New nursing student

guiltysins · May 20, 2010

I'm also starting in the fall and while I'm very anxious I'm also very nervous. About the group studying, I think it depends on the situation. For one the students in your class. If they aren't productive and making the most of a study group then it's probably not a good idea. Small groups are key. 3-5 people the most, I find when there is more than 5 people the studying becomes less studying more chatting. It does help though to have your friends quiz you, I find that you retain information more when you're "tested" on it by other people than just reading notes over and over again. But you don't have to study all the time in groups, I take notes in my own little way (blame it on my mild OCD) so sometimes only I can understand them and how I have thing organized.

You were good enough to make it into nursing school, so you're smart enough! You just have to have confidence and have dedication. Some of my friends don't have lives but some have designated time to hang out, just make sure you make up the studying. Never stop studying, because everything flows. You study as you go along instead of studying before a test. You may not be able to go out 2-3 nights in a row depending on how many days you have classes.

With the online classes, that depends on you. Do you feel these are subjects you could learn on your own without the classroom setting? If you hesitate with that answer then it's probably a good idea to take them on campus, just to be safe.

I'll be taking those same classes, minus political science and adding in med math and a clinical. Good luck! =)

redalert7777 · May 20, 2010

Congrats on getting accepted!! For me personally, the social life really had to take a back seat, which is very difficult for some to accept at first. But you definitely have to keep your priorities straight, otherwise your grades will show it. I didn't use study groups too much, I'm very selective about who I take the time to study with, because your time becomes VERY valuable! Align yourself with the students who want to do the best, and you'll do great. Do your reading first, and then go to the study groups, I knew some people would go to the study groups to "learn", but sometimes people are throwing things out there and unless you have the basics down, you'll get more confused. Get some NCLEX books, Saunders, Lippincott's, Med Surg Success to study also, and to help in learning the rationales and how to answer the questions. Read from different sources, you can do youtube videos, make flash cards, case studies, tutoring, mind maps, & study guides to your textbooks to get a good foundation & make sure that you grasp the concepts. Some people would record lectures, & listen to them while driving to class or clinicals. For online classes, you could do that, as long as you are very self-motivated. I've never taken them, but for me, I personally would struggle with it I'd wind up on FB or something, lol. But as long as you know yourself, or if you've done online classes & been successful, then why not? What works for some people may not work for everyone. You just have to figure out your style of learning, and what works best for YOU.

It is very difficult, and unlike any classes I had taken before. I remember thinking A&P or micro was hard, but this is just a WHOLE new level. You'll get it though, at first it may be a bit of a "culture shock" with the studying and what's expected, and it will be overwhelming, but just keep pushing, and don't give up (Trust me, we all have that "moment" where we feel like it!). Once I figured out the studying by the things I mentioned above, I started doing much better. I used to think that just reading the texts would be enough, but doing other things to actually implement what you've learned because you have to learn how to put it all together and apply your knowledge. Good luck, and feel free to email me if you have any more questions!!

decieann · May 20, 2010

I just finished my first semester of nursing. At first, I felt as if someone had turned a fire hose on me full blast and I couldn't take it all in. It is a whole new way of thinking. You are no longer just memorizing facts and spitting them out. Critical thinking skills are vital. You will be taking the facts you learn, put them into a patient scenario, and then you will choose the best of two right answers.

If you feel overwhelmed, it's okay. Everyone else does too. Once I realized that, it took a huge load off. In fact, I've talked with students in various stages of their nursing training and to first year nurses as well as with friends who have been nursing for years. Oddly enough, I was quite relieved to find out that the feeling of being overwhelmed and not quite sure of yourself doesn't go away until you've been a nurse for at least a year!! Once I realized this feeling was going to be with me for a while, I made friends with it!!

Study groups are important. We all have different strengths and abilities. I am part of a group of five women from my class. We are all incredibly diverse in our approaches to life. But, we have all brought something different to the group. We didn't get together to study a lot this semester, but we shared info via email. One young woman types out everything and is always way ahead of the game. She has already emailed our fall calendar and reading schedule to us. Also, we each melted-down and cried "I can't do this" at different times. We were able to help get each other through. You will not be able to do this alone, you need others to be strong when you are weak and to pick up on the things that you missed. Practicing clinical skills together will be necessary also.

