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Starting my 1st semester on the 13th of January and I am excited and nervous all at the same time. I have prepared everything I can early (family, no job, uniforms, laptop, books, lab kit etc) I know something will come up that I have not prepared for but for now all is well. Just trying to enjoy the last few weeks of freedom lol. Any tips or pointers are appreciated......

Me too! I start on January 16th and I am feeling a lot of the same things...hoping I don't forget anything :)

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I will be starting my first semester of clinicals in the spring. I'm glad I stepped back for one semester. It allowed me to evaluate how I was studying and what I could do to improve. As you don't have the time for that during school. Although the Test success series (psych mental health version) said it was a good idea to journal of what you did so you can look back and know what not to do (if you failed your first test and what not, so I may blog so I can keep that record). The pearson review and rationales are a great tool too. Recording lectures are a super useful :) I am going to start listening to lectures on the way to class as I commute. I've gotten rid of negative people, including one of my ex best friends who brought me down. You don't have to sit up front, as long as you are in the view of the professor. I used to be in the upfront person and I didn't like getting called on so I sat in the isle side of the seat. Still allowed me to be near the professor but they wouldn't call on me as much, but I could also focus on the lecture. Do something that relieves your stress like yoga or other work outs like Zumba :)

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great pieces of advice from the first post!

I can add, that for someone with a slight attention disorder like myself, time management was key. Always know what's in the syllabus, the course of the semester, the chapters you cover on a certain day (read ahead), know what topics you will cover before each exam ...and the dates of your exams. Knowing all of these things will make you embrace what is coming rather than make you anxious.

Have sheet protectors in your binder (for the handouts that wont have holes), write down your name and date as soon as you get it, maybe special instructions that your teacher is talking about and expect you to know.

Before i forget,

have the mentality of a winner! Go in saying "I got this", rather than "OMG, I wonder if the exam is hard".

Ask the teacher for help, always read in your free time, join a study group if that works for you, and do practice questions before the exams for a couple of days!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

I would actually suggest working after your first semester if you can, but in a healthcare field such as CNA, tech, med tech or MA. I started working as an MA after my first semester and it has given me wonderful experience. For my practicum, I had the confidence just to go into the patient's room and do all my assessments, treatments, etc. There are some of my fellow students that could barely still talk to patients. This brings me to my second piece of advice - get your hands dirty starting the first day of clinical. It doesn't matter if it is literally cleaning poop or starting an IV, making sure you are doing everything. If you feel like your nurse is "abusing" you as a student by making you do nothing but poop duty, my suggestion is simple. With a smile on your face say, "Sure, I don't mind doing this, but you're going to teach me one nursing thing/skill/med/treatment/etc. once I am done." It worked for me. I may have done a lot of dirty work, but that's part of the job, and I learned so much!

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I'm about to head into my second semester. For studying and tests, make sure you understand the rationale behind what you're doing. For skills, practice practice practice! Always carry black pens. Please eat before clinical, I know it's early but you don't want to faint! Time management is key, try to stay ahead of the game.

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Thank you all so much! I am going to take all of this advice and hopefully apply it. I am sure I will not be perfect and I will have to be ok with that. I will post back after classes start and the shock wears off LOL HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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I'm starting next month as well, all the advice is very appreciated! :D Good luck to you OP!

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I am also starting my nursing program January 13th. I have been freaking out--and classes haven't even started. I am glad that I got on here and got some advice. I am also glad that everyone else seems just as anxious/nervous as me!

I really appreciate the advice everyone!!

I am in school in Virginia Beach-- Tidewater Community College.

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