Really excited

Find a study group and meet regularly. Study a lot. Do the reading. Get to clinicals early. See your profs in office hours. Make awesome, clear, well organized notes with concepts explained clearly so you can easily refer back. Make up stupid ways to remember stuff (for example, hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, makes you pee a lot, and the word sounds like thighs to the side, the action you take when you pee)- ways to help you remember concepts in an unforgettable way. Learn to humbly jump through hoops because there's a lot of annoying hoops and peculiarities in nursing school. That's my best advice.

Thank u!

I had a pyscho prof from hades for OB, she made everyones life miserable. Other then that it was ok

I had a pyscho prof from hades for OB she made everyones life miserable. Other then that it was ok[/quote']

Wondering if we went to the same school because I couldn't have described it much better than this about my OB class too!

Study hard!!! It's tough, but you will make some incredible friends, and they will be close to you like family. It's a rough road, but the journey will be memorable and worth it. I still have two semesters left, but I do not regret the choice of going to nursing school at all!! You will make a difference in someone's life during clinical because as a student, you may can actually talk to your patient about their lives! It's rewarding every time leaving that hospital knowing you helped someone get to recovery!! You will be just fine!! Good luck!

1. Buy a NCLEX content review book like Prentice Hall/Mary Ann Hogan or Saunders NOW. They usually go for between $40-55. NCLEX review books will lay out nursing topics in a much easier format than your assigned nursing school textbooks. All though out nursing school, I was able to study less than my classmates by using these books but yet get higher test scores. You will likely be more ready for the NCLEX too by the time final semester rolls around.

2. At clinicals, always choose the sickest patient so you have a higher likelihood of practicing more nursing tasks

3. If you like to study in groups, then go for it. But if you are a lone wolf when it comes to studying, stay that way. No need to change your study habits if they're working for you.

4. Always eat breakfast. And ALWAYS bring plenty of snacks and water to clinical.

5. Work out at least 3-5x a week.

6. Always make a good buddy in your clinical group. It makes clinical go by faster and you'll look forward to go to clinical.

7. My school used Nursing Diagnosis Handbook by an author named Ackley. On the website, https://evolve.elsevier.com/, you can look up NANDAs much easier than the book and generate care plans pretty easily. These are also evidence-based articles linked to all rationales in your interventions. You will impress the heck out of your professor with the amount of evidence-based articles you cite in your care plan (if they requirement citations).

8. Google APA OWL. You'll figure that one out soon.

9. Wear good shoes to clinical. I use Dankso brand but there's more out there. Research AN for more suggestions.

10. Keep reading AN in general in order to get a feel for nursing culture and learn new things. :)

Good luck!

Oh, one more! I mentioned this on another thread earlier ...

11. Work as a CNA, volunteer, and later do an externship. Try working as a CNA now and if you are not licensed yet, try to get a patient care tech job and/or volunteer in a hospital. After med/surg I, apply to externships. In order to be ready for externships, you need to research programs in your area and be sure to have your resume and cover letter up to date. Also, during nursing school scope out potential professors to write you a letter of recommendation so you can send those in with your externship application.

Great info, especially #1. The NCLEX study books really make a difference in studying. I only wish I had done this BEFORE I graduated . Also, AN was a great source throughout school, and a great encouragement during job search.

Just an aside from what everyone else has already said, school comes before working and your social life. I was/am a student who works during school, and it is so much additional stress. Work when you have to, and make sure you reserve time for yourself! And the people in your life who support you and understand how busy you are, are the ones worth keeping around. Nursing school is a whole different lifestyle! Good luck, you'll do great.

I agree with Enthused. Don't change your study habits when it comes to studying in a group. I've never studied in a group and tried when I started nursing school. I hated it!! That being said, make friends with your classmates. Have someone who you can call/text/email when you have questions, because you will have questions.

And buy an NCLEX study guide. I like Saunders A LOT! Make sure that it comes with rationales because it is important to know that stuff. They will teach out a iota.

Do you think I should buy it before I start?

Do you think I should buy it before I start?

Yes, you're only a few days away from starting. If you order one online now, you will get it about a week or two in your semester which is about the time you will be prepping for your first test. Nursing school is fast-paced and the tests will come very, very soon.