1st semester expectations

BahSun · Jul 25, 2014

I also start in late August! No longer a pre-nursing student...I'm so nervous and excited!

I'm doing 6 courses this Fall and starting with a 3.33 gpa...my goal is to gradually make it up to a 3.5 & above.

I've heard stories that the prof of my pharmacology course is really tough and most students drop the course after the midterm. Too bad I didn't know this before I registered with her! Aaah.

I got my textbooks on my iPad a week ago. I'll have about a month to get a head start with reading. I'm determined to beat procrastination and study my butt off. I don't know what to expect overall with clinicals but I'm ready for whatever.

Good luck to all!

augurey · Jul 26, 2014

I start Sept 2nd, and I'm absolutely terrified (excited, but terrified). I won't have my books until orientation on Aug 28th. I've really taken it to heart about how hard this is going to be. I've been doing everything in my power to prepare myself for this.

I'm quitting my job so that I can dedicate my time to this (I know I'd unlikely succeed if I tried to both - wouldn't be enough hours in the day). We're going to be living off 1 (very low) income & are trying to find a way to afford to send our daughter to daycare for a few hours during the day so I can study / do homework. Otherwise I really need to figure out good time management real quick before classes start.

I have too much riding on this which makes it a little more terrifying.

Good luck to everyone just starting!

laKrugRN · Jul 26, 2014

Don't just study to pass exams and the forget it. Retain it! Learn it, know it! Because it's how you will save lives someday as an RN! :)

vulsker · Jul 26, 2014

I am right here with you all. I start next month and I am excited to get started but nervous as well. The major test for me is making sure I am well organized and creating a good study plan.

Diving · Jul 26, 2014

New grad here. I'm not that for removed from the experience. Prepare to spend much time not only studying the content, but learning nursing's approach to questions and the general mindset of the tests. That will be key in your success.

RunBabyRN · Jul 26, 2014

I think it's more the initial shock and the volume of work and knowledge that overwhelmed me most. You can prepare as much as humanly possible, but until you're there, you just can't know what to expect. Be open, eyes and ears open, pen and paper in hand! :)

nubp · Jul 26, 2014

I don't start assessment and pharm until next summer, and i already want to barf I'm so nervous and excited! Good luck to you gals:)

augurey · Jul 26, 2014

I think it's more the initial shock and the volume of work and knowledge that overwhelmed me most. You can prepare as much as humanly possible, but until you're there, you just can't know what to expect. Be open, eyes and ears open, pen and paper in hand! :)

That's very true that you can only prepare so much. I feel like I'm at the point where I want to stop reading about how hard it is because I feel like I'm starting to doubt myself, and I feel like that's just the wrong way to start.

How long did it take for you adjust?

RunBabyRN · Jul 26, 2014

That's very true that you can only prepare so much. I feel like I'm at the point where I want to stop reading about how hard it is because I feel like I'm starting to doubt myself, and I feel like that's just the wrong way to start.
How long did it take for you adjust?

Graduation. LOL It's constantly changing. It just becomes your new normal.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2014

New grad here. I'm not that for removed from the experience. Prepare to spend much time not only studying the content, but learning nursing's approach to questions and the general mindset of the tests. That will be key in your success.

Yup. :yes:

sparky605 · Jul 27, 2014

That's very true that you can only prepare so much. I feel like I'm at the point where I want to stop reading about how hard it is because I feel like I'm starting to doubt myself, and I feel like that's just the wrong way to start.
How long did it take for you adjust?

Don't let the "it's so hard" hype shake your confidence. It is hard for most people but most people also pass. Keep your head full of positive thoughts- you'll do fine :)

The hardest thing for me was saying goodbye to my 4.0 and making peace with the fact that I am ok with that.

As for adjustment- you need to stay flexible the whole way through.

nandosport · Jul 27, 2014

I don't start assessment and pharm until next summer, and i already want to barf I'm so nervous and excited! Good luck to you gals:)

Those are the two classes I'm happily excited about crushing! I feel like barfing when I think about our clinicals that start at the end of September.