Memory is horrible how am I ever going to make it

lvnhopeful · Jul 24, 2007

I started nursing school recently after being out of the loop also. Being 54 I thought I would be the oldest in the class and probably the slowest. That is almost right, me and one other are the same age, but I am holding my own against the youngsters academically.

Before I started I researched age related memory loss and came up with some excellent supplements that have really helped. I can identify with your problem and worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up, but the supplements, and studying long hours have turned the trick.

There are supplements for long and short term memory.

Maybe others have other ways to deal with this problem........

squee-gee · Jul 24, 2007

I decided to try for nursing school 20 years after graduating from college. I remember my first couple of prereq classes - I felt as though my brain was full of these big rusty cogs that were moving VERY slowly! Gradually things picked up and got easier. Don't worry about it! It takes awhile to get back into the swing of things, but I guarantee you it will get easier - especially if you find the information interesting. Here I am 3 years later about to start my third semester of NS. If I can do it so can you!

Find some classmates to study with, or work out a study schedule at home and stick with it. There are also lots of books on various study strategies. Type "study habits" into the allnurses search and see what past posters have said about it. Starting good study habits now is essential for when you get into NS. Also, you may not think you are retaining stuff, when you actually are.

What might be a problem is talking about giving up so easily. Give yourself a chance for Pete's sake!:trout:

TweedleDee · Jul 24, 2007

I went back to school after a 20+ year absence from formal education and what I found is that I had to re-learn how to study. Many moons ago, the info just seeped in....kinda like osmosis. Now, I need facilitated diffusion. Reading notes and chapters just wasn't working, nor was listening intently to lectures. I guess mom was right about about watching TV in the dark and that loud rock n roll music, the eyes and ears just weren't what they used to be. My study buddy taught me how to create flow charts. Amazingly enough when I was able to put the words into a picture, it became so much easier to learn and understand. Just the process of breaking down the info into picture form was a great study session in itself. I bought brown kraft paper at Wal Mart and charted each chapter. Cliff's notes on A&P made things easier too.

Hang in there. It does get easier once the brain gets jumpstarted. I know it can be overwhelming at first, and I know I asked myself the very same question as you have, but it can be done.:balloons:

starbabyfive · Jul 25, 2007

glad you brought it up. being a 'nontraditional student' myself & menopausal to boot. now i don't even retain water, let alone facts,

dates etc, (trying to add more omega 3 to my diet). i too, worry that i won't be able to cut it. have been reading different study skill books. still worry about the memory thing, though. you're not alone.

hikernurse · Jul 25, 2007

Index cards help a lot; I think it's the combination of visual/kinetic learning. I went back to NS at 39 after being home for 18 years and it took a bit to get back in the loop, but I did and you will, too.

GratefulHeart · Jul 25, 2007

When I'm in good control of my diet, I notice an improvement in my memory capacity - fiber 35 g per day, whole grains only but controlling the amount of wheat (it puts me to sleep), using meat/poultry/fish more like a condiment than the main part of the meal, low glycemic foods, a lot of fresh vegetablesand fruit, nuts as snacks, as little processed food and dairy as possible. Taking a swift walk back and forth across campus between classes or a bike ride every other day or so encourages blood flow to the brain and makes me feel more alert and able to focus. I also take supplemental calcium, flaxseed oil, and have ordered an antioxidant nutritional supplement but haven't tried it yet and so don't know if it will make a noticeable difference.

I read a book from the public library that helped me determine my learning style and offered specific recommendations on how I should study: How to Learn Anything Quickly, by Ricki Linsman, M.Ed. It's probably saved me from wasting time on unproductive study practices.

BTW, I'm 47 and have straight As in nursing. Like you, I continually worry about my weak memory, but so far my fears haven't materialized. I think I probably compensate by *overstudying* material from a concern that I won't be able to recall as well as younger students do.

Some good news to cheer you up: There are definite advantages to being an older student that help to level out the playing field academically. In general we enter the program extremely motivated, aware that due to our age it's probably going to take extraordinary effort to succeed. Because of that, we tend to be more emotionally prepared to say no to distractions. While social needs often drive younger students nuts (getting together with friends instead of studying, etc.), older students don't seem to struggle with this as much. Also an older student who's experienced his or her body slowing down is keenly aware of the ongoing need to be conservational with respect to time and energy, which greatly helps with time management and focusing effort to be maximally productive. Most older students *get it* that if they cheat on sleep (for instance) they're going to pay for it dearly, so they pick and choose more carefully when and how to do that than younger students do.

[You can do it!]

JarOfPennies · Jul 25, 2007

I'm also a nontraditional student. For me, the secret is to organize a study schedule and STICK WITH IT. It really helps to jumpstart my brain if I have a predictable study time and place. As an example, I have to sit in the same area of the library (preferably same table), at the same time everyday, with a Diet Coke at my side. It's kind of like Pavlov's dogs. If I place myself in the same environment each time, my brain just "kicks in" and knows what it's supposed to do! Then once you get into a routine, it's really hard to break away from it. At least that's my experience.

I think you will surprise yourself, once you dust out the cobwebs, you'll probably find that you do very well! Good luck!

sberrn · Jul 25, 2007

Index cards and then more index cards as well as visual aids seem to help.

Also there are some courses on tape that you can use while in your car, or doing stuff around the house.

That is how I did my CEN, listening to tapes to and from work.

Good luck

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2007

i was just hearing something a few weeks ago about memory and making written lists to remember the things we have to do. it is wrong to associate poor memory with poor performance. memory can often be a developed skill. the first step is knowing you have a weakness in this. the second step is developing strategies to overcome it. here are websites with lots of helpful information on how to improve your memory. one technique might work better than another. if one doesn't work well, then try another.

badz · Jul 25, 2007

just pray to God to help you,,,and of course trust yourself!!!

LMRN10 · Jul 25, 2007

I started back after being out of school for 10 years. I have the same issues...memory is horrible and was also through high school!!!

A couple things I can suggest that may help are make flash cards when you can to study from (have your husband quiz you) AND, reapeat, reapeat, repeat!!! Being repetitive can help you remember more than you realize! Also, be creative when studying. Example, I will NEVER forget the word Manubrium and what it is because my husband, after me not being able to remember it time after time after time, said it in such a way that made me laugh and I say it that way to this day.

You can do it...I know it seems scary now, but trust me, once you start, school becomes somewhat addicting in a way! BEST OF LUCK!!! :monkeydance: