as a prenursing student, do video games and studying mix or bad idea?

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I used to get all A's and B's in school, knew calculus in the 8th grade, and competed in national math contests. Then my dad died while I was in high school. I got my first F senior year. I go to U and get kicked out. I started to identify myself as a slacker and developed a hatred for school. I also got heavily addicted to video games. Playing from morning until night sometimes for 20 hours straight. Went to different colleges on and off for 5 years, and never graduated.

Fast forward 10 years. I had an ephiphany and now letting go of the past. Im actually a person who enjoys school and excelling, I just had baggage holding me back. I've been studying hard and doing the work. Got provisionally accepted to a nursing program as an intended nursing student. Everything should be good to go as long as I get A's and B's in rest of pre-reqs.

So my question is given my history should I keep my gaming computer or get rid of it. (I was almost close to upgrading it so it can play games with high graphics. It felt like the past was coming back to haunt me). I've played for 50 hours in the past two weeks. I feel like its a distraction for I have fallen behind slightly. I'm pretty confident I can get A's and B's in these pre-reqs but at the same time I don't want to jeopardize my grades even in the slightest. I've failed at school enough. This time I have to do it, no turning back, no quiting, no failing.

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DH and I have 2 XBOX and we play with our clan online when we have time. Now, when was time to study, the XBOX would accumulate dust for a couple of weeks.

If you are an organized person, I don't see why you should get rid of one of your hobbies. On the other hand, if you think the PC is going to be a problem, just get rid of it. You're the best person to answer your own question :)

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I strongly believe that if you are determine to get the grade you want you know exactly what to do. You know where your weakness lies and what your strengths are. I don't believe anyone should be studying 24 hours, I do believe that every now and again you ought to take a break. If you know that playing video game is a distraction I suggest that you don't upgrade it. I also suggest that any game that you have installed on the computer to delete it. If you which to play a game, try ones that are less appealing. This will cause you to stop playing and get back into the books.

Don't know if that will work but it is a thought that can be considered.

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Hmm, I'm still in a dilemma. If I get rid of the computer, I'm going to have to use something else for stress-relief, fun, break time.

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I would suggest you change you approach to the video games. Turn them into stress relief and as a reward system for achieving your study goals. Your long term goal is to get through nursing school or the semester, or whatever. Upon achieving that, reward yourself with an upgraded system. Until then, change your use of the games. Make a study calendar. Allow ((for instance) one hour per week or 20 minutes at the end of the day or whatever), only if you do what you need to be doing. It will be good to get your mind and eyes away from the books for this 20 minutes and using the videos as a personal reward will allow you to incorporate the games into your new study life by turning them into something that is good, not a distraction. Good luck. You can do this.

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Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

Let's see -- in the past you were so addicted to video games that you played up to 20 hours straight. In the last two weeks you've played 50 hours, which works out to 3.5 hours per day and you're not even using an upgraded system yet.

Personally, I use food for stress relief and am obese as a result. There are certain foods that I cannot have in my house, ever, because I don't have the self-control not to binge on them.

It sounds to me like you asking if you should buy a fancier gaming computer is a lot like me asking if I should buy that gallon of Reese's peanut butter cup ice cream that I was craving on the way home from work (but managed to resist buying). Or an alcoholic trying to convince themself to buy just one bottle of wine.

I think you should absolutely not buy the upgraded system, and I think you know this already. Get rid of the old system instead. And yes, you will have to develop other ways to relieve stress, but given your history, I think trying to play video games just a little isn't going to work for you. Why risk it?

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Specializes in Med Surg - Renal.

As a nursing student, I golfed a lot less than I liked but I sure didn't throw my clubs away.

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I'm with noahsmama on this, it's starting to look like an addiction. You had a traumatic experience and eventually video games filled the void and took over your life. You also said you are now behind and this is only with the prereq's (they don't compare with what's ahead). Why have your addiction around you constantly when it has proven to take over your time in the past. This seems like a no brainer.

The previous poster mentions that his golf clubs weren't thrown away, but if he had been playing for 20 hours straight until standing in the dark while holding a golf club at 3 am on the greens, I hope he would rethink that.

Addictions seldom come with preprinted labels that say, "I'm an addiction, so handle me with care." If this was sex, drugs, alcohol, or food then everyone whould be responding differently and telling you to stop. Read what you wrote. It's fairly clear. Move on, ditch the games and accomplish your goals.

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Maybe I'll get rid of this computer. Then buy a netbook (mini laptop) which isn't powerful enough to play games, but can be used for word processing tasks/research.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

You can be a gamer and still be preparing for nursing school, you just have to set limits for yourself. I've been playing WoW for almost 7 years. I used to be a hardcore raider before I started nursing school pre-reqs (5+ hours a night, every night) but I had to cut that down for school. I still played some, but MUCH less than I used to. I played all through nursing school, and studying for the nclex, and graduated with a 3.9 gpa and passed the nclex in 75. I had to use moderation, and it wasn't always easy, but it can be done, you just have to know yourself really well.

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i agree with the folks that identify this as addictive behavior. and i notice that you have already made that connection yourself, perhaps hoping to get a different answer. no luck with me.

brain chemistry being what it is, as soon as you start back with that your brain will raise up its hands and cheer, and you'll never be able to make it buckle down and do stuff that isn't as rewarding to its warped sense of rewards (like studying electrolytes and cardiac physiology for example-- not nearly as cool as slaying that dragon).

the aa folks have it right. one of the first steps is to acknowledge you are powerless over this. don't upgrade the system, don't buy the peanut-butter-cup ice cream, don't pick up that bottle of beer (it's only one! they always say that), don't light up that first cigarette. teach your brain better behaviors by removing its chances to reinforce bad ones.

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No offense, but I think you're nuts if you upgrade. If I were you, with your history, and I had just started nursing school and turning my life around, and I suddenly played 50 hours of video games and was wondering about upgrading my system, I'd be taking a really long walk with myself and asking myself why I am sabatoging my future.

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