Hi friends, my name is John. I'm new here and wanted to start a thread for those applying for the Fall 2014 admission at SJDC. I've read similar threads about past classes and found them interesting and informative.
I just finished up Physiology (still nervously waiting for my grade) and I'll be taking the TEAS at Modesto JC on 12/20. After that I'll be putting together my application!
I just noticed on Delta's ADN site that the TEAS will be offered at the Stockton campus the second week of January. Still no information on when the actual application period is going to be.
Anybody else want to share any thoughts, concerns, rumors, or advice?
I am a 4th semester student at SJDC set to graduate in May, if you have any questions, let me know:) I also will be giving my uniforms away when I'm done (they are in excellent condition), and possibly some books! If you are interested let me know.
Congratulations !!!!! :) I started a thread asking how I could prepare in the case that I do get into the program...do you have any tips on what to start studying? or how to prepare for the first semester? I don't really know what to expect. Wow that would be awesome I would be interested if you are willing to give your things away
I am a 4th semester student at SJDC set to graduate in May, if you have any questions, let me know:) I also will be giving my uniforms away when I'm done (they are in excellent condition), and possibly some books! If you are interested let me know.
Thanks!!! uhmmmm the first semester has A LOT of assigned reading, but its only for the first half of the semester. i think the tests are a little difficult because the questions are in NCLEX format.......with multiple right answers (you pick the best one!), an multiple answer questions. but really think what makes it most difficult is just nerves in the clinical setting and getting your bearings, which no one can prepare you for!! Second semester is a breeze, and med surge 3rd semester is the the hardest followed by psych which is a breeze. the hardest part is remembering all the info, because it all builds on each other, and is brought together 4th semester. first semester prepare to feel a little out of sorts, but thats normal!!! you'll figure it out, and develop your own study pattern. i would be careful about overstudying....go into as much detail on a subject that is on the powerpoint. honestly i haven't opened a book except for a couple times the whole program, but that is what works for me!! but if you study the power points, and really understand it, you shouldn't need to much more than that!
Thank you so much for sharing !!! My friend said the same thing.. that third semester is the hardest also that the instructor is tough..I am just really nervous (I'm not even in yet !) My studying is similar to yours I don't really open a required book unless I don't understand what is on power points. This relieves me at least I wont have to change the way of studying ! Where did you do your clinicals?? Does it really matter or make a difference where they are done?
uhm yea, i think clinicals matter. there are a lot of people who took the "easy" instructors, and aren't as confident. I've had the "tough" instructors pretty much the whole time, and while it sucked, i definitely think I'm better for it. I've done a lot of clinicals at county, where i am currently, and you get a lot of experience with the patients, and they are willing to teach. some places don't let you do as much charting too. so i would suggest not taking the easy way out. my clinical instructor now is neither easy nor hard, but i figure I've paid my dues....especially 3rd semester!!!
I would rather take the more demanding instructors and feel more prepared and confident. I have a friend in the PT program, She is or was doing her clinicals at the county hospital she mentioned that to me as well, that some places don't really let you do much. I didn't know if it was the same for nursing students, thanks if I have the option I will do them at San Joaquin General.
uhm yea, i think clinicals matter. there are a lot of people who took the "easy" instructors, and aren't as confident. I've had the "tough" instructors pretty much the whole time, and while it sucked, i definitely think I'm better for it.
How does one find out which instructors/hospitals are tough vs. easy? Ratemyprofessor? Word of mouth? I feel so out of the loop and pretty clueless about how the whole clinical thing works. The only schooling I've ever done has been in a lecture hall or a lab. I don't have any healthcare experience at all... I'm so anxious!
i didn't have any experience either!! i definitely think it adds anxiety! rate my professor, word of mouth...once you get your registration date, then you just log on and pick! there is probably like 4 different sites, sometimes on different days to choose from. i registered last this semester so i didn't have a choice in who i got!
