I could use a Pep Talk

JBGC4 · Aug 14, 2007

Wow, you sound like me. We could be sisters! I will apply this fall w/ two classes to take this fall and two in the spring---4 classes. I have a 10 mth old baby and a 2 yo toddler. My husband doesn't have a job quite like your hubs but does work a lot of hours, he is a finance manager at a Honda dealership. I am taking anp I and chem this fall. I am so worried about study time. What I did was add one daycare day to the week for study time. I drink a lot of coffee in the evening!!! It is all that works for me.

You need to hang in there. Studying while not in school is different than studying while taking class. The rush will be there.

Joe NightingMale, MSN, RN · Aug 14, 2007

Wow, it sounds like you are carrying a lot of responsibility! The fact that you've been able to manage so far suggests to me that you have the strength to keep going. Don't let the occaisional bad day or negative thought derail you. You can do it!

:up:

Mommycakers · Aug 14, 2007

I have a 15 month old and 3 other kids so I know it is hard finding study time. I do not work though. I am sure you are exhausted from your day at work. Maybe you should try going to bed when the baby does at 9:30 and then waking up early to study. Get your caffiene fix at 4 AM and start studying. Don't worry, you will find the routine that works for you. I find sometimes if I am too tired to study at night and I am passing out I just go to bed and get up much eariler than usual to study. I took A&P I and II this summer and I made it through. Good Luck.

karen230 · Aug 14, 2007

Wow you do have a lot on your plate but you are not alone. I lurk alot of these boards and see lots of comments from people just like you. You have done a fantastic job so far, you just need to "adjust" your studying schedule alittle for your new baby. You will figure out what works best for you. Maybe after dinner when you would normally be cleaning up the dinner dishes your baby is quite content playing by himself, so maybe that is a time you can pick to do some studying. I have 2 small boys (4 and 1) and will start in January with a pre-req (thankfully the only one I have to take before I can start my program) and I am truly nervous about finding quality time to study. Every time DH says he'll take care of the boys so I can relax, my 4 yo suddenly needs just me for something. So believe me, I know what you are feeling right now. You will get it figured out, I work full-time as well and know that on my lunch I can take a few minutes just to review class notes I have taken, is your lunch at work long enough that you could do something like that? Over the weekend when your not as stressed and have a few moments to sit and really think about your week, write down times during the day you think you can get a little studying down and then watch your week very carefully. Maybe there is a time that you have during the week that you didn't realize you have or something. I know you can be a full-time employee, student, mom, and wife all at the same time. You have been doing it already. Keep up the good work.

catalinaa21 · Aug 14, 2007

You can do it!!! Just make the most use of your time. I have a 15 month old and a 5 year old. What works for me, is to get the kids on a schedule. I also work full time, and will be taking classes this semester Micro and Nutrition. What has worked for me before is to bring my books to work, study for an hour while I eat my lunch. Go home spend time with the kids after work, put the 15 month old to sleep at 7:45 with limited naps during the day and she sleeps till about 10 pm, wakes up for milk and goes back down till 6:45 am. Yes she gets up early but it gives me from about 7:45 - 11 pm of study time. The 5 year old doesnt give me much of a problem but he also goes to bed at 8. Its definately do able. And my husband has hectic schedule also he's a police officer.

LMRN10 · Aug 14, 2007

Wow...are you sure your not writing about me???

It's hard to balance it all, but you will make it work. Make sure your husband knows when that driving test is over, he needs to step up an help out. I have one of those husbands too that really needs to be told when and what he needs to do...he doesn't take the initiative to help me out.

My daughter is a little older - she'll be two next month, but I was going to school when she was 11 months old as well and know it can be challenging. Does your son always go to bed that late? My daughter goes to bed around 8:00, but I will say, after working all day and then taking care of her til then, it still leaves me wiped. Definitely hard to concentrate, but somehow, you get through it!

Just keep it up and make your husband help so that you can finish up your classes and improve ALL of your lives for the better with a great job!!!

My suggestion would be to try getting your son to bed earlier at night, if possible, which will leave you some more time to get some studies in!! And sneak in some study time at work too if that is possible!

Good luck!

Kensington · Aug 14, 2007

alliestar, you are definitely not alone! There are a lot of us out there who feel the same. I just want to let you know that I know you can do it, and like others have said, don't let the occasional bad day make you feel like you can't do this. There will be plenty of good days where you gets lots of studying done, too! I start anatomy next week, and am quite nervous though, so I do understand. Just imagine yourself a few months from now when the class is finished, and you looking at your A grade! Keep that image in your mind when the going gets tough - the time will fly!

alliestar · Aug 14, 2007

All your responses were very helpful. Thank you for the boost.

alliestar

coolpeach · Aug 14, 2007

I was really blessed with a calm baby so I am not sure this will work for really everyone, but its worth a try. In the evenings you could go in his room, and put some toys in the floor for him. Then find yourself a nice comfy place to sit, and read aloud to him from what your studying. I found that when they are young they could care less what your reading as long as they can hear voice. As far as independent study I feel for you. I have three children, and have found it difficult, and I don't work full time. You might also try putting stuff on index cards while everything is crazy (husbands around, tv's blaring, baby's keeps coming up to you) because you really dont have to think much just to write things down. Then at night when you have time to really study everything is broken down on index cards for easy access, and its easier to concentrate on little bits of info. You can also take these with you to work, the car etc. Good luck you WILL settle into a schedule that works. And think about how great it will feel when you graduate, and your only have to work a full time job...it will feel almost like a vacation lol.

Chantels1 · Aug 15, 2007

Coolpeach - can we trade kids for a while? :lol2: I can get the 3 older kids(7, 5, & 3) in bed by 8:30, but the baby (15 months) just won't cooperate. She is attached to mommy at the hip! If I start to read anywhere near her, she walks up and closes the book. Basically a "pay attention to me" thing! I usually can get ger down at 9:00 and then I can study for a while though. I gotta get her to go to bed earlier though!

I love the ideas here! Keep them coming!

coolpeach · Aug 15, 2007

Chantel,

You have your hands full lol. I love that she closes the book (you got to love that). What you need dear is books on tape. You could always get a voice recorder, and when you do read record it. Then when she's around you can listen to it in the background.