I think I might be losing my mind

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I am an LPN student and I am very stressed out. I've been in nursing school for 6 months, my program is 13 months all together. Thus far(by the grace of God), I have managed to maintain a B average. Long story short, I started med surg two weeks ago and I'm at the point where I want to say screw everything. It's so hard and I spend hours upon hours of studying and I'm still not getting the hang of it. For the past two weeks I've dreaded going to school. When I enter my class this feeling of failure comes over me and I sit in my chair feeling hopeless. Anyways, last Wednesday was the start of my two week Summer break. As of now, my grade is 78%(77 is the passing grade for my program). As much as I want to just sit back and enjoy my break I can't because I'm trying to figure out ways to improve my grade. Has anyone else ever felt this way. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Yes, I felt that way in nursing school. I did the only thing I could do, I studied & studied some more. Why don't you devote like two hours a day while on break to studing & answering NCLEX questions. In nursing there is always something to study. Even after you graduate, you'll still have to study for the NCLEX.

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Med surg. was challenging. Ob/Peds almost failed me. My advice is for every hour of lecture, study 2-3. Make note cards, posters, anything to change up the study habits so you don't get bored. What REALLY REALLY helped me grasp information from med. surg was watching youtube videos explaining a certain area or disorder. 3 hours a day, and then put everything away and enjoy the rest of your day. Stay positive!!! I swear, every day I would cry to my bf because I would study so hard and for so long and make Cs on tests...but you can do it!!! Talk to your teacher..they really helped me with what I should focus on for tests, ect.

good luck!!!

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I will be starting school in a little over a week. I will have 12hrs of lecture a week. If I dedicate 3hrs per lecture hour on study time, that means I'll need 36hrs studying time a week?!! I will have Fri, Sat and Sun to pull a 6hr session each day. I will have an additional 6hrs total the rest of the week, that's 24hrs all together. If I put in any more time than that I'd burn out from exhaustion. I know there is a lot to learn and I do NOT want to put in all this time and money to fail out. I don't know how people do this, or if the programs are designed to fail? Don't we want GOOD nurses? Is it all about schools making money and pushing people through as fast as possible? I would HAPPILY attend a part time course if t meant that I'd end up a GREAT Nurse rather than a fair one who ran herself into the ground in the process. This site is scaring me.

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I have been in your shoes! What I discovered was that my previous study methods just weren't working anymore so I changed them.

Before nursing school, I studied by myself but decided to get a study buddy and I got my first A! Quizzing each other and asking potential exam questions really helped. You're already at school, why not go earlier or stay after? If you don't want to meet at your house, you can meet at school (library, café etc). We even went over our powerpoints/ study guides over the phone. Find someone dependable that you trust and feel safe asking questions. It may take a while because one never took me up on my offer, and another kept saying yes but never came through. The other ones I met, though nice were not compatible study buddies.

Sit near the front of the class. Less distraction, easier to see and hear.

Use Youtube, Google and Khan Academy. Sometimes, it just takes someone else to explain it in a different way.

Record the lectures! At home, I listen to the recording and follow along with my hand written notes and make changes as applicable. Listen while driving or doing chores. You'll be amazed at what you missed in class.

Review the answers after an exam and take advantage of office hours for further discussion/clarification of exam questions.

One professor always gave us a hand out and basically told us to memorize the info. Another loved asking the select all that apply” questions so I knew to spend more time on her lectures. And the last one used questions straight from her powerpoints. Once you know their style”, you will be able to anticipate potential questions and study appropriately.

Take the end of the chapter practice tests and try to explain something that you learned to a friend or family member to help gauge your understanding.

Utilize test taking strategy books and read the entire question before answering. Usually, there are more than 1 correct answer, so the key is to select the best” answer. Unless it is a select all that apply” meaning there are at LEAST 2 correct answers. Do the easy ones first.

Review your notes immediately after class, once you get home and before bed. Studies show that reviewing it multiple times will help you retain more of it for a longer period of time.

Do the readings, objectives and review the powerpoints BEFORE class. Lectures will make more sense.

My classmates average 36-40 hours a week studying which means no going out and no more Netflix. Focus on weak areas.

Remember, you're smart enough to have gotten in. Study smarter. Not harder. You can do it. Good luck!

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