I'm over being overwhelmed

[jacq2005]

This is just my second semester taking prerequsites. I'm take A&P1, English, a computer class, and I work full-time. I have my TEAS coming up and a deadline looming for the nursing program. My mother has been having some health issues, my step-father has one foot in the grave, and my daughter, she's a senior in high school (prom, money, college applications, money, graduation, money). You get the idea. Life has been a little overwhelming lately.

Then we have today. Gorgeous, warm, sunny day! I get to work with a few extra minutes, which is rare for me! I'm an EMT-I and if you can imagine this, EVERY SINGLE CALL was textbook easy from beginning to end. THEN we got a call from dispatch that our unit was needed for something and we were allowed to go home early! I go home and take my dog out. We adopted him late last year so he's still a big baby. Outside he keeps stopping with his ears perked up. I'm having a hard time getting him motivated to walk so I stop, listen and wow, I can hear birds singing! My little fella obviously can, too. On a whim I put him in the car and go for a ride. Roll the windows down and let him hang his floppy little ears out the window, while I, half paranoid, hang on to his lease. This is a first for me...and him, and I can't tell you how good it felt to be riding around with my little puppy! After fourty-five minutes of aimless driving we go home.

I apologize for this being long but, for me, the world slowed down enough today for me to catch my breath. Feelings of "I can't do this" flew out the window as I realized "I am doing this!' It's too easy to get caught up in the things we have to do and we forget the things we want to do. It's refreshing.

All that being said, how do the rest of you refocus when it all gets to be a little tedious and overwhelming?

[ganpatiji]

Yes, we all do get overwhelmed sometimes . I have 2 children not even in 1st grade but like a stubborn soul I keep studying whenever and wherever I can . Like you, I finished some of my prereqs last fall and am completing rest of them now. A&P 2 ,Microbiology and english composition do seem very difficult but It's february and I have completed few quizzes ,assignments and essays and have got an 'A' s far. Therefore once you'll finish these courses,the sense of achievement will give you lot of satisfaction. Don't let your mind go towards your family while studying because studying is very rewarding in long run.

[TenderLovingDreamz]

Wow. I give student mothers a lot of props. I cannot imagine shuffling that with studying! It makes my last semester of stress seem silly- all I really had to focus on was myself and doing well in school. :bowingpur

To answer your question though, I refocus by leaving my studies for a little bit. I can't study for more than two hours straight, so I take half hour breaks and watch t.v. or spend time with family/friends. I also just remember that in order to be a nurse I have to do this, I must persevere, to achieve my goals. Looking at the big picture seems to help.