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Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2008

motivation and maturity makes all the difference in the world and determines whether you are willing to sit down and work at learning something or will walk away saying, "forget this!" why don't you take a basic math or pre-algebra class at the local community college to test your wings or brush up what you already know? it would be a great way to get your feet wet at being a student again and get a solid background in math you most likely already know but don't realize it before moving on to the serious business of applying this information so you can learn a career. these classes are 8th grade level math. i took one when i decided to go back through the math sequence and was so impressed with how patient the instructor was and willing to help each student be successful. most community colleges also have math labs where students can get free tutoring in math. i also put together free online self help math weblinks that you can find on post #3 of a sticky thread on this forum at https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/nursing-math-thread-264395.html - the nursing math thread

pharmgirl · Aug 12, 2008

I agree with Daytonite that motivation and maturity play a huge role in how successful you are. I was never a very good high school student either but was excepted into a 4 yr college immediately after graduation where I majored in Beer, Pool and Guys. 20 years later, I have made the committment and am jumping into nursing with 2 feet. When you get to a point in your life where you realize what it is you want, it makes it easier to just go for it.

There will be hurdles and obstacles to overcome. Hard, hard work to do but if you keep at it and keep your eye on the prize you WILL succeed. The ball is in your court. When I started school again, my husband told me something that I keep in my mind every single day and it helps me see that all this is possible. He said: If you don't do well, its your own fault because the professors, the tutors, the resource lab are all at your disposable to help you succeed but the drive is your own. So if I don't understand something, I find help, wherever I can find it. You will realize how many people there are that want you to succeed as much as you want to.

Another thing, I'm PAYING for this education and I am going to get every cent worth. Think about it, if we buy something at the store and its broken when we get it home, we take it back......we want what we pay for. Education is no different, but this time, its up to you.

Congrats on your GED, I understand that that is a huge step to your goals. Now keep the rhythm and go for what you want. You can do it. Education is something no one can ever take away from you.

michigansstudent · Aug 12, 2008

You are going to surprise yourself. I too was not a good student in high school. I did what I had to do to graduate. Credit where credit was needed. Did not go to classes that I didnt feel I needed. Boy was that some stress at the end. Anyway, I decided to go back to school 15 years later. I started in a general biology class because science is my passion and I wanted to know if I could do it. The very first lecture was about the six kingdoms of life, and there was only five when I went to school. I cried to my husband that they came up with a whole new kingdom while I was away from science. Anyway, I ended up with an A, loved my teacher, loved the material, remembered some stuff from high school and decided to go for it.

I looked into what you needed to be accepted into the nursing program at the community school. I could not afford to go any where else. The program was competitive 1000 apply 100 get in. Score is based on grade point and Hesi test. So I studied hard, got all A's and did well on the hesi. I was sixth on the list for my school with my first time apply.

If you would have told me I could have been this kind of student in high school I would have laughed at you. I never took a math class. I did a lot of math work books at home to study for the Hesi. I started my way with the meap jr coach for fifth grade and worked my way up. It was great I only got one wrong in the math portion of the hesi and if I hadnt done those books I would have never gotten in.

You can do anything you put your mind to. You are going to surprise yourself.!! Congrats and good luck.

AllieBaney · Aug 12, 2008

thank you this has really helped me. i moved forward today and i went in to drop from cosmetology fully and got in contact with the community college here so i'm suppose to go up there this week and do my placement tests and talk to an advisor.

i know i can do it even though i may have my husband sitting there saying you can't at times because of how school does go for me but he doesn't realize that i have matured and that first step was getting my ged, the reason i was held back for so long was just because i had failed the math portion and i was scared, boy was i scared because i knew math wasn't my subject. so i enrolled in the ged classes and worked extra hard at my math because i knew i was good at the other subjects. well i took my math part for my ged back in april and i was 10 pts away from getting the whole ged, so i went through some of my other test scores and picked one that was so easy to bring up 10 more points. did my reading and i passed and my score was like 200 pts above what i had gotten the first time i took it. it just goes to show that over time i think you become more book smart and everything when you actually apply yourself to what you want. now that i have my ged i have no gates in the way of me becoming a nurse.

yes i am scared, i know like i said last night its not going to be easy and i know there maybe times i will sit there at the very end of my ropes and may want to say omg forget this but i won't, i know alot say that in life but they all just don't go and forget it. i know you get frustrated and sometimes the wrong things come out lol.

i told my husband last night that i am smart enough to do this, i was like it also does take common sense to know that if you are stuck you can always find help. take a couple minutes after class instead of being the one to rush out and ask the professor if i "don't get it", or come in a few mins before class and if the professor doesn't have time at that point and they will always set up a time that is good for them to be able to help you fully. i know they don't throw you out in the water and expect you to just swim. i have talked to so many nurses and half of them said they totally sucked at math, they got the grade they needed to be accepted into the nursing program, and they even found help when they needed it. they all have told me if its what you have wanted to do for years don't give up on it, because in the end if you do give up you will be sitting there at 43 yrs of age going why did i give up??