I am half way through my first semester, so hopefully the advice that I can offer will help those of you who get in to the program. First and foremost, DONT take the study skills course. I followed the advice of others before me, and did not take it. The people in my semester who took it are regretting it, and say it was a complete waste of time. This course runs throughout the entire first semester with assignments that take up time that you will need to spend on Pharm and Theory. Second, DO NOT BOTHER printing out power points for the lectures. The instructors only use them as a guide, and studying them will not help you on exams. My exam grades are extremely high.... (lowest is a 97%) and I attribute that to doing Prep-U questions. (you will learn more about that) It is an online component for your fundamentals book. Third- you will feel completely overwhelmed the first month.....plain and simple. I don't care how great a student you are, it has nothing to do with grades. You just need to get used to the schedule, clinicals, testing style, etc. It does get easier as the weeks go on, in my opinion. Last... no matter what people say about ******* for Pharm, his class is great. He is very very very strict on his policies, but you will learn alot from his lectures. He follows power points, and has a handout every class for you to fill in and follow along with his power points. I hope this little bit of advice can help guide you guys, and I wish all of you the best on getting into the program.
thanks for the advice we will know whether we got accepted or not in about 2 weeks. I am a big lecture person you said to not print those out. This worries me because I am accustomed to study that way! how do you recommend studying for lectures? Could you please share what you do? like do you record, take notes or just sit back and listen. How to study from the book. Anything?? sorry these probably sound like dumb questions but in the case that I do get offered a spot I want to start preparing myself. Do you have any recommendations for what to study before the program begins?
I am half way through my first semester, so hopefully the advice that I can offer will help those of you who get in to the program. First and foremost, DONT take the study skills course. I followed the advice of others before me, and did not take it. The people in my semester who took it are regretting it, and say it was a complete waste of time. This course runs throughout the entire first semester with assignments that take up time that you will need to spend on Pharm and Theory. Second, DO NOT BOTHER printing out power points for the lectures. The instructors only use them as a guide, and studying them will not help you on exams. My exam grades are extremely high.... (lowest is a 97%) and I attribute that to doing Prep-U questions. (you will learn more about that) It is an online component for your fundamentals book. Third- you will feel completely overwhelmed the first month.....plain and simple. I don't care how great a student you are, it has nothing to do with grades. You just need to get used to the schedule, clinicals, testing style, etc. It does get easier as the weeks go on, in my opinion. Last... no matter what people say about ******* for Pharm, his class is great. He is very very very strict on his policies, but you will learn alot from his lectures. He follows power points, and has a handout every class for you to fill in and follow along with his power points. I hope this little bit of advice can help guide you guys, and I wish all of you the best on getting into the program.
It has been our experience with the current instructor that you will have to read the books for yourself- lectures are not what you can base your studying on because they are not going to cover all the chapters in the lecture.Nursing school is about teaching yourself, but you can do it if you are a good student. For the theory course, (fundamentals) read the key points at the back of each chapter. Look over the bold sections and terminology of the chapter. Do the review questions at the end of the chapter- there are only 5-10... fairly easy, and definitely do the prep-U questions. This is the online component of your book. This will cut your study time down ALOT. I CANNOT stress enough how important it is to do the prep-U questions for EACH chapter that is going to be on whatever exam you are studying for. The people that did the prep-U questions faithfully (these are not assigned, just there as an extra study tool for you)- recieved A's in the class, and those who used prep-U hit and missed recieved B's- almost without fail. I got and A in the course, and missed very little questions on all of the tests combined. You probably will take very little notes for the theory class, just listen and study on your own.
For pharm, he will give you a handout that follows his power points exactly. There is nothing to print out for his class. Definitely record his lectures and listen to them. So you will not have to take notes, just fill in the blanks on his handout, and use those to study. I am happy to answer any other questions so don't hesitate to ask.
MPETRIDES1984
39 Posts
I am a 4th semester student at SJDC set to graduate in May, if you have any questions, let me know:) I also will be giving my uniforms away when I'm done (they are in excellent condition), and possibly some books! If you are interested let me know.