Dodie_A

I may try a planner or actually utilizing my phone's calendar feature. Im in no danger of bad grades. A's & B's all the way. However, I'm not very comfortable applying with a 3.4. It's just too low.

Soprano, that's some good advice. Learning style.... For me, it depends on the subject and material. I did really well with a couple of classes just by making flash cards and reading them every night. However, for biology-based material, I have to take several approaches and each depends on the material. For example: the Calvin cycle - I have to watch a few videos/animations on you tube, take notes as I pause them, and make flash cards for the orders of the steps. One of the problems I have is this snap-shot style of learning we're doing. I don't know if all schools are like this. When we're learning new material, we often start and stop ONLY within the parameters of that specific 'thing.' A pretty good example is meiosis- b/c there wasn't much discussion about where the cells came from and where they were headed, it was too easy to mix the process up with mitosis and be lost. Same with action potentials in the NS; we started in the middle and not at the beginning. Made it much harder to put the processes together and to later link them with previously learned material. I am definitely going to look into scheduling my time for next semester. This semester was tough. I ended up with only ONE class, A&P I, and barely made a B; I dropped Stats as there was just no way for me to pass it. I feel like the dumbest person alive right now! So many people make A's with a full schedule and full adult responsibilities. Honestly, I'm tempted to add one more class because I actually did better when I had four classes at a time- 3 A's and a B with the B in Bio120, A's were BioL120, Art, and Psych201. Maybe it's something to do with the pressure. This semester, I never slept more than 4 hours at a time and often only 3 hours. It's like I was always chasing sleep while sloppily juggling everything else...

TC has is right. I realized that this semester. Before now, no matter how many classes I had, I could just go with the flow and study whenever. A&P I kicked my butt this semester and I absolutely have to start scheduling. I think that will help my focus and memory too.

I'm over 35 and working my way through pre-req's to apply to my CC's program in the spring. I notice a few things being an older student: availability, memory, conflicting responsibilities.... I was just wondering if anyone can relate and what are your favorite tricks to make it work.

I'm kind of in the same boat. The program I'm applying to does 'repeat/delete' and takes only your latest grade for the 5 tallied pre-req's. Overall is a different story and I have no idea how far they look into our transcripts. I'm also beating myself up over my low B in A&P I. I'm debating on retaking it next semester.

My overall right now is 3.28. I hit some bumps in the road before I really knew what I wanted to do and knew what I was really capable of doing. Now I'm busting my hump to get the overall above 3.5. The school I'm attending counts four courses towards the GPA for entry. There is no mention of overall. However, they say a 2.5 in those courses is required to apply, but they don't mention that a 2.5 will NOT get you in. There was a period that no one with less than a 3.5 in those four classes got in - and it may have been an overall 3.5. one plus at my school is that they consider those who took all of their courses at that school before those who did not. That could be a problem for you where you're looking. Either way - always play to the GPA! A "W" is better than an "F". Keep trying!

I will keep your story in mind! There is plenty I can do in the mean time. I can take *official* accounting courses while working so I can increase my earning power in that field, I can look into BSN.... No reason to stop trying.

Thanks for reminding me. Going by my CC peers, it is what you put into the education that counts. I take mine as seriously as any university education and I work very hard. College at any level is a privilege and an honor. It's not something to be taken for granted. I see too many that complain about instructors and professors, and it is just sad. I've only encountered three so far that I have issues with. Two are just not great at teaching and are bitter, one more so than the other, another is a good teacher but is mean and bitter. I'm too old for that crap. But I stick it out anyway b/c I know that's what the real world is all about. Back to the subject at hand- I was glad to see that my area doesn't require an MSN for entry-level nursing positions.

Degree inflation AND snobbery. Fun times ahead.... I just checked my locals and no one here is requiring a MSN or BSN. They all say graduate of accredited school, and mostly are asking for 2yrs experience in hospitals. Hey! I might have a shot after all!

I have seen the degree trend passing through all lines of work. Some private companies require a 4-yr just to answer the phone! It is crazy! And scary. I have a background in accounting and a lot of experience in it. That goes further than someone fresh out of college. Sure, they may know some technicalities that I may not, but they don't yet know how to handle the job. It's ridiculous and offensive that they (the fresh-out-of-college kid) are getting paid more, even if just a few dollars, for doing the same job. This trend isn't just in nursing. Looking from the bottom up, I thought the trend in nursing is intended to keep community college grads out of the workforce.

What's wrong with "community college"? Why is it "lesser"? Does one not still have to pass the NCLEX? Or is there a special NCLEX for "community college" students?

My back up plan is to re-take a couple of courses to improve my GPA if needed, and possibly re-take some Bio, or even a Micro just for experience. Micro isn't required for the ASN program here, but it won't hurt to have it. OR- go back to working accounting for a while/temp while I wait to reapply. I'm also considering getting a real estate license for some back up work, looking into an LPN program, or applying to one of the many plants nearby. I could always go back to accounting, but the pay is terrible and I'll always struggle. I don't really want to work in a plant either. ... So, we'll see what happens.

I've not yet applied to the program my school offers and I've had cold feet this whole semester. That's actually what led me to this website! It's mostly a fear of failure and the unknown. I kept having nightmares of being expected to handle high-trauma ER situations straight out of school. Pretty sure that won't happen. Like you, I've been talking it slow, about four years just to get through ASN pre-reqs. But, I'm older and have other responsibilities, etc. My age scared me a great deal too until I found this site. I don't know about you or your age, but for me, this kind of commitment this 'late' in life is scary. What if it doesn't work out? Will I have 'wasted' all this time? This was my one shot to start a second career, if it doesn't work out, I'm doomed.... those kind of thoughts can get me down.

Single mother of a 5y/o, living with parents as a stay-at-home mom until I finish school. I just turned 40 and am finishing up pre-req's. I will apply next spring. Our program is competitive and hard to get into so I'm focusing on GPA. I'm at a community college and hoping that won't count against me in the long run. For now, I'm relishing the opportunity for an education even if it doesn't pan out, but will still seek a career in the medical field.