I'm losing it-need to vent out b/c I have nowhere else to vent

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I'm a emotional wreck.

I'm a 1st semester nursing student and I already feel like I'm failing. As someone who has a passion for healthcare, I'm feeling my goal is not going to be acheived..why? Because I don't have the skills to take a ***** mc test. It feels like everyone's future and career is based on these damn tests (way to weed out ppl and take their money?), and I hate it. Those who are pros at mc tests will have no problem in nursing school or any program, while those who don't will even though they work hard and put in the efforts will suffer.

I'm sick and tired of spending every single of my time working and studying, preparing exams and at the end not get the results I want. I got advice from my instructors and from academic support, I manage my time efficiently, I work to understand the material, but when I spit it out back on the test, it never shows. I thought I did so well on my last test to only find out I got a 74 :(

I'm on spring break and I got a letter this week saying I will be on a warning...just in time. It ruined my mood and my motivation to get ahead. I was planning to go home and enjoy time with family at a get together but I have to miss b/c I have to study to freakin pass. Yes, while everyone is out enjoying a break from studying, I'm stressing out b/c I'm paranoid about failing out of the program. I'm already preparing for the Hesi finals, which I probably will bomb at the end. I have this feeling I will be dismissed from the program at the end of the semester not because I don't have the potential to be a nurse, but because I don't have the skills to take a freakin mc test that I guess tests if you will be a good nurse or not. My parents are deep in depression, I'm trying to stay positive, but discouragement keeps coming my way. I'm a very patient person but I'm breaking apart this week. There's no way I can get back on track and get a descent career after this...there's no money. I don't know what to do anymore.

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Hey do not worry it seems like you are doing your best just keep focusing on your study and you will be fine. One thing to remember try not to study the night before your exam at all bit if you have to review just do so for a few hours and make sure you get a good night sleep before the exams ...of you overwhelmed your self the night before the exam your brain will not be able to retain the info you have study .. Secondly make sure you relax and have a good breakfast before your exam and try to stay away from anything that could make you upset the night before your exam and after all if you like to pray just pray...

Good luck

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Don't give up! The more you think negative... The more your brain will react to the negativity & block you from what you need to understand!(Something my instructor told me) I get discouraged at times myself, but I remind myself that I have what it takes due to I made it to this point! I felt like giving up just last week to be honest with you, but instead of giving up I studied even more harder and prayed! Now this week my grades are where they need to be! Please whatever you do don't give up, fight the good fight of FAITH, ask other students what they're doing to understand it more better, and I will keep you in my prayers! I hope to hear good news soon & the best of luck to you :)

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^The thing I is I understand the material COLD. I probably spend more time studying than the rest of my class. Heck on the last skills..I spent 5 days preparing knowing and understanding EVERYTHING, while another classmate just started studying the morning of the test..and guess what? I failed the test and he passed, scoring 10 points higher than me! :(. Yea, I'm convinced the only way you can succeed if you're super smart..feels like the average person can no longer succeed especially since it's competitive. I don't know why I'm doing so bad on tests, and I have gone for help prior. The last thing I want to be is be on the streets. I'm so ******, I feel like I can't do it, and I don't want to go back to school after a rough week.

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Specializes in L&D.

Man, that's tough.

Maybe you're over studying and psyching yourself out. Have you tried getting counseling for test anxiety?

What is a MC test, by the way?

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^The thing I is I understand the material COLD. I probably spend more time studying than the rest of my class. Heck on the last skills..I spent 5 days preparing knowing and understanding EVERYTHING, while another classmate just started studying the morning of the test..and guess what? I failed the test and he passed, scoring 10 points higher than me! :(. Yea, I'm convinced the only way you can succeed if you're super smart..feels like the average person can no longer succeed especially since it's competitive. I don't know why I'm doing so bad on tests, and I have gone for help prior. The last thing I want to be is be on the streets. I'm so ******, I feel like I can't do it, and I don't want to go back to school after a rough week.

You need to be more positive. I know exactly how it feels to feel like you're good enough, but these exams are letting you think the opposite. You cannot change the grade you got so you will have to try harder. You've made it this far and things like this happen to the best of us. It's a test to see if we can overcome failure.. Sometimes you need to fail to succeed. Don't be so hard on yourself because it sounds like you are!

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Deep breathes!! First don't think of what grades the other people are getting. Testing is not easy for some people. Keep going to your advisors and ask them for help on how to help out. The best thing for you to do is to find out how you learn the best...... Example sometimes I have to write things down a few times for it to sink in. Sometimes flash cards work the best. If you know the material inside and out before the test then fail or get a bad grade then only one of 2 things is probably happening.... You are either psyching yourself out OR you are second guessing yourself. Do you read the question answer it then read it again and change your answer? Keep your head up!!! You can do this! Go thru and answer all the questions you know for sure. Then go back and look at the other questions and whatever your first answer it is mark it and move on. Never doubt yourself, most of the time your first answer is the right answer. But as a nurse there are a lot of things you have to know and be ready for at any time. So it's important to be able to solve problems on the spot and be able to think 5 steps ahead so testing will prepare you for that. Good luck!!! Hope it helps.

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Man, that's tough.

Maybe you're over studying and psyching yourself out. Have you tried getting counseling for test anxiety?

What is a MC test, by the way?

I am thinking it is multiple choice...
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I have a difficult time with multiple choice as well. I think it's because I over think. My school has a testing and student success centre that offers free help to struggling students. I went there and someone actually tutored me in multiple choice exams. Looking at double negatives and eliminating choices, that sort of thing. It really helped because like you I knew the material and studied hard but I've never been a good test taker. Good luck and don't give up!!

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Learn how to take the tests! It's just not knowledge based. Read Test for Success.

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OP: First off consider how you are studying and what works best for you. Flashcards, diagrams, pictures, do you studing in the morning or at night, are you comfortable, are you taking frequent breaks? Also are you finding the testing style difficult? Remember that the answer is the BEST answer even if all choices are correct. For example, if a person is not able to breath (compromised airway) then NOTHING else matters, not the heart rate, not blood loss, not circulation, nothing. I would suggest an NCLEX prep book (Saunders fan) to practice questions (I have found that practicing the section we are doing helps me learn better) Also, make sure you are making schemes, why does this fact matter and how does it relate to the topic. You can read the book 40 times and know all the facts individually but these tests are for critical thinking and how you apply the information. Perhaps you could rewrite your notes, highlight, or rearrange them? Do you reread your notes right after class? Proven to help you retain information better. Go to your teachers ask them if they have any tips for you. And lastly, DO NOT SECOND GUESS, stick with your first answer unless you have an epiphany and recall some scrap of information and you are sure.

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I was actually in the same boat you were my 1st semester of sophomore year (since I was automatically accepted into the nursing program basically my first year of nursing school). I would study till 3am some nights, read all the chapters, and all that. What I did to help me was buy every Nclex book there was at barns n nobles (well buy one then return it get my money back and buy another one) and I would take the practice test with my friends and me. Even if the information didn't pertain to me I took it and it helped my scores out GREATLY.

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