I am a week into my lpn program & already feeling overwhelmed. Need advice.

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I am a week into my lpn program & already feeling overwhelmed. I have my first test on Monday on the first three chapters of our A&P book & finally got through the first 2 chapters. I have been studying for hours everynight since Wednesday. Its taking me forever to retain all the info. It has been 11 years since I ws in school & had to study for anything so I know its going to take me a while to adjust but I did not think it would be this hard for me to retain the info. If im having this hard of a time with one test & studying for one subject, how am I can handle studying for multiple subjects & having multiple tests a week?! I am so nervous that Im in over my head. Has anyone else felt this way in the beginning? How do you or did you organize your studying so you can study for multiple tests? Does it get easier as you get more into it?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, OB/GYN, ER, Geriatrics.

First off, congrats on making through your first week....yes, when I started LVN school I was feeling the same way, but it does get easier. I found that the first six weeks are the hardest...cramming all this info into your head expecting you to remember it...well, let me say that once you start your clinicals, all the information you are learning begins to make sense and you find that you retained more than you thought.

Taking notes as you read helps retain the info. We had to have A & P completed before we started my program so when we went through that my first semester it was just a review.

I have been out of school for 20+ years so I know what you mean...getting back into the swing of things is hard, but you can do it! Stay focused and know that it will get better...hang in there and know that you CAN do this!

HTH!

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hi there, yes, i know what you mean. i have not been in school for a while too.....i'm in term 1 and passed all the test expect for one!!! i was stressed by reading all the chapters, powerpoints etc! its does get stressful but study endless nights. do flashcards with terms in the book. i have to do flashcards learn the information and then i have to write out the information 5 times to keep in it in my memory. yes, its too many flashcards and writing but i'm doing well. i study in the morning before class, i study during lunch and when i get home for four hours before i go to bed...i have a daughter who's 4 years old so i balance school and her...its working for me. good luck...:lol2:

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I am also a week into my program and feeling overwhelmed. Thank God I go at night and I don't work so I have all day to study before a test. I make a ton of flash cards and go over them a million times!! Sometimes I talk with my daughters about what I'm learning. They have no clue what I'm saying but it helps me etch the info. into my memory... lol. What ever works right? I have a test on Monday for A&P also and I'm not looking forward to it. Today is my husband's birthday so I've spent the day cleaning and getting ready to celebrate. Tonight after his birthday dinner it's right back to studying I go!! I'll probably spend Sunday doing laundry and studying and preparing my schedule for the week. Then Monday I'll be up at 5am to study for a few hours while my kids sleep. Then it's tending to them, chores, and studying until school starts. It feels crazy!!! I am doing well so far but I am not sure what will be on this test. My anxiety level has definitely increased, but it's all very exciting. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I close my eyes and take a deep breath and picture myself as a successful nurse :). You have to keep your eyes on the prize! It's the only way you will make it through to the end!!!

I hope things get easier!! Don't give up!! You can do it!!! :D

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Specializes in Hospice and LTC.

When I first started my program it seemed overwhelming also. As time went on I got use to the test setups which made it easier to study. I think your not in over your head. You will start getting use to the exams and figure out a routine. If you anything bad you can do it. I hated high school got c's and d's in my science courses and I did very well in lpn school. I got a's and b's worked forty hours a week wth a toddler and a rocky relationship. It is tough but if I did it anyone can! Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospice and LTC.

O yea. For a&p. It's mostly memory. Make loads of flashcards. Do your workbook if you have any.

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Yep, like the others have said. Flashcards!!! I started in Jan. I buy the spiral bound notecards and have one for each chapter, sometimes more. I like them because it's easier to keep them organized.

I take notes in class and then rewrite them on the notecards.

I make one for each term that I need to know, I make fill in the blank questions out of my notes. And sometimes I just write out the class notes. I also go along in my book and highlight anything that she says. That way when I'm skimming the chapter, I will know what to focus on. I also make notecards based on those highlights. Yep, it's a lot of notecards but I have only made 1 B (89) and the rest are As.

The workbooks are a great resource, always answer the questions at the end of the chapters. Again, I make a notecard if I don't get the answer right.

Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, LTC.

As I remember, "overwhelmed" is something you will become accustomed to feeling and at that point your confidence rises and it turns into challenged:-) Good luck. repeat many affirmations to yourself such as "I am an excellent test taker..." congratulations on completing your first week!

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