new mother and new student

[shortlane]

I'm 20 yrs old and I had my baby almost 2 months ago....I took the NET test last week and I passed woo hoo! School starts on oct. 8....I am very excited! Being a new mom and starting a new career is going to be rough and very time consuming but I think I can do it!...the program is 14 months ...I know I should be patient but eek that's long! any advice to a new mother and a new nursing student?

[suzy253, RN]

Congratulations & good luck with your nursing career.

[scallywags]

Congratulations on both the baby and your new venture as a nursing student. When I was in school, there were many new moms and those who were expecting. I know it is possible to do it and think you will do great.

[L&D_2b]

I'm a mother to four children ages 12, 8, 4 and 1. The best advice I can give you is make a schedule and stick to it. Believe me, it will be the only way you will find time to get things done.

Learn to either get up early and study, stay up late and study, or both. I prefer mornings before my older kids go off to school.

I throw in a load of laundry before I leave for class. I put it in the dryer when I get home. Dinner goes in the crock pot insert the night before and then all I have to do is take the insert out of the fridge and put it in the crock pot in the morning. ALL important dates go on the calendar, including my class schedule, my kids important class dates and homework assignments, doctors appointments, etc. I just use a different color sharpie marker to depict whether the info pertains to me, my husband, my kids, appointments, etc. It makes it easy when you make a quick glance at the calendar the night before.

I hope this helps. Just remember, you can do it! I like to think of this quote when I get down "You only see the obstacles when you have stopped focusing on your goal".

Good luck!

--Marci