how do you manage your time in RN school?

For papers I always found it was easy to first write the topics that I knew wouldn't take much time, either because I had what I wanted to write in my head or that it wasn't a long assignment and then do the one's with the closest due dates. The assignments that were short seemed to be lost in the pile and often forgotten till last minute when shuffled in with all the big assignments I had due.

Im a big fan of color coding my calender w/ assignments, projects, test, quizzes, events, and meetings.

When I am really busy I write down a little of all the things I need to do for a day, or sometimes for the weekend I write down everything from study time, to chores around the house

I always keep my things packed and neat so I can be ready to go at anytime, I do this the night before class

I have a 3 inch binder with all notes, evals's, handouts, syllabus, etc.

I also prioritize study time and reading depending on the day

I keep a calender of all the things that are due. In each on my books I put an index card in them with the week & chapters that need to be read. Realisticly I dont read everything...thats impossible! I have binders organized by class & I try to get my supplies ready the night before. If you want to get really fancy, schedule study & break time for yourself. That way you are forced to take a break. I also work on the next thing that is due. School is the best way to learn to prioritize & its actually helped me prioritize in clinicals.

I keep a planner with everything that needs to be accomplished each day in it. I try to prioritize based on due date. I work full time, so I also use my lunch times to do some reading or any organizing that I need to get done. I'm also a big fan of color coding!

I do it a bit differently. I have separate binders for each topic, and the syllabus is three holed and put in right off. Then, as the lecture occurs, I put notes, PPs, and other handouts behind the syllabus page for that topic. That way, everything is in, at the right place, and ready for me to work on. No more scrambling for that handout or this note page, it's just right there.

As for exams and quizzes, I use a calendar. I do some reading every day, so it's never one hundred pages at a time. I can't do that...

I take one day for myself. That's a 'free day.' I can do whatever I want, as long as it's not studying. I can sit on the sofa and watch my toenails grow, I can go ride my horse, I can do whatever I want to do...with no books, lectures, or anything. Those are my Mental Health Days...and sometimes, that's all that keeps me going.

I keep a calendar, more of a master calendar, with dates of papers, quizzes, exams, and Mental Health Days put in. Life does, of course, occur, so sometimes things have to get switched around. But if I keep my master calendar near to hand, I can always quick reference what needs to be accomplished that week, and get working on it.

I also 'front load' on things like papers and computer studies. If I can get them all done right off, I don't have to concern myself about finding time at school for that.

As for clinical days, I have a set series of paperwork that needs to be completed for each patient each day. I put it in packages, make sure I have enough copies for the entire rotation, and stock up. That way, I always have it available for me. In the package, I have a time schedule...at X time, this needs to happen. At Y time, this needs to be prepared. At Z time, this other thing has to occur. Yes, things get swapped and changed, but if I stick to my time slots, I am more able to accomplish everything so that I can deal with those surprises without worrying I didn't get vitals, or the Fs, or panic about the medrun.

The trick is, I think, to find a system which works for you. I am not able to account for each minute/hour in re studying, but if I have a general idea and a 'big goal', then I can chunk it down, and get things accomplished while still having some time to myself. I do make sure I have my MHDs, though...I find if I don't, I get waaaaaaaay too stressed, and can't focus on things the right way, and studying takes twice as long.

Find your plan, use what you can to make things easier, and give all ideas a try. You'll find what works for you, and then stick to it...and hang in there, it's only 2 1/2 more semesters to get through. You can do it!!

Best-

Lovin' Learning