I hope this helps a little. Also, find anyone who is a semester or two ahead of you in your same school Pick their brains for what helped them, extra books, websites, study tips, etc.....They will be a very valuable resource to you. Good luck!!! It's an awesome adventure to be on!!

Scrubmouse RN · May 20, 2010

I didn't think Fundamentals was too hard. What is hard is Pathophysiology and Pharmacology. I got the study guides for my text books ( I didn't get one for pharma, but there are flashcards, if you are that type of learner). Do lots and lots and I mean lots of NCLEX practice questions. Find out, not only the right answer, but rationalize why the other answers are wrong. Find the right answer for the practice questions you got wrong in your text.

For Pharm, I memorized suffixes to various drugs. Example. the -lols (propanolol) are beta blockers, the -prils are ACE inhibitiors, etc. you'll start seeing a pattern for most of the drugs.

Good luck!

stephie_love · May 20, 2010

Buy a recorder for your lectures. :clown:

WWE DiVa · May 20, 2010

Go to summer school and please free up your schedule! Why wait until the fall to take all that?

Faith213 · May 20, 2010

Go to summer school and please free up your schedule! Why wait until the fall to take all that?

I agree. If you can, get your political science and pathophysiology or pharmacology out of the way. Having an understanding of patho or pharmacology beforehand will help things in fundamentals and clinicals make more sense. If you have to take them all in the fall, it's doable but I would suggest to lighten your load if possible. Good luck!

graykitty · May 21, 2010

Go to summer school and please free up your schedule! Why wait until the fall to take all that?

Yes, I agree also! Your first semester can be difficult just getting into a routine, and you must study, study, study. The more you have on your plate, the more overwhelmed you may feel at times.

I returned to school to make a career change; I'm 55!! I'm also in my final semester, hope to be DONE in August. It has truly been a challenge, but so very interesting. Two tips for you: #1 -buy a recorder and record lectures if you are allowed to. Do your reading first, then listen to the tape to pick up anything you missed, and for reinforcement. You can even listen to it while in the car..., and #2 - do your own reading/studying first, THEN go over things in a small study group. You will glean things from the others, as they will glean from your ideas. IMO you won't get anything from a study group until after you have done your reading of the subject matter first. Congratulations on being accepted! Make your commitment to giving it your all, and refuse to give up!!! You'll do fine! :yeah:

katebean04 · May 21, 2010

FIrst of all, congratulations on being accepted into nursing school.I think that study groups can be good and bad. I am still doing my prereqs and found it more helpful to exchange phone numbers with a few determined students. That way you can call or text each other if there is something that you don,t understand. Study groups have ended up bad for me when it was more than five people, when we weren't at a library or on campus, and when there was a huge test or finals. My biggest study tools so far have been flashcards and the web companion that comes with the text books. I wish you the best of luck, you will find a good study routine...it might take some time to get into a groove but you will. Congratulations again! :yeah:

LACortez · May 21, 2010

I've been accepted to Nursing School as well!! I'm so excited to begin in the Fall! I'm so scared as well, I've heard the HORROR stories about the first semester lectures and clinicals.. I have friends who are currently on their last semester, not to mention my boyfriend just graduated on Monday!, who suggest that we read EVERYTHING before lectures, that way we know what it going to be talked about, and then to go back and just review the readings as fillers to what lectures did not cover. NOTES are important as well, whether you get them handed ot in class, or you take them yourself.. always highlight what the professors are emphasizing on. TESTS are not memorization-recall exams, they are more NCLEX style questions... so do get Kaplan's NCLEX style questions/rationale study guides for the appropriate rotation.. GOOD LUCK to us!! :yeah:

CrunchyMama, ASN, RN · May 21, 2010

Nursing school is very hard and unlike any other class I've taken before starting. As far as study groups go, it's really up to you. For me, I'd rather be alone in quiet but if you think you'd do better then go for it. Just read read read read read and don't stop! Congrats and good luck!!!