So overwhelmed!

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I'm starting the first semester (out of five) of our nursing program in two weeks... And man, I'm overwhelmed!

Only three of my six classes have posted their syllabi, but the amount of content is insane! Many instructors are requesting we read/fill out multiple things before the first day of school (To be expected Im sure) I'm starting to put everything in my planner, and it's beginning to seem impossible.

I'm a very organized and proactive person.... But this just seems like so much...

Any advice for those of us feeling this way? [emoji16]

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel your "pain" as I'm in the same boat. What I've been doing with my planner is color coding entries so I can stay on top

of what is due and for what class. Being in front of the readings also should help. That way, any questions on the content can be cleared up during class. Print out power points (if possible) before class. Lastly, don't expect to have everything mapped out the first few weeks, expect some errors and good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yep I think that was the toughest part about nursing school. The content wasn't hard really but the sheer volume was overwhelming.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You'll never read everything assigned EVER. That was hard for me because my main learning style is reading comprehension. Figure out which class really relies on the text readings and read those. You will have classes professors that never refer to the book and only use their Power Points. Once you get to school ask other students. You will encounter those students who claim to read everything, retype notes, etc. Stay away from them. Know your learning style and what works for you and do it well. What works for someone else might not work for you. Time will become precious and you don't want to waste it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I feel your "pain" as I'm in the same boat. What I've been doing with my planner is color coding entries so I can stay on top

of what is due and for what class. Being in front of the readings also should help. That way, any questions on the content can be cleared up during class. Print out power points (if possible) before class. Lastly, don't expect to have everything mapped out the first few weeks, expect some errors and good luck!

That's what I've been doing too! I've filled out my planner with color coding as much as I can. I am a bit of a control freak, so not being able to map out absolutely everything kills me ;)

Unfortunately I just had surgery, so getting ahead on the readings isn't really possible for me right now :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yep I think that was the toughest part about nursing school. The content wasn't hard really but the sheer volume was overwhelming.

That's what many people say. I'm scared I'll struggle with the volume and the content, lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You'll never read everything assigned EVER. That was hard for me because my main learning style is reading comprehension. Figure out which class really relies on the text readings and read those. You will have classes professors that never refer to the book and only use their Power Points. Once you get to school ask other students. You will encounter those students who claim to read everything, retype notes, etc. Stay away from them. Know your learning style and what works for you and do it well. What works for someone else might not work for you. Time will become precious and you don't want to waste it.

I'm the same way! I've always been the one to do all the readings. But this is insane. My professors all claim to use the book and the power points. But I guess we'll see how true that is!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Learning Styles - How Do I Use Them To Do Better In Nursing School at

is a good youtube video to watch; she also has several videos on test taking that I've found helpful. While I did put everything (and still do) in my planner system (Sunrise calendar and Evernote with Evernote reminders), I try to focus on the lesson objectives (for me, this was especially helpful for almost every semester to date with the exception of only two classes). That limits the reading. You'll find out shortly which professors go mainly off PowerPoint, Podcast (if any), and lecture (which cuts down on book reading), and which professors use any content (whether you got to it or not). For the latter, if you want to avoid being forced to read everything, do NCLEX questions on the material (which is always good to do) to see what areas you are short on (always review all rationales); then focus on the areas of short coming.
Up Vote Up Vote ×

The moment you get your syllabi posted it's totally normal to feel a little panicky!! I do each semester!! It helped me a lot last semester to prioritize out of order haha. Like I chose which projects were able to be done the easiest and soonest for me even if it wasn't due until after some other assignments I still got it completed and out of the way. On my busiest and most tired days out of the week I picked assignments that were easier and not as important but I never just didn't do something.

I know ppl say you don't have to and shouldn't read every page but for my assessment class I ended up needing to read every pg, though because I guess the teacher just picked test questions based on that more. I rarely studied from or used the power points.

In my medsurg class next semester, I started reading the book as we were told to do but I've skipped some. When you take the practice quizzes though for each chapter, you can go back to what you missed plus practice the questions so it saves time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I like to break down course content into sections and then look over it so I don't spaz because that's my first instinct whenever I see my syllabus lol. I like lists so when I can break it up and see what blocks will require more reading, more study time, I feel it's more manageable and I have a plan for the class content before the first day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I like to break down course content into sections and then look over it so I don't spaz because that's my first instinct whenever I see my syllabus lol. I like lists so when I can break it up and see what blocks will require more reading, more study time, I feel it's more manageable and I have a plan for the class content before the first day.

This is exactly what I do...I break it into chunks for exams, reading for preparing for class, assignments, etc. if you don't you will go crazy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm a very organized and proactive person.... But this just seems like so much... [emoji16]

I felt this same way when I started my BSN program! The anxiety goes away, and eventually you will realize that everything were are worrying about wasn't the end of the world.

I freaked out about everything! Not having classes posted, not having the right book, feeling like I wouldn't be a good student, etc. Everything sorts itself out in the first two weeks. What you are feeling is completely normal, and it is exactly what ALL of my cohorts felt when we started.

A little anxiousness never hurt anybody, and it is good to keep you on your toes. But try” not stressing over it! Very little you do in the first two weeks will get you kicked out ;)

And congrats on making being accepted!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment