organization and life in school

[tcrn]

I am relocating to texas for the first 5 months of a 29 month program. My husband and 10 year old will drive down everyother weekend and I plan on coming home after a few major tests. What I need to know is how to organize my schedule and what to expect.

I understand that the days of gauking at the skyline and scenery are long gone. That I will spend hours studying and not much else. And that a social occasion will be ordering pizza and snarfing it as I study with the group.

How does one accomplish having time to exercise? Do you make note cards and review them on the treadmill or get with a partner and quiz eachother and how has that worked out for you?

On weekends my family is there I would like to be able to set aside at least 2 hours or so to do a family activity. I feel like we owe it to each other to have this since they are far away from me for 2 weeks at a time. Granted, I may have a huge test on monday and they may have to participate in "give mom questions of her note cards".

Testing. I understand that certain instructors take pride in writing tests that twist things into ways that could make us go blind. Any suggestions on what has worked for you?

I am going to live by myself for the first time. I thought what might make it more tolerable was to meet classmates who live in my apt complex. I hear a lot of students live there and its just a matter of finding them. Thinking that I could hang up a sign with my email address regarding study groups or sharing rides to class. I am willing to do anything to make this work! Even if it takes hosting all the study groups and people doing all their laundry at my place as we quiz eachother.

Right now, I am trying to spend time with family and friends and make arrangements to be at school. Seeing every movie I can, organizing the house, ect.

Thanks and good luck to all of us!

[TraumaMaster]

I am right with you. If you want, we can alternate apts! I am not sure where you are living but mine is on Bryant Irvin. Anyway, I have the whole drive situation too, so I bought a digital voice recorder to make CDs, and I plan on taking my treadmill with me. I bought the the notecards that go with our anatomy book (don't know if they will help) but I thought surely they would be easier to use on my treadmill than a book. Anyway, some of my other buds from Tyler are moving up there too for the program so we would be more than happy to be in a study group.

Anyone else have words of advice?

[TraumaNurse]

I think some of the organization will depend on whether you are in a front loaded or integrated program. My program is integrated, so I can give you some pointers that have worked for me.

School will consume your life. But if you manage your time well, you can find time for most things that you enjoy. My wife works weekends to support us, so I take care of the kids, dogs, and house on the weekends. This does get tricky for me when I have exams on Mon, but I fit it the studying when I can. For example, I may let the kids play in the yard while I sit and read my textbooks in the shade, or on rainy days, let them watch a movie while I hit the books. I would rather throw a ball or play tag, but I have to do what I can, when I can. I also make sure I take a few 'study breaks' to play with the little ones too.

During the week, it's all school. Classes/clinical in day, study in between classes or after school for a few hours. I spend a few hours each day with my family and have dinner in the evenings and then it's back to books for a few more hours.

I have also been getting to the gym at least three or four days a week after class in the afternoons or in the am before class. I bring an anesthesia book with me (usually a study guide or quick notes) to read while on the stepper. It helps pass the time on the machine and is productive for school.

You will learn to organize your time as you go. Each class or instructor will dictate how you study for that class and the time required will vary greatly.

CRNA school is a roller coaster ride. Some weeks I am spending more time getting to watch the news or a movie, and then some weeks I am so over loaded, it seems like I will never get through the week.

I suggest you make sure you find the time for excersise and doing some fun stuff too while in school, otherwise it is too easy to burn out. We get our schedule for each week e-mailed to us on the prior Friday. I sit down and plan my entire week, trying to schedule enough time for the material to be covered that week in class and clinical time. I also make sure I have time scheduled to get to the gym and spend time with my family. The better a plan I have, the less time I am likely to waste.

You must plan well but also be flexible. It truely is ALL about time management! Good luck with moving and getting started.

[athomas91]

i applaude those of you w/ children - i don't know how you keep up....

but traumanurse is right on the money - you HAVE to make time to relax - if you don't - school will eat you alive. i find those wks where i don't have a major test (of which there have only been 2 in the last 3 mos) are the wkends where i kick back and spend time w/ friends and family....

and i was never the "study group" type of person - but my friends in the group - i can honestly say we are one another's life line....you will count on them heavily....you will do it - and it will be worth it...it will just take some time to feel it out and find what works for you.... :)

[TraumaMaster]

Thanks for the tips!

[tcrn]

Ditto. Thanks for all the input.