I have my syllabus, textbooks, and 1 week to go...Should I start reading now?

[i<3u]

I start the program next Wednesday and I've read many comments about how we should relax and enjoy our break before beginning the program. But....I just bought my textbooks today and we received our syllabus for the entire semester (at orientation). According to the syllabus, we will be going over SIX chapters (not including the chapters required for the lab portion) next week. Oh, and we only have lecture one day a week.

Should I go ahead and get started with going over the chapters. Maybe I'm just super excited/nervous/anxious. I feel like I'd probably be overwhelmed next week, if I don't get a head start...especially after scanning through a couple of pages (GOSH, there's sooooo much information in one *******' chapter). Plus,there's so many textbooks and they are HUGE .

I'm soooo scared now...What did I get myself into lol?

[Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN]

LOL, calm down and take a deep breath, everything will be ok! Don't let the enormous sizes of the books make you panic! There will be enough time to learn what there is to learn if you devote enough time to studies during the term. It's always beneficial to get a head start, but watch out and make sure you don't overwhelm yourself before classes start next week! Maybe skim over some of the chapters and make some bullets or note cards of what you seem most important to spend more time on, if that would relieve some of your stressed emotions. :) Good luck!

[i<3u]

LOL, calm down and take a deep breath, everything will be ok! Don't let the enormous sizes of the books make you panic! There will be enough time to learn what there is to learn if you devote enough time to studies during the term. It's always beneficial to get a head start, but watch out and make sure you don't overwhelm yourself before classes start next week! Maybe skim over some of the chapters and make some bullets or note cards of what you seem most important to spend more time on, if that would relieve some of your stressed emotions. :) Good luck!

Lol, thank you! After purchasing my books (and I'm not even done) I told my mom that I was going to have a nervous breakdown ....EXPENSIVE! Yeah I wasn't sure if I should just dive in and start taking notes and everything or what. I opened that 'Fundamentals' book and thought, 'Now, how in the world are you going to take in all this information?'

But really...I'm so excited! Thank you again for your advice!

[Piper17]

I started reading, just so I would be prepared for the first day of classes. It definitely won't hurt! Just don't stress out when you do it. I sat on my back patio and hung out with my dogs and read a couple chapters, and I took my book to the gym and read on the ellipitcal, it wasn't bad at all :)

[i<3u]

I started reading, just so I would be prepared for the first day of classes. It definitely won't hurt! Just don't stress out when you do it. I sat on my back patio and hung out with my dogs and read a couple chapters, and I took my book to the gym and read on the ellipitcal, it wasn't bad at all :)

Maybe after I just open the book, I'd stop stressing about it, right?

Thank you!

[LauraLiz]

I wish I had my books already cuz I want to start reading know when I have time!

I am soooo scared I won't be able to find enough time to study without having any "break" time between work and kids and class!

[mamayogibear]

Hey Snow,

I know exactly how you feel and started a thread about it last week:P I have just been reading a little and doing the online activities whenever I catch myself having enough free time to just surf the web or whatever. However I have not been stressing what I read or how I do on the activities. I just want to get a feel for how to use the text and the CD and website to my advantage so when something is presented in lecture I will know the best way to find it and how to get the information quickest. So just relax and enjoy reading a good book:)

Best wishes

[i<3u]

Hey Snow,

I know exactly how you feel and started a thread about it last week:P I have just been reading a little and doing the online activities whenever I catch myself having enough free time to just surf the web or whatever. However I have not been stressing what I read or how I do on the activities. I just want to get a feel for how to use the text and the CD and website to my advantage so when something is presented in lecture I will know the best way to find it and how to get the information quickest. So just relax and enjoy reading a good book:)

Best wishes

I had no idea there was a thread posted already. I searched it and everything...maybe I should have worded it differently. But, thank you so much for your advice! Yes, that's my concern...understanding how to use the text and other materials and finding the information quickly. I was told that we get the actual course information (PowerPoints, Lab materials, etc.) on Blackboard tomorrow, so my anxiety should be a little more at ease. Thank you again and good luck !!

[i<3u]

I wish I had my books already cuz I want to start reading know when I have time!

I am soooo scared I won't be able to find enough time to study without having any "break" time between work and kids and class!

I'm working too, but I plan on taking a week or two off to get a little adjusted to the program and my new schedule. Do you start next week too?

And, good luck to everyone!

[SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN]

We have to at our school. At our 2nd orientation they give us a list of pages to read before school starts!

[IaCountryGirl]

If you have a list of meds, I would start making drugs cards now (go by classification!). And start looking up normal lab values of common things (K, Ca, Na, HCT, HGB, etc).

[SC APRN, DNP, APRN, NP]

We have to at our school. At our 2nd orientation they give us a list of pages to read before school starts!

Same at my school we get our reading assignment tomorrow, but have less two weeks to finish that reading I am glad I got a head start.