preparing for school

2jen · Jan 3, 2008

I feel the same way but I start on the 14th!!! I have a meeting with a counselor on Monday and a class next Saturday that will help prepare us for the program and I am hoping to feel a little better after that.

LiveZen · Jan 3, 2008

I'm starting my fourth quarter on monday....woohoo! At my school 3rd quarter is supposed to be the toughest and I more than survived. You can do it!

As far as prepping goes...the main thing is to be organized when you start. Have a plan. Enjoy some extra time doing your favorite things. You'll have to figure out how to work these things into your schedule later, but you DEFINITELY CAN

(don't listen if people say you "won't have a life" when you're in school...you can if you make it happen. I go to school full-time and work part-time, even through the toughest quarter, and thatone of the happiest, most fun quarters I've ever had. :) Make time for fun and make time for YOU.

I wouldn't worry about reading ahead in the text books. If you feel like that's something you REALLY want to do, physiology would be something that anybody could use some more review of. But, again, the main thing is to be relaxed and ready for the adventure that's about to start!

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. I found a couple of upperclassmen from my school on this board when I started last year and they have been a Godsend. I'd love to pass on the favor.

catzy5 · Jan 3, 2008

Hi Everyone,
I start school on January 28. I was just wondering how everyone is preparing for school. Is anybody trying to read the texts before hand? I feel like I'm just wasting this month before I start. I have read how overwhelming 1st semester can be. Any thoughts or suggestions????
Lori

I start the 22 of January, with an orientation on the 14 and workshops on the 15th. I have started to read one text that I have. I have also been reviewing things, like fluids/electrolytes. Also my drug calculations, I took a drug calc class but it was 3 years ago, I am not sure how much they want us to know right away, they have changed this around, you used to take that drug calc class first semester but now they have combined it with pharmacology, so that is the book I have been reading. I have also been getting myself organized, tying up loose ends doing some major cleaning etc...and This week my kids are off from school so we have been total bums! and enjoying every minute of it.

kayel · Jan 3, 2008

Yes, I agree that the best thing is to get yourself organized (work on a schedule for your life, in particular!!) and rested before school starts! It would be good to review past topics like A&P or whatever you took in pre-nursing. I would not start reading texts although the temptation is there and certainly wouldn't hurt you .. of course, if you have a syllabus that would steer you in the right direction. I do know that before I started, people said, "enjoy your time off," and I think that's a very good thing.

GL in your preps!! That's very awesome and exciting!!!! Can't wait to hear about your first day!

NoviceRN10 · Jan 3, 2008

I already have my syllabus in hand so know what reading needs to be done before my first class (January 14th). I have started learning the clinical calculations because I suck at math and I want to have most of it learned before I even start (we do the math pretty much on our own through an online component of the lab class). I have my new binders all in order with my syllabuses/assignments inside, some notebooks, pens, highlighters, stapler, etc ready to go in my bag. I would definately start doing some reading if you have the spare time, it will mean less cramming once you actually start :).

MB37 · Jan 3, 2008

If you have syllabi, you can at least start on the first week's reading when you have time, but I wouldn't start doing the buckle down type of studying. Definitely get your school supplies bought and organized, uniforms, etc., get the house cleaned, make any appointments that you might need in the next month or two - MD, dentist, vet, etc., and figure out what help you might need for the semester - look up 20 and 30 minute recipes if you cook, make sure your significant other has the numbers handy for your favorite take out places for nights before exams, hire a maid if you can work it into the budget, make sure you have child care organized if you have kids, etc. Definitely enjoy having some free time too though, take a weekend trip somewhere if you can, read some non-nursing related books, and watch some reality TV. Congratulations, and good luck!

aparsonsmomof3 · Jan 3, 2008

I also start on the 14th of January. I really can't do anything until the 8th of January because that's when my financial aid is transmitted so I can't buy my books until then. However, during Orientation, they gave us a list of medical abbreviations and dosage equivalents to get us started on. We are taking a test on this stuff the second week of school and have to have a 90 on that exam before we progress any further.

I'm just relaxing and enjoying my time off. Getting the house organized and my schedule organized is top priority right now. Hubby is taking over domesticated duties when I start school and he needs all the help he can get (I've been a stay at home mom for 13 years and he knows nothing about cleaning, cooking, or laundry!! I need major prayer for him...he's so in for a shock!!)

Good luck to everyone...let us know what ya'll first day was like!!

RNMom2010 · Jan 3, 2008

To prepare for nursing school I am trying to enjoy the things I will not have time to do once in school. I am reading a novel, working on a cross stitch (yes I am a nerd), spending time with my fiance and my critters, my family, friends. I drank like there was no tomorrow for New Years Eve. I have been organizing my house, cleaning things out, doing little projects that I have been putting off. Googling some casserole recipies so my household does not starve. I purchased my school supplies and am making sure I have everything I need. Ya know, back in the fall I had asked other student what I could do to well prepare for school and the post that stuck out the most to me was.... "Don't study, have some fun and relax", which is exactly what I have been doing!

lulu1224 · Jan 3, 2008

Thank you everybody for all your great insight. I can't wait to start. My orientation is on the 18th so hopefully we will get more information then. My school wants everyone to bring an adult family member to the orientation so they can hear it from the faculty how difficult the next couple of years will be. I have been trying to prepare my family of what to expect for the next two years, but it always helps to hear it from an outside source. :monkeydance:Good luck to everybody going into their first semester!!!!

jackson145 · Jan 4, 2008

I start on the 14th. I've worked my way through my Math for Meds book (we have to do it on our own, at home) I've watched all my Fundamentals DVD's that came with the textbook and I've done all the reading and review questions for the first test in Pharm.

If I didn't have school work to do, I'd go crazy with boredom.

Esther2007 · Jan 4, 2008

I am doing the things that I wont have time doing, like spending times with family and friends. I have already read the first two chapters, and went over the oncology drugs. I am just reading to get a general idea, not killing myself. I have to read another 2 chapters before I start on January 24. By the time I start, I will have a basic understanding about what I am going to learn for the semester. I do that every semester and this is my 4th.