I'm 42 and I'm new here !!

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Hi Everyone,

I'm so glad I came by and read many of your entries. I am 42 years old and having been laid off from my job in Silicon Valley three years ago, I'm now enrolled in a community college - wrapping up my prereqs for the Nursing Program.

I can identify with starting new again, especially in my forties now. I thought that there was something wrong with during those first few semesters because I would sit in the parking lot before the first day of class and cry in my car. I was scared to death to go to my class. I'd grab my new binders and backpack and put on a pair of sunglasses as I ventured into the young people on campus, afraid of standing out. I have to say that all of my prereqs have been awesome. Public Speaking was often terrifying and I have some great stories to comfort anyone with stage fright -- you couldn't possibly blow it worse than me, but I got an A in the class all the same. I struggled through Anatomy and came away with a B, and now I'm freaking out in Physiology.

Next is Microbiology and that scares me. I sometimes envy the people in the pottery classes as I trudge by their rooms on my way to Physio.

I'm so glad to be here and I will be back often!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Hospice.

Hi Rine!

I'm 43 and finishing up my prereqs too. The last one to go is Micro which I will start at the end of May. I too was very fearful of starting back to college after so many years but I have found that I love school.

Welcome to Allnurses!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Hemodialysis.

Welcome from another non-traditional student.

I was a complete basket case last fall when I started classes. I spent the time between my classes in my vehicle studying and crying. It took me awhile to get into the groove of things.

I start A&P I in the fall (among several others), and I need to choose between microbiology or disease processes (among several others) for spring.

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Hi MissJen and PixiesMom,

It's so true about getting into the groove and really enjoying being in school. I can actually feel the neuropathways reconnecting and getting stronger than ever! I have a funny feeling that i will miss school when it's over. This kind of pride that I feel is different than anything I've felt so far in my life. I know it's coming from the hard work and stick-to-itness in what I have and what I WILL accomplish when I'm through. I may gripe about not having a life or that it's so hard, but I am very grateful for the experience.

I used to be a *backrow* student, but these days you'll find me front and center, right in the middle of it all. Thank you for sharing, it makes me feel okay for the pre-semester tears......Rine

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.

Hi There!!!!!! :icon_hug:

Me loves Physiology!!!!!! Honest! I tutor it at my school because it has the reputation of freaking people out!!!

Nice to meet you and good luck in your studies!

:wink2:

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Hi Beary ! Oh you are so lucky ! I did really good with the ion channels, sarcomeres and muscles, BUT now we're on to the heart. Geesh!! Turkey baster-?! Yeah right ! That's how the instructor wants us to imagine it. hee hee I had the coolest chemistry teacher -- she used to look right at me and say, "Quit freaking out! You know this stuff - you just gotta KNOW you KNOW it!" and for some weird reason that relaxed me and I got it!

I have my tape recorder going through the entire class and then I listen to it every day which is helping alot. Wish you were tutoring at our school!!

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Specializes in Almost everywhere.

Me loves cardiac stuff the most!!!!

Good deal with the tape recorder...glad it helps!

Hang in there...you have my support! :specs:

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Hemodialysis.

I'm a front row student too.

I'm in Biology now and have a B, but I'm not happy with a B. I hope that B didn't ruin my chances for being accepted. I do have several pre-req's left to complete. That and it's nothing but A game for me from here on out.

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Beary,

Oh now I'm having a belly laugh with that last post Beary! I needed that!

Thank you for the support! I am so glad I signed on today!

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Hi PixiesMom,

I was a straight A student all the way until I started the science classes. I have never studied harder in my life. The community college I'm going to requires at least a C in Anatomy and I was fortunate enough to get a B. For Physiology and Microbiology we have to get a combined minimum of a C+, but I'm not taking any chances -- I have to strive for better. It's so strange how when I was taking Anatomy everyone was telling me that Anatomy was the hardest class. Now that I'm in Physiology, I'm hearing that Physio is the hardest, and then lately I'm hearing that Microbiology is the hardest! Looks like this coming Fall will be another challenging semester when I take Microbiology.........I'll be stringing up holiday lights and studying for finals !! yipeee !!

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Specializes in LTAC, Homehealth, Hospice Case Manager.

Hi, Rine!

Welcome to allnurses! I'm a late bloomer, too! Since '82, I have given 3 attempts at my prereqs for nursing school & something in life always came up & I had to give up my education. It just wasn't the right time, I guess. This time (my 4th attempt!) was kind of unique...I took my daughter to get registered in the local community college for a Dental Assisting course & as we sat there in the financial aid office she turned and looked at me. This is what she said..."Mom, you know you've wanted to be a nurse all your life...go back to school with me!" So at the age of 39 I went back to school with my daughter! That was 3 years ago...I am now going into my final semester of nursing school. This time it was the right time! My duaghter has put up with alot & been a constant mountian of support! I couldn't have made it without her encouragement. I'll be the first to say that the road is long & it doesn't get any easier with each semester, but seeing that light at the end of the tunnel is one awesome feeling!!! To have a dream & make it a reality is beyond any spoken words...Hang in there & all my best to you!:)

God brought me to it...He will bring me through it!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Hemodialysis.

Rine, I had a 4.0 my first semester (last fall) I graduated in the top of my class in high school, but it was a small Christian school. :lol2: My psychology teacher told me that I was too hard on myself, and that getting below an A is okay. I finally decided to bite the bullet a few weeks ago and switch my major to nursing. It's something that I've always wanted to do. I took an EMT course back in 1991, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm looking forward to my A&P and Chemistry this fall.

Hlfpnt, that's great that you and your daughter started school together. I'm sure your just as proud of her as she is of you.

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