need help memorizing things should already know...

[gaylordfocker2002]

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i posted this over in the assistance forum, but i'd like to have as many responses as possible. so here it is here too:

In just a few short weeks I am going to begin my last semester of my RN program. I am getting nervous, and motivated at the same time. I am here because I have a confession to make, and i need to fix some mistakes I have made. Since I started school, I have never really felt motivated. I am beginning my last semester, and I got here by procrastinating, last minute cramming, and good test taking strategy. I have made the grades, but I dont think that I have learned everything that should have learned.

To add to the fact that I am a worthless, slacking, procrastinator of a student, I have been out of the med surg unit for some time now. With the program I am in, I have taken mental health, maternal health, and PEDS, since my last semester ot Adult nursing. My last semester is Adult2. I feel so out of practice with this.

I am here to ask you all for some help. I dug myself in a hole, and I can use any assistance i can get. I figure the best thing i can do is start memorizing things i should already know.

I am going into Adult 2. what thing should be common knowledge at this time. anything you all can throw out to me to prepare for my last semester is so greatly appreciated. i began making note cards of some basic lab values that i dont have memorized. please help me out, i want to do things right.

thanks so much for any help.

[onyx77]

Your not a worthless student. YOU ARE NORMAL!!!! None of us remember everything of everything. It is so hard to do, especially when there are SO many little things to remember. I feel the same way. I am going into my fourth and final semester and I can tell you that if you ask me a question right now I probably wouldn't have the answer for you. But, if the samething came up in clinicals I sure would. You probably remember more than you realize.

If you are concerned, review some of your old lecture notes if you still have them or buy a NCLEX review book and look over it a little each day. I'm sure you'll do fine. You didn't make it this far for nothing!

[2bRnKim]

Ok. The first thing you need to do is have a mind set change. You are not worthless!!! There is no way that you could have made it this far if you hadn't learned anything. I have to agree with the previous post about getting a NCLEX review book and studying it and go over old notes. Figure out all of your weak areas and focus on those first. You are going to make it the rest of the way. Believe me. You don't get this far by doing nothing. Maybe you got a little burnt out or something. But, there is still hope!! Don't give up.

Ps. Love your online name

Ha ha Kim

[capribry]

My school changed their courses around because of this same reason. First it was med-surg, specialties, then med-surg again so now they changed it so that specialities comes first and then we can have med-surg back to back.

[WDWpixieRN, RN]

Sheesh, my class is getting ready to go back for the 3rd semester of our ADN program after a LONGGGGGGG (but not long enough!) summer break. EVERYONE, and I do mean, EVERYONE I have talked to feels like we're going to be starting back at square one. No one has looked at a book, studied anything, or feels like they remember a thing!!

I even did a 6-week summer internship the week after school got out, and someone would mention a term or something and I'd think "Ohmigod, we just got done studying that; why can't I think what that refers to?" (Primarily either orthopedics or maternity)

Most folks I have talked to say this is common. God help me when I go take the NCLEX, lol!

I think you'll be fine. Pay attention and go in there with a good mindset, and you'll hopefully do great fine!! Best wishes!!