Starting the RN Program in the Fall---stressed!

There are only two people that you need to prove it to, yourself and your instructor. The "haters" don't matter. As a non-traditional (older) student, if you can show maturity, be attentive to the teacher, not texting or facebook, and pull your fair share on group projects then I would have no problem with you. YOU GOT ACCEPTED ON YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT AT 18, WHAT MORE PROOF DO THEY WANT???

You want to show your instructors that you are a serious student. My advice is to sit front row center of the class (the quicker your instructors recognize your face and your name the better), turn off your cell phone, raise your hand to answer questions, ask questions, and be prepared for every class. Kick butt on the first test (that will give the instructor a good first impression of you and give you confidence). In other words, be a nerd .

Remember!! The most important person in your class is you. Don't let anybody else drag you down and affect your grades.

Please don't let anyone's snide comments psych you out before you even begin - if you were admitted to the program on your first try there is every chance that you have what it takes to be successful. You earned your seat fair and square like everyone else in your class, so there's no reason to believe you're not "smart enough" for the program. Don1984 gave some great advice above; it's all about learning everything you can from your instructors and pushing yourself as far as you can go, not proving to your classmates that you belong there. And don't assume that older student = more experienced. More life experience maybe, but about half of my class is >40 and many of them are coming into the program with no prior medical experience at all. Cheer up!

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to say : jrpt1994 please be and stay encouraged. Although its easier said than done, try not to let those people get to you. I'm sure they are just a little jealous since you're starting out early- they maybe thinking about what they were doing at your age, and might not have been so ambitious or on the right track as you are now. You're a young lady that knows what she wants, and is working towards it. You have your whole life ahead of you, and so many good things to look forward to. Congrats on getting accepted to your program on the first try... If you concern yourself too much about trying to prove yourself to others, you may trip yourself up in the process. Be you, be proud of you, your age and circumstances- I see so many "un-traditional" students applying to nursing programs and going back to school period. Just because your other classmates are older than you, doesn't necessarily make them any more or less experienced or knowledgeable than you are. Besides those same people hatin' on you, will probably end up asking YOU for help during the program.. I use my haters as fuel and motivation to achieve more and you should too!

I am on the opposite end of the spectrum, as an older (50) student, so I will probably face the same issues you mention here. The difference may be in how we handle it, because for me, what anyone else thinks doesn't matter one iota to me, unless it's one of my professors, of course! While going through my pre reqs last year, I took A & P II with several first year nursing students (I was taking it as a co req). I found that many of the younger ones were always talking about how hard the program was and that they would cry every day. But some of these same girls were talking about how they went to this or that party or had boyfriend issues, typical young person things which of course they have every right to participate in. However, as a nursing student, the course work may be tougher than any you have ever experienced, cramming sessions don't work anymore for studying, and your free time, or most of it, should be reserved for studying. (A couple of hours a day from what I have learned on here.) I don't think you will find that you are being singled out, in fact, you will probably have some people in nursing school who will be the best friends you have ever made! Just go into it with an open mind, be friendly, and relax. I am so excited to finally get this journey REALLY started after a couple years of pre reqs and co reqs. I wish I had done it at your age, so IMO, good for you!

Hey everyone! So sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you guys! Thanks so much for the words of encouragement! I am loving every second of nursing school right now, and have made some friends along the way! By the way, I did kick MAJOR butt on the first test. I made a 92, which was the highest grade in my class! I really think I showed that even though I am so young, that does not mean I am not intelligent. And what really matters is that I know that now about myself! I am so much more confident now than I was in July. My teachers are awesome, I love what I am learning about, and those students who were psyching me out in the beginning.. I don't have anything to do with them now. Thanks so much for the little push I needed!