Starting school tips!

nlitened · Apr 16, 2015

Congrats! My best advice- find a Healthy way of coping with stress. Also, take one of those online quizzes about how you learn best...this will help with studying. But most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience!

2cooldeans · Apr 16, 2015

Iam starting school next month! Iam so excited and slightly terrified. I too would appreciate any advice on this journey.

virgo7598 · Apr 17, 2015

Congratulations! I'm finishing up my first semester of nursing school next month so I know all too well what you're about to go through.

Be be prepared for A LOT of work. Make sure your family/job/friends are aware of what you're going to be going through. Hopefully they'll be understanding. Make friends in class. I'm amazed at how quickly my class has bonded. You're definitely going to need their support. Make a good impression to your teachers. Don't be upset if you're not getting straight A's; nursing school is a whole other ballgame. Don't be upset if you feel like breaking down. We've all been there. You just need to pick yourself back up.

And most importantly. Don't give up!! You may want to in the beginning because of all the stress and work but it's all SO worth it.

cupcakeluver · Apr 17, 2015

I'm just finishing up second semester. So glad it's almost done. Everyone tells you how much work it's going to be, but you don't really understand it until you're in the middle of it. Yes, it's a lot. My advice is to stay super focused. Make sure that you are doing the best that you can from day one. Don't half-ass it. Start out strong and develop that strong foundation....because you will be expected to know it and expand on it the following semesters.

I would also recommend practicing questions in addition to your usual study routine. Learning how to tackle those question is a major component of nursing school. You can read about it all day long....you need to understand how to apply that knowledge to select the best answer. It also provides repetition of the information, which is helpful in retaining it. You can do questions with your kids running around and screaming in the background. You are still reviewing and exposing yourself to the material. It has definitely helped me to be successful.

I love school. It's super difficult sometimes. It's also super rewarding. Good luck!!!

Christinajoannne · Apr 17, 2015

My advice is organization. First, get the syllabus, find a calendar and jot everything down. Be able to know what's dued now, and what you should be preparing for later.

Next steps: the studying. It really depends on you. Everyone has different studying skills. For me, I listen to her lectures, follow the powerpoint with it, read the textbook and highlight. Depending on the class, I might re-read the chapters, 2-3 times. I do the questions at the end of the book, and I do the NCLEX-style questions on this thing called "prep-u" (Our school requires us to buy it and do it). Depending on the class, I may also, record the lectures, and relisten to them later. I realized later on in nursing school, that I'm a "computer" gal, (in comparison to a notebook and pen girl) so I have this MAC app called EverNote on my computer where I put all my notes in. It's nice and handy, and all my subjects are in a carriable package.

Find a place that is good for studying. That could be in a park, with a group of friends, a coffee shop or just in your bedroom. Like I said before, it varies with people, but do you find that you study better with people? with music? at night? or day?

Now, after all that is said and done, figure out great coping and relaxation techniques, all this study can make us wonky - so find something that you can do to make you just unwind. For me, I love watching youtube videos.

PapaBearRN, BSN · Apr 17, 2015

Stay on top of your reading if that's how you learn best. The 1st semester is usually the most difficult because everything is brand new and it's a different style of critical thinking than you're used to. As far as keeping sane goes, just know that it gets better. Everything starts to come around in a full circle, you feel confident in your skills, assessments, and your ability to prioritize. Also, you will make mistakes (make sure it isn't a med error) just don't make excuses or give reasons why you did what you did. Instructors don't wanna hear it. Just accept responsibility and say it will never happen again and make sure it doesn't. Oh and run for a class officer position, looks good on the rÃ©sumÃ©. Last but not least "relax" too many students walk around the clinical site so anxious that they end up making a mistake, usually a silly one. Always helps to remember that your patients are humans, as a student you will actually have time to spend with them. Get to know them, make a good impression. This way when it comes time for you to pass meds with your instructor you won't be so nervous because you have an ally (the patient) on your side.