I don't think I can do this :(

jamieekins · Nov 8, 2012

Don't give up! You can do it! Look at how far you have gotten already, you are doing it. Just give it that extra push...I know it is hard. Trust me, I have 4 kids and I have not started my program yet but I know going to school and having children is HARD. Think about all the rewards at the end, it will be all worth the sleepless nights and time away from the kids. If you can do this, you can do anything!

wannabmidwife · Nov 9, 2012

Make a new plan. Nursing school is very frustrating and requires lots of dedication but it can be done. I have four children, ranging in ages from 4-16 and am one semester away from finishing. I was in your same shoes, feeling guilty for not spending more time with the family but wanting more for them at the same time. It's a very difficult adjustment to make but know that it's not forever and it really does go by very quickly. So my advice is to change up your game plan. It's very important to get your house in order first, so stock up on stouffers frozen foods and teach the kids to pick up after themselves and do their own laundry. It's a help even if it's not perfect.

This is what I did to tackle the material: I made sure that I read every word in the chapter, did the study guide, and got a couple of nclex books to try and figure this thing out. Fundamentals success helped me pass the first semester and helped me to understand what to look for and why. Make sure that you are thinking though the concepts. Now this is not memorization, this is understanding. Be able to explain to someone else what's going on and why.

As far as study time is concerned, you need to study everyday, so if you have little ones either put them in daycare 1/2 day or arrange alone time because it's impossible to do with too many distractions. This stuff is hard and you need good chunks of quality study time. If during the day doesn't work for you then try studying at night after they go to bed. The key is periods of quality, quiet study time everyday. I know you get discouraged sometimes, I know I did many many times but once you get a plan that works, it makes things so much easier. Best of luck and don't give up. :up:

Witty3RN · Nov 10, 2012

Make a new plan. Nursing school is very frustrating and requires lots of dedication but it can be done. I have four children, ranging in ages from 4-16 and am one semester away from finishing. I was in your same shoes, feeling guilty for not spending more time with the family but wanting more for them at the same time. It's a very difficult adjustment to make but know that it's not forever and it really does go by very quickly. So my advice is to change up your game plan. It's very important to get your house in order first, so stock up on stouffers frozen foods and teach the kids to pick up after themselves and do their own laundry. It's a help even if it's not perfect.
This is what I did to tackle the material: I made sure that I read every word in the chapter, did the study guide, and got a couple of nclex books to try and figure this thing out. Fundamentals success helped me pass the first semester and helped me to understand what to look for and why. Make sure that you are thinking though the concepts. Now this is not memorization, this is understanding. Be able to explain to someone else what's going on and why.
As far as study time is concerned, you need to study everyday, so if you have little ones either put them in daycare 1/2 day or arrange alone time because it's impossible to do with too many distractions. This stuff is hard and you need good chunks of quality study time. If during the day doesn't work for you then try studying at night after they go to bed. The key is periods of quality, quiet study time everyday. I know you get discouraged sometimes, I know I did many many times but once you get a plan that works, it makes things so much easier. Best of luck and don't give up.

This is perfect advice, I also have 3 children and I only have one more semester left and that's how I got this far. Good luck and don't give up!!'

smatrang001 · Nov 10, 2012

Will your instructors allow you to record lectures? If they do, record it and listen to it while doing your cleaning around the house. It's what I do. I usually study the chapter, then listen to the lecture while cleaning or cooking dinner. It helped me get some cleaning in and study at the same time. Good luck and keep pushing. Have you thought about a study group? Everyone has different ways to help them study, and every subject requires you to study differently. I've been in college forever. I was a Finance major and switched to Nursing towards the end of my major. I learned that I had to change the way I studied for Nursing. Someone may be able to help you with a studying technique that best helps you. One of my classmates use to listen to lectures two times and read the book and do flashcards and wondered why he was suffering so badly, after studying with the A students, he changed his studying technique and it cut his studying time in half and became a B student.