Not Naturally Smart

Published

I'm feeling kind of down today because I think I got a B on my first Anatomy & Physiology exam. I've already been accepted to the nursing program, but I'm still just so mad at myself for not ace-ing that exam. I study a lot, and I put in the effort. I'm not "naturally smart" like many of my peers, but I work hard. Im starting to become uncertain about if I'll be able to pass nursing school. My grades in the past have been all A's and one B. However, it was purely by hard work. Many of my friends are naturally smart and don't have to study as much. Will not having that natural talent hurt me in nursing school? Any advice for me? It's just one of those days :(

"Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard"

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS QUOTE!!! I have been preaching the same message to my sons since they were little!!

Happyinmyheart, I have been getting nothing but A's as my final grade in my pre-reques up to this point. Math is my challenge and I just started college algebra and I am already sweating ending the class with my first B. Just like you, I have to WORK my butt off for these A's. But you know what? Rather I end it with an A, B or even, God forbid, a C, it is not going to stop me from knowing that I will be a hard working, caring and compassionate nurse in the end.

And your B is NOT going to stop you from doing the same. Like the others here have said: YOU GOT THIS!!! Lift and hold your head high and go on with your bad a$$ girl!!! :)

I love that quote as well! I just went and wrote it in my planner :)

I feel as though I can really relate to you, and that makes me feel so much better. I work my butt off to get my grades, so trying my hardest, only to get a B is so discouraging!

I will keep your words in mind as I continue through this class. This will NOT stop me from being an intelligent, kind, caring NURSE! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am not naturally smart either, I work my ass off to get decent grades. I'm in my senior year of nursing school and have received straight B's so far (some of my grades were 90-92%, which in regular college would be an A)... At my school, being naturally smart does not help you one bit. And just a little of my two cents, the first test in any class is hardly ever a good grade. Nursing school is a whole different way of thinking, and a good school will brain wash you (in a good way) to think like a nurse. NO ONE goes into nursing school knowing it all. And EVERYONE has to try really hard to get good grades. Do the naturally smart people get A's? Not necessarily. My best friend in school was valedictorian of her high school class and received no less than a 95% in any of her prerequisite college courses. Nursing school changed that. She got two B's her first semester (in the 90-92% range) just like I did. As long as you keep working hard and stay dedicated, you will do fine. I promise.

Thank you for the reassurance. I will do my best to work as hard as I can, and stay dedicated.

I'm hoping that I'll be able to "think like a nurse". I hear so much about this, but since I don't start my core nursing classes next semester, I guess I don't know if I'm good at it or not yet!

Congrats on being in your senior year of nursing school. That's a HUGE accomplishment, and I hope that I can be in your shoes someday :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nursing school is a different animal. Yes, there is a lot of information and a lot of studying but it's more than that. I had a classmate and good friend I was surprised to hear had gotten in with a "C" in a pre-req class. And you know what? That person is a great nurse. Don't stop yourself before you start. :up:

I've definitely heard a lot of scary things about nursing school! I'm hoping I'll be able to handle it, but I guess I won't know until I get there :) Thank you so much for the encouragement. Hopefully someday I can be a great nurse!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What do you mean by "smart"? Being "smart" is relative. Also if you are already accepted into nursing school, which is really the goal, why are you being so hard on yourself? Some students are naturally "book smart" or they are more scientifically inclined but I think if you do your best, even if that means studying harder than others, you will be fine. Nursing is more than just about grades anyway, isn't it? If it makes you feel any better I got B+ for both A&P I and II and I had to bust my a%$ for those and I am not even close to being accepted into nursing school.

I suppose by "smart" I was referring to book smart. Many of my friends can read our PowerPoint slides over a few times, and know everything. I have to spend days learning this information.... While it took them hours.

I definitely study hard, I guess I just fear that it won't be enough in nursing school....

Congrats on the B+ in A&P I and II. I know that is no easy feat :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My school is the same! I just had an assignment that was near impossible to figure out. It was med school material. I will lose sleep over that assignment :/

Up Vote Up Vote ×

B is an excellent grade for such a hard class, you are a normal person. I got an A and I regret it cause it burned me up, I didn't enjoy it it was just not a pleasant experience. I'm not naturally smart either so you can imagine, I burned my brows and didn't feel good. Yuk! B is balanced and great!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
B is an excellent grade for such a hard class, you are a normal person. I got an A and I regret it cause it burned me up, I didn't enjoy it it was just not a pleasant experience. I'm not naturally smart either so you can imagine, I burned my brows and didn't feel good. Yuk! B is balanced and great!

Thank you! I am studying very hard for my next exam. However, I have the lecture exam the day before, and an exam in another class the day before that. I think on this next one I will be lucky to get a B haha :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Update: I got an A on both my second lab practical and my lecture exam. Yay! :) However, next up is the muscles practical (on Monday) and I'm really having a hard time remembering all of it. Any advice??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Update: I got an A on both my second lab practical and my lecture exam. Yay! :) However, next up is the muscles practical (on Monday) and I'm really having a hard time remembering all of it. Any advice??

Congratulations! I knew you'd be just fine.

As for muscles, I liked to pretend I was working out to learn the muscles. Flex your arms. What is flexing, what is relaxing? Now squat. What is flexing, what is stabilizing? Now stand up. What muscles are helping with extension? Turn your head to the left. What muscles are working now? And so on and so forth. I'm a hands on learner, so that helped me immensely... Also, if you work out, you might know some of the larger muscles already.

That's just me, your mileage may vary.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Congratulations! I knew you'd be just fine.

As for muscles, I liked to pretend I was working out to learn the muscles. Flex your arms. What is flexing, what is relaxing? Now squat. What is flexing, what is stabilizing? Now stand up. What muscles are helping with extension? Turn your head to the left. What muscles are working now? And so on and so forth. I'm a hands on learner, so that helped me immensely... Also, if you work out, you might know some of the larger muscles already.

That's just me, your mileage may vary.

Thats a really good idea! :) I don't work out much, but my boyfriend does so the larger muscles are becoming easier. All of the hand muscles are getting me all mixed up right now (Ex Flexor Carpi Radialis)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Update: Looks like I'm going to finish out A&P with an A- ! Not the A I hoped for, but not the B I was dreading. Not bad for a 5 credit class! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm the same way. I studied for hours for a test and my so called friends just had copied the study guide I worked hard on. They chose not to, their grade showed that but when they said how did you do better than us it hurt my feelings. They often did better without working hard like myself. I switched to afternoon classes because I'm discouraged easily by people like that. One being my boyfriends sister, I have realized I dont care how they get their grades I know I bust my butt while working to get my grades and should be proud of myself. I always struggled with good study habits and finally found what works, even if its more time consuming than what others do. Try not to compare, I'm guilty of it too but its just awful to do it. Be proud of yourself a B is still awesome!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion