determined-deedee

Hi Kell, I too am a student in her first semester. I know exactly what you mean about nerves. I was actually covered in hives the entire night before, and day of my first test. I have calmed down somewhat and I even passed my first nursing skills check-off in lab (and they are brutal). what I found helps me is to talk confidently to myself in my head. Sounds a little crazy, but you know that negative voice in your head that keeps saying things like what if you fail, or you can't do this. Change that to I can do this, and I will not fail. Repeat as necessary until you get all that negative stuff out of your head. Cause you CAN do it. Hey, you got a 90% on the first test. Just study and do your best. You will have no problem

whiteoleander5, we are all just trying to make sense of the material right now. It sounds ridiculous but I think my school is "thinning the herds" or weeding out the weak the first semester. I had 12 chapters to read, 20-30 pages each, this weekend. No way I could memorize that volume of material! that isn't counting written assignments or pharm class. My fundamentals prof. said science of nursing, or our next class is even harder. Way to motivate I am a wreck, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in this program. Just hang in there, and don't stop trying:pumpiron: We can do it others have.

Do not read into the ?'s is a good point. I think (gotta stop that, lol) I was overthinking. I haven't gotten the results of my first exam, but I don't think I did very well I have never had a problem with getting A's. This nursing school thing is truly humbling. I am not nearly as smart as I thought I was.

hi, i posted basically the same concerns recently, and got really helpful advice. first of all get nclex for dummies, it will get you used to the types of ?'s on the exams. then go here http://evolve.elsevier.com/staticpag...velopment.html it has some good test taking tips, like you i was amazed at how difficult the ?'s on my first exam seemed. one last bit of advice, understand the reading but don't memorize it. just make sure you really comprehend the concepts.since i started using these strategies i am doing much better answering the ?'s at the end of the chapters. good luck:mad:

Thanks all. Wow I feel so supported here:redpinkhe These are great tips, you all really seem to know what you are talking about. Must be all of the critical thinking skills you've acquired from nursing school. I am going to order NCLEX for dummies right now, then check out that test taking tips site from Unseen. I am so glad I posted.

Thank you Beth and Jinx. The book on test taking strategies sounds like a good idea. The amount of reading is monumental. I do need to make some sort of schedule and stick to it, because right now I am spinning in circles trying to figure out what to do first . Today was a little better in class. I will make it. One day at a time. Now it is time for me to put on my glasses and hit the books. Thanks again.

Hi everyone, I don't know if I will even post this. I am 44 and in my 3rd week of ADN nursing classes. I have been taking prereqs at night for four years. straight A's no prob. I feel as if I am having a serious reality check. This is so hard. I knew it would be but I guess I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. This critical thinking thing, vs. concrete facts is kicking my butt. We just had our first exam in Fundamentals, and I don't know if I even passed. So many of the ?'s were not about what we were told to study. The professor made fun of me in class today because I asked a ?. Apparently, a stupid one, but I am not stupid. I know I can do this. Does anyone else feel the same way, or is it just me?