Overwhelmed!!!!!

[sh1901]

I'm a first year SN and I've just picked up my books today. I'm not overwhelmed by the number of books (13 for 1 class, but mostly reference books) and although I will need to be a weight lifter to carry around the 5,000 lbs. of books, I'm not overwhelmed by that either. I made the mistake (?) of opening the course "packet" which contains everything for orientation later this week, the syllabus, the course outcomes, the reading assignment list, etc., etc. OMG. I know, I know, I have a lot of reading to do and I'm not at all scared of that, I guess just seeing it in black & white on the page in front of me makes it, well, more REAL.

Don't get me wrong, this is not a complaint - more of a rant of sorts. I'm super excited and could not be more proud to be a student nurse....I'm 31 and I have wanted this my whole life. I guess it's kinda like sticker shock when you buy a new car or house.

....and I will now stop my fussing. Thanks for listening!!:heartbeat

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Yes, it is alot of info at one time. My best advice is STAY ON TOP of the reading assignments. Make your flash cards, do the objectives BEFORE class. Never go to class knowing nothing about whats going to be discussed in lecture. Best of luck.

[RNDreamer]

Congrats on becoming a nursing student. It looks overwhelming when you first look at, but take it one day at a time, and one assignment (or two!) at a time. I remember feeling the same way my first semester of NS. Looking at the syllabus was overwhelming, but looking back it wasn't that bad. Good Luck!

ETA: Ditto what the poster above said.

[amarilla, RN]

I just wanted to stop by this thread to offer my congrats.

The beginning is such an exciting time - all the new information, classes, clinical prep. I don't think my feet touched the ground for a few days until I had a better handle of what to expect! *grins

Ditto on the advice to plan and stay ahead as best you can. Perhaps buy a planner and write in your weekly reading assignments, study times, upcoming tests and skills demos? Make some outlines or flash cards for the first chapters assigned? Gather your materials and set about getting ready for the first week?

Most of all...try to relax and let yourself just be happy! Again, congrats.

Best,

Southern

[jeninthedesert, BSN, RN]

I was overwhelmed at first, too. But, once classes started and we started our clinicals, a routine emerged. I feel like I have a grasp on what I'm doing and what is expected of me. I don't feel as overwhelmed now. I'm just more stressed out! :chuckle

Congrats and enjoy!!

[sh1901]

Thanks to everyone. It's good to know that I am not the only one starring at this mound of paper and thinking "oh my goodness" while being overly excited at the same time!

[lilxduckie]

Congrats on making it into the program, it's an accomplishment within itself! I remember when I first started the program I thought my books would topple over me. I think the most important thing for me was to take it one day at a time and not to just keep staring at my syllabus. As much as you want to, don't procrastinate on papers or group projects! It's unecessary stress on your life, but I know we all do it once in a while. Something I learned that was really hard for me was to say 'no'. Saying 'no' to my family and friends when they all wanted to go out was something I had a hard time getting over. I would be at the library studying my butt off while all my friends were enjoying themselves at a football game. But when I got my exam scores back, it was all worth it. It felt so good knowing that all my hard work paid off! So keep on going because it'll all be worth it in the end. Oh, and after my first quarter, I got a rolling backpack.. it's helped ALOT!

[truern]

If you'll notice in the syllabus the materials is divided into sections by dates?? That's because you're not expected to learn it all in the first week! LOL

Just kidding....I remember well how overwhelming it was! :)

[mrface]

I know exactly how you feel. My program is 15 months long when most are double or even triple the amount of time. They crammed all this information into a short period of time. We are expected to read so many chapters before lecture its almost impossible to accomplish. Very overwhelming and very discouraging. But like everyone is saying, you have to stay on top of it or else you will get so behind you wont able to recover. I was never a good student so all this is really a huge shock to me. I had to learn how to prioritize my life and how to manage my time wisely. Even then i felt as if there wasn't enough time. Keep your self goal oriented. Make sure you reward yourself to a job well done. So that you don't become discouraged. Best of luck to everyone. See you in the field maybe - Daniel :D

[mRpeNa]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!I remember when i first go accepted into the nursing program i was overwhelmed on the first day of school during orientation. I agree with everyone else when they say stay on top of your reading another thing I would say is to study EVERYDAY. Go over your lectures, listen to the recordings, and the most important thing is don't beat your self up if you don't get the grade you want! Just know you didn't get this far for nothing! I am 32 and a wife and mother of 2 girls and believe me when I say it wasn't easy. But as time went on it got a little better after I became a litttle more organized. So, if I can do it, I know anyone can! GOOD LUCK!

Good luck

[goodstudentnowRN]

Just take it a day at a time. Make sure you have a planner and write down what you are expected to do on a daily basis. I always have a "things to do list". Try to be on top of things and remain calm.

[CardioNRS~DAWN]

I'm just like you, but I'm not overwhelmed I'm just nervous. My books doesn't go on sale until Wendnesday at my college book store. I haven't seen or heard anything about my NS syllabus. So don't feel alone, thier are a lot of us on these boards that are stating NS this month.

Whenever you need someone to talk to, vent, you can send me a private msg. :icon_hug: