it. Pull up your big girl panties, stop making excuses saying you're dumb, and get on it girl! You got this! FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS on your goal. You CAN do this.

ginna121 · Oct 25, 2012

Couldn't of said it better the WantToBeMidwife. I am a mom of 4 and a older student. I had not been back to school in 20 something years. I have been doing prereqs for a year. I have a 4.0 GPA right now. I just recently got accepted into the Honors Society and the Honors Program at my school. I work extremely hard to get these grades. If I can do all of this then you definitely can. The only restrictions we have are the ones that we put on ourselves. The best of luck to you. :yes:

maddiem · Oct 25, 2012

I've failed english 111, A&P1, and microbiology. I just feel like such a loser! If I ever make it into the nursing program (probably won't ever be able to) there is NO way I'll be able to pass, because I'm so dumb. My sister is in the ADN program at our local college and she is smarter than me and she just failed out of her first semester. I just feel so discouraged I KNOW this is what I want to do... but I'm just too dumb :'(

You're most certainly not dumb! I'm a pre-nursing student, when I was in high school I was that kid in special math classes because I wasn't up to speed with everyone else, took tests outside of the class room, and had extra help from special teachers...I've been in college for 2 years now and I have a 3.45 GPA and have received A's in both sections of A&P, nutrition, all my psych classes, speech...and B's in a lot of other stuff. I barely passed my senior year of high school. And the reason that is, is because I believed I was dumb. When I got to college, I had to believe that I was smart! I do have to work harder to "be smart". I study more than most people in gen ed classes, and I'm much slower learner than everyone else. But if you REALLY want something, you can do it! It takes a lot of self-discipline to do well in school. Especially if you have a learning disability like ADD. Are you on meds? If not, I'd talk to a doctor. Some of them can really help you. I take bi-polar meds and they do a world of good for me! You will have to really focus hard on your studies and learn to fight the temptation to procrastinate and do other things when you should be studying. Studying is a skill! There is a process to it! Take notes in class, read your book - highlight & annotate!, make flash cards, quiz yourself...And most importantly, don't start studying the week or days before your tests! Study as you go. It will make a huge difference. As for your grades, most colleges allow you to repeat courses and then the new/better grade that you received will replace your old one. But I'd contact your adviser first. Make an appointment with them and talk about your options. Its not over for you! You control your future, not your disadvantages! Good luck, you can do it!

- Maddie

violetgirl · Oct 31, 2012

Dumb? Please, don't go there... Or, we all might fall into that trap!

You want this, right? Well, you can do this... I agree with all these posts...

Find a way in college to get the extra learning support such as, tutoring, extra time on your

test taking, a note taker, bring in a tape recorder, sit next to the top student and join a study group.

Make it your life... Your friends will stay your friends, but put them on hold for a while

to focus on your studying. Repeat all those grades, and maybe take one class at a time to make that grade count.

I myself have a learning disorder, and took many classes together in the past, till I reached the science end of it, and

knew my limits... These classes are tough! Know your limits... So what if it takes you longer than the rest of the students.

I know how you feel about past students that are now nurses... I run into them all the time, in fact I would turn a corner in the

hospital to avoid them , because I was too ashamed to say, I am still a pre-nurse, retaking classes again... Well, those days are gone and my head is held high and still working towards my dream. What do you got to lose? Time? Don't worry about the time, it will go by anyway with you taking classes or not. Best to take a class, and put no time limit on when you become a nurse. Please don't give up! I knew a student who begged the dean of her college to remove many "F" grades and it worked! She passed those classes with A's and B's My hero! We are in different seasons in our life, and it will pull together in a season for you too! God Bless You! Stay Positive!

Jessicainsantafe · Oct 31, 2012

Oh my, Countrygirl 1234! I wish I could give you a big hug! I am in A&P II right now and am struggling to just maintain a B- average! Sometimes I wonder why we have to take so many classes that don't seem to lend themselves to nursing. But I just keep plugging along and study the best I can--in the time I have.

Failing a class doesn't make you a loser---it makes you more prepared when you take it again. I am repeating Algebra, not because I failed it, but because I still don't really understand it. Even the 2nd time around it is still somewhat Greek to me, but I keep on trying. And in the end, that is all we can really do. I think if I just say 'I can't do it', then I won't do it.

Better to have tried and failed than to have not tried at all. We have to keep trying our best...otherwise we won't ever be in that position to really help people. That's the goal, right? You can do it....I can do it...we have to. Too many people are counting on us to do it!

My thoughts and prayers are with you...you go and try your best!