Is it just me?

bigboy18 · Feb 16, 2010

I'm currently taking PN and in the beginning, I did study in groups which usually consisted between 5-6 people. Now, i'm in my last semester and I can honestly tell you that you CAN make it through nursing school without study groups. But, when I say this, it just depends on your own study habits. The saying goes "two heads are better than one" which is true, but it's also personal preference. If you find a group make sure that they're the productive type not the girls or guys who gossip the whole damn time and end up with nothing.

You also mentioned not making any friends in class. I find that you will cut yourself short if you don't make any friends. Believe me. Having friends in class is SO important. Of course you don't have to be friends with everyone..just have at least 1-3 who you can totally depend on (I mean like callin at 11pm at night if you need something) and you'll be fine. Just be friendly with everyone... you never know when you'll need their help.

Coriander, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2010

I'm in my first semester, and don't plan on joining any study groups. Why? I get so distracted when there are a zillion people yapping. I would much rather study with someone else, or have my boyfriend quiz me.

I have a couple of people who may become friends, and a girl who I already do consider a friend (we met last semester), but I'm not going to be heartbroken if we're not all BFF's after we graduate. I think we have a great group, but there are already cliques forming and, being an older student, I roll my eyes at that garbage.

I'm in school for me, my family, and my future patients and their families.

shannahan · Feb 16, 2010

I would never join a study group. Me in a study group = a gabfest. I study better alone. I actually haven't heard of my classmates doing them much either.

As far has having no friends - not me. I knew going in I had to have at least one friend. I need the strength and support.

>--stethoscope--o · Feb 16, 2010

My problem is making friends. It's been like that my whole life. I find ppl look down on me sometimes and I know that by how they react to me and their demeanor. I haven't done a great job for them to like me either, I'll admit. I've pushed ppl away, acted like I knew stuff because I'm repeating the class (wish I could take it back), and I guess everything is just blowing up in my face......In a way I'm afraid of making friends and getting stabbed in the back, which is why I pushed ppl away in the first place.

browneyes3000 · Feb 16, 2010

My problem is making friends. It's been like that my whole life. I find ppl look down on me sometimes and I know that by how they react to me and their demeanor. I haven't done a great job for them to like me either I'll admit. I've pushed ppl away, acted like I knew stuff because I'm repeating the class (wish I could take it back), and I guess everything is just blowing up in my face......In a way I'm afraid of making friends and getting stabbed in the back, which is why I pushed ppl away in the first place.[/quote']
You are not alone. I am same as you! I worry too much about how ppl think about me. I know I need to quit thinking that way.

BellasMommyOBRN · Feb 16, 2010

i was in a panic at the beginning of this semester b/c the few friends that i had become close to either dropped out or failed and couldn't continue. i thought i was going to be so lost without my study buddies. quite the opposite though!

i have done better (by far!) this semester studying by myself than i did with a group.

Trauma Columnist · Feb 16, 2010

I had a deployed husband and two little ones plus a full time job while in nursing school. Nope, no study groups, can't remember anyone's names (even the teachers - lol) and I only glanced at the material at stoplights - no time to study.

That was 18 years ago and somehow I got by.

Good luck - school is school, its okay if you make friends, okay if you don't.

Music in My Heart · Feb 16, 2010

Is it possible to make it through nursing school with out joining any study groups? How about with out making any friends in class? If there is someone out there that has done it or is going through the same thing. Please share. Thanks.I eschewed study groups. I just don't find them a beneficial way to learn... I'm much quicker on my own, focusing on those areas where I'm weak. Study groups are definitely not necessary for everybody in NS.
Regarding friends... I went out of my way to be helpful and cordial... and even friendly... to everybody but none of my classmates were my friends. The benefit to forming cooperative, cordial relationships is seen when somebody comes across a helpful resource that they share with you or who will share information with you.
You don't need to be friends with somebody in order to be friendly with them.
That said, I do think it's quite possible to make it through as a "lone wolf" though a bit more difficult at times.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2010

I hated study groups and found no benefit. Others find them beneficial. I went to a couple during the first year of nursing school and found it to be a huge waste of time, so I never went to one again. Our instructors drilled into us the need to join a study group. Gag.

Now friends - that's another story entirely. While it's not absolutely necessary to make friends in nursing school, it's just plain nice, IMO. I have a couple dear friends from nursing school that made the experience so much more meaningful and rich. We are in close contact after graduation and probably will be for decades to come.

It sounds like you want to make some friends in nursing school. How about taking a different approach. You could make an effort to be pleasant, find sincere things to compliment others about, and take an interest in others. Let it flow from there. If you have trust issues, just don't tell anyone anything that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing (good advice to anyone in nursing school).

STL2008, RN · Feb 16, 2010

I dont really like study groups. I tend to do better on my own.

As for making friends, its always good to have at least one friend.

shannahan · Feb 16, 2010

A big part of life is getting along with people. You will have to have relationships as a nurse even if it's just on a professional or therapeutic level. School is our training ground and if this is an area you need to improve, I'd suggest you make it a goal to work on connecting with people.

Like music in my heart said, you don't have to be friends to be friendly. It also doesn't have to be all or nothing. There are different levels of friendship. I have a few at school that I'm pretty close with. Others that it's more superficial - we stick to talking about assignments, clinicals, etc.