Just getting started, a little intimidated

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Specializes in Lactation.

Wednesday was my first lecture, Thursday was my first lab, and Friday was my second lecture. I am a little intimidated because the instructor seems to talk about so many things so fast. First I was trying to take notes, then I realized she was going over material in the book, but just summerizing it thats when I started highlighting.

I guess the most intimidating part to me is just what do I remember? What she talked about, or whats in the book? I read the chapters and stuff but not a whole lot is sticking with me. I think its mostly because its history stuff, like who clara barton is and dorthea dix. I am terrible with history type of facts.

Is there anyone else that dislikes this part? I cant wait to get a little deeper into it :-) Oh and dosage calc isnt as bad as I dreamed it would be!! :lol2:

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You should ask your professor if you can bring a tape recorder to class and record the lecture. Or bring a laptop and type their notes if you are a fast typer.

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Specializes in LTC, rehab, medical review.

A lot of my classmates use tape recorders. I never have...I have kids and no time to listen to the lectures. I take notes on my powerpoints. A lot of people also bring in laptops.

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Specializes in Lactation.

I wish a tape recorder was an option. They are very strict on not having one.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

do they give you a notes packet? our instructors do, we take any additional notes on that. then what i do is read the notes packet along with the readings we have to do for that chapter or whatever. Im finding that its very similar and just focus on what the notes have down b/c thats what they want us to focus on.

Its literally impossible to read everything in the textbook thats required...& if u ever have troubles, make an appt to talk to your instructor and they can clarify things for you too :)

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Specializes in L&D.

I agree with Pneumothorax. If your teacher have powerpoints definately print them out and take them to class. Right down as much as you can & read the chapters in the book. I'm the type of student that has to read the textbook because that helps me process the information. Some people don't read and it works for them so just find the style that's right for you. Flashcards might also be helpful.

One other thing that I do that helps with studying is asking the teachers about what to study. Some teachers say just focus on the powerpoints and others say read the book. Just them where most of their test questions will come from and usually they are very good at helping students when it comes to things like that. Good luck!

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Specializes in Lactation.

yes they give us the option of printing off a power point. I will give that a shot. I am so worried that I am going to get behind. I have difficulty listening accurately and taking notes at the same time. Im not giving up though! I have worked to hard to get to where I am :-)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.
yes they give us the option of printing off a power point. I will give that a shot. I am so worried that I am going to get behind. I have difficulty listening accurately and taking notes at the same time. Im not giving up though! I have worked to hard to get to where I am :-)

write down things that the teacher kinda harps on, if they keep mentioning the normal Na+ level is 135-145..you might want to write it down and know it bc they will probably ask it on the test..ya know..:idea:

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Specializes in ICU Surgical Trauma.

Same here...the first lecture is boring. It gets just a tad bit better when we talk about health promotion and learning the new skills. I can't wait to start Medical Surgical Nursing in October!

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Take your laptop, if your professor allows it, and type your notes during class. That way you aren't frantically trying to keep up with everything they say. I'm in my second week of the nursing program and it gets better. In my program, we have a lab class on Friday from 4-7 PM, and then we have to do return demonstrations of the skills on Saturday from 8 AM-5 PM. It's really scary and stressful to learn the skills one day, have to memorize them that night, and then do them the next day. Our first skills were bladder irrigation, foley and straight catheters, sterile field, asepsis, donning and removing PPE, sterile urine sampling, clean catch urine sampling, and routine urine sampling. I was really overwhelmed and afraid, but take it from me, it gets better. I checked off on the skills no problem. Our first lecture was very overwhelming too, but it has gotten better since then. Once you get into the groove and figure out what works best for you, things should settle down a little bit. It's going to be stressful, but the initial stress should pass soon. Good luck and stay calm!

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Specializes in Lactation.

thank you all for the tips and advice :-) I'm trying to be as calm as possible until I at least get to that first exam and see how I'm really doing. I'm gonna work as much as I can on feeling like lecture is a success for me. I'm not used to feeling so lost in a classroom :-) I'll let you all know how it goes over the next few days.

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I know how you feel OP. We started on Aug 11 and we have our first exam on Aug 30 and I am scared to death:eek:

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