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Well, I have made it 2 and almost 1/2 weeks in my first semester of Nursing school. I suppose I can look at it as only 13 1/2 to go. I am feeling so overwhelmed. I am doing fine, I passed my first test and passed my med calc test on the first try but, I am exhausted. It has to be exhaustion, I don't know what else it could be. There is so much more work/time required then just lectures and classtime. I knew I'd have to read a lot but, we have videos we have to do on our own time and computer supplemented learning also. I am trying to maintain this normal household without turning into a maniac or slob and it's killing me. Being a slob is not an option for me. I am trying to set an example for my children, I can't just let everything else in my life fall to sh!t just b/c I am in school. I have put so much on my husband's shoulders this week and I feel like it's just not fair to him. He's so absolutely supportive of me. I have had a headache for days and I feel like I just can't relax. I guess I just need to cry and get it out. I know I'll do this b/c I want it so bad. I feel like I nedd a week off to recuperate already. I just need to talk to those who undestand and know where I am at in life right now. Thanks for the vent.

Suzi

Specializes in Urgent Care.

LOL I would have but I am a poor student ;)

89 cent box was the way to go!

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Specializes in Oncology, Home Health, Psychiatry.

buy cupcakes????

Child, this is the time to throw money at the child and tell them to get them on the way to school!!!!

:lol2:

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It helps a bit to hear that I am not the only one feeling this way. This is my first semester in RN school, too and I think I just might lose my mind. I am also taking A&P II and nutrition, and there are simply not enought hours in the day. We are the first class in this brand new program here and I know why they are calling us guinnea pigs. We have one instructor that is just downright mean and nasty. She takes great pride in telling us how dumb and stupid we are. She told us that we will have to pass the math test before we start meds, which makes perfect sense to me, but meds don't start for another 6 weeks and she gave us a pop quiz last week on math and told us it would count for 10% of our final grade. We all failed it and she ended up throwing it out, but we were all stressed the entire day. ALso, on the first test day, class is supposed to start at 8:30 AM. I suffer from test anxiety anyway, and have found that the best way I have found to combat my nerves is to arrive at the classroom early, take deep breaths and look over my notes one last time. I was the first person in the classroom and put my stuff down and went to the bathroom. When I got back, she was in the classroom. (it was still 25 minutes before time for the class to start) I opened my notebook to look at my notes and she YELLED at me to close my notebook and take it to the front of the class. She said people like me made her sick - that waited to the morning of the test to CRAM and if I didn't know it by now, then I deserve to fail. Well, I was so upset by this time that I was shaking. So much for easing test anxiety. I made an 85 even though I has studied all weekend. I am not a quitter, but I am sure tempted.

Thanks for letting me vent!!

Tracey in FL

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

Wow Tracey, that is awful. I would go to the library and " cram" if she doesn't want you in the classroom. I review the morning of as well, that is my learning style. It doesn't mean I didn't study otherwise. Good luck!!!

Tracy

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One way to lessen stress during nursing school is to talk with your family. Your family may not realize how much time is needed for school. Talk to them about setting up a schedule so that all in family participate: meals, washing dishes, laundry, dusting, vacuuming, etc.

You may also have to talk with your relatives. Some relatives may continue to behave as you did before NS and may resent your absence from them.

Explain why you may have to pass up on visits and social events.

In other words, get all the support that you can get, including occ getting some Ky Fried Chicken for dinner.

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Specializes in Oncology, Home Health, Psychiatry.

Tracy2brn....

I'm sorry that you are so overwhelmed ..... and have such a nasty teacher!!! Unfortunately, there are some instructors whose lives are just miserable...so they want everyone else to be miserable too!!! She will be a great accomplishment for you when you overcome her and her nasty outlook!!!

As for the test anxiety....if you can take a 30 minute wal on the morning of your test..this will help to release som of the endorphins you need to relax!!!

I also have test anxiety and have found this to be helpful...I put on my headphones with some funky music and walk away my stress!!!!

Hope this is helpful, and keep your chin up...you'll get past this teacher and be fine!!!!!

Happy Studying!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg..

Wow Tracy, That was a Nasty thing your Instructor did, good grief.... We can have material on our desk right up until test time - then all book bags, etc. are put up front.

Like You - During my first semester before a test, I'd go in really early to go over my notes once last time (thinking I'd have some peace and quiet). That didn't last long - I'd be in there 5 minutes and the rest of the class would start streaming in talking loud, someone would always say - hey, I can't remember, does X-Disease have a,b,c side effects or is that the Y-disease. This drove me crazy because even though I'd studied the material, hearing everyone debating what we were about to be tested on, totally threw me off. A few times I tried sitting out in the hall to go over my notes, never failed that this one classmate would find me and say - hey, if you don't know it by now, it's too late. I wanted to say - I know all of this, just skimming through it all one last time and then "throw my book at her" - but I'd probably get kicked out...:uhoh3:

Just so you know, everyone is nervous before a test, some just show it more than others. I'm not sure if this will help you, but I'm in my last semester and this is what I found works for me. I live an hour from school, but manage to get to school at least an hour before the test (parking lot is deserted at that time). I stay in my car and read over my notes, listen to the radio for a few minutes to relax, say a Prayer and then walk into the room a few minutes before the test is to start and block everyone out so I don't have to hear debates about lab values, etc... Not being in the class 30 minutes before a test when everyone is flipping out - has really helped calm my nerves and I usually do pretty well on tests.

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I have known students to wear earplugs to avoid distractrion from others.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will try both the walking and sitting in my car for a few minutes before the test. I have a test Monday morning, so I won't have to wait long to see how it works!:)

Tracey

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Specializes in MICU.

One thing that may work also is to record your notes into a tape recorder then while you are walking you can listen to them. This will allow you to go over your notes while releasing the endorphins. :) Melanie

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