comfyslippers

i just finished my 1st semester and wow...it's tough but doable! 1. get sleep! (seriously, i didnt realize how important this was until 3/4 way through the semester!) 2. be open to new ways of studying, but do only what works for you!!! i did try the voice recorder, ( which i did sometimes listen to at night before exams) tried to the study groups, which for me, i think i do best studying the same way i have been during all of my pre-req classes..at home, alone,( i have 4 sons, never really alone!) reading and writing notes. 3. you are a pct, so i think you will have the comfort level i did not have at all with clinicals! i think that's 1/2 the battle!! 4. remember you'll get through it....it seemed so overwhelming at first, and like it would never end...and then it was over. i'm hoping 2nd semester goes by quickly too!! good luck!!!

i'm just finishing up my first semester in an adn program , and i do agree on the good night sleep that's for sure!!! when i began in august, i made sure that i went into this program with an open mind, eager to try any type of study habits since i had heard how difficult the program would be. i have to say that you can over study. i was always a person to write notes, rewrite my notes and study by myself. well i did buy a voice recorder, flashcards and joined a study group....even went to the tutor now and then! truly, i know these things work for others but i found the most help in the voice recorder, i would listen to the lectures again before bed, and you really can miss some things while in lecture. i also felt that it helped recording lectures because i could pay more attention to the instructor as opposed to frantically jotting down notes. the study group really didn't work for me, maybe next semester i'll try again but really, i felt like we focused on some certain subjects too long and some not enough. it got a bit chaotic and my test grades really reflected that. i do best on my own, studying the same way i have through all of my pre-reqs. i really think as a new nursing student it would be good to try various ways to study--but also dont be afraid to stick with the things that brought you to this point ! sleep is important, and also i have bought some nclex study guide books, i do think they give you a different angle on the same subject and are a great help on those exams!!! i have a husband who works nights and is never home and 4 sons...and i have to say it is doable!!! take one day to be with your family/friends and get that sleep! :) good luck and congrats!!! :)

i am a 1st semester student as well, with about 3 weeks to go til the end of this semester! () i am just now starting to feel a bit less anxious with patients, seriously it took almost the entire semester. i was told also, to just get in there , do your assessment, get those vitals and get out. i was afraid to wake the patient or honestly sometimes it was hard to even walk into the room. i think confidence will come in time. i'm thankful for getting into this program, and some days i even like it----but there are those days when i think "what the heck am i doing???" i just take it one day at a time. there is on rn who i shadowed a week ago who was great, just a great all around nurse. she told me that she hated nsg school but loves the job. so there's hope :)

:yawn:holy cow..i feel the same way!!! i hit a wall totally , can't get back into studying like i was before the week off! i feel pooped! what a time to feel that way....tomorrow is our last day of clinical and then 3 weeks for exams/finals.....hope i pick up some steam soon!!!! good luck to all! :)

:heartbeati love your post! sums it up in a nutshell for me!! my 11yr old son ( 1 out of 4 boys!) came up to me today and said, "mom, if i studied this much, my head would blow up." :) yep, almost there buddy....!!! well we're 3 weeks into it and all stick alive and kicking!!! good luck to all of you and have a wonderful week!!!

i hope nextes week is better for you!!! i too, had serious brain farts...i mean, my mind would go completely blank when asked a question...i felt pretty inadequate. but we are students and we will learn. just take it day by day and lots of deep breathes!

:heartbeatcongrats on all of the nursing students finishing their 1st and 2nd weeks!!! i finished my 2nd week today---wow....lots of work!!! just when you think, " how in the world am i going to get all of this done?" you get it done. i guess for me, what i've learned in these 2 weeks is that you have to be organized, concentrate on what is due first and finish it, and get some sleep! the first week i hardly slept, up all night reviewing for math quizzes, assessment terms, etc...i felt overly stressed. this week, i made sure i had at least 6-7 hours of sleep each night and it did make a difference. my instructor is fantastic, so that definitely helps matters! also, i've never used a voice recorder in the past for pre-reqs. i did buy one for this program and have to say it has helped me. i listen to the lectures as i drive home from school, or before i go to sleep, i'm also less stressed taking notes, just knowing i have a back up. sometimes you just miss what is said. i am terrified about clinicals of course...also getting checked off next week for initial assessments...but just take one day at a time!!! i am also learning that i may not be a candidate for large study groups...for me what seems to work is one on one..or even 3 people max to bounce things off of. i am ready for this long weekend..that's for sure!!! ( although it will be filled iwth reading text books :) good luck to all of you :)

:up:Congrats and good luck to you! I also am beginning nursing school this fall and am SO excited yet SO nervous!!!! There is a reason that we got in!!! Be strong and know you are not alone! There are many people who would love to be in your spot!! Just do your best and have faith in yourself!!!! :)

:heartbeatit is good to know that your children survived your nursing school!!! i have 4 boys, 9,11,17,18 and yes, i worry about not being there enough for them..but i know the light at the end of the tunnel is there.....in 2 years:) i start nursing school next month and am addicted to this site, it really helps to hear other's experiences!!! thanks ! lisa

:madface:please don't let others opinions get in the way of your journey in this life. it doesn't matter how old you are, how many kids you have, and unfortunately it doesn't matter if even friends and family don't understand your dreams and goals. (although it would be nice wouldn't it?) i am 44, have 4 sons, 19,17,11, 9...have also been a stay at home mom....and over the last two years, just started to take two classes a semester, also starting with online classes. i really didn't have full support from family members...my mother not wanting to "hear about that school stuff talk, why do you put yourself through all this work ???"! well, i had a 4.0 gpa going through these pre-reqs, and ended up with a 3.94 when i applied this spring to our community college's rn program....much to my surprise i was accepted!!! (extreme shock!) i just want to say that you can do this! there have been many negative opinions sent my way...i ignored all and kept on plugging away. funny, after time people see that you are serious and that their negative vibes just aren't going to shake you. you know what? they start praising you and will tell you, " wow! you're really pulling this off! i knew you could do it!!" () 2 years flew by..and i'm hoping the next 2 in the program do too!!! you will be a fantastic role model to your children!!! i'm hoping my boys will know as they get older that just because they may make some mistakes, or don't achieve the things they want to achieve at a young age; there is always tomorrow and you can pick up and start over at any time in life. you can achieve anything you want , you really can. of course there will be people that are naysayers..but they are just worried and scared because of change..you will become stronger and smarter than ever and you will then change and gain so much self esteem---that threatens some. they'll come around. and if they don't, that's ok too, you will be so proud of yourself and you will empower yourself...you wont need others to define you. i was an average student in high school, i surprised myself with my grades! (20+ years later) you can do it too!!! my school accepted 3.4 gpa and above as well as the results of the tease, our nursing entrance exam. take it one class at a time, start with online then gradually add a class ...you'll be amazed at just what you can accomplish! by the time you are finished with the pre-req's, if you do it slowly like i did, your little ones will be in 1st grade/preschool and you'll find it easier to take more classes. dont give up---i wish i had support when i started...but it's kinda funny to watch others opinions change right before your eyes while they witness you forging ahead and acheiving great things!! take care and do what's right for you!!! lisa:heartbeat