Stressed out!

[sassystudent]

Am sure you all have heard this a million times but I need to vent and ask for help. I'm non-traditional nursing student and am ready to finish the last 2 weeks of my 1st semester of my LPN year. I am currently getting a 79 which is a "C" I need 5 more points to even come close to a low "B" and 3 points in the opposite direction to be on probation *sigh*. I am extremely consistant with exams. I can study a great deal or very little (cram) and I ALWAYS end up with a 78-80% regardless of the material, or the amount of questions. I either KNOW the information, or I don't. There's very little gray area. Thing is the instructors attitude is "Its your responsibility to learn" and my reaction is...yes that's what I'm here for (I don't actually say it outloud) and that's not a very therapeutic attitude to have with your students in my opinion Dang, I just feel so frustrated. Things don't seem to be taught in an organized manner (maybe becuase there's so very much information to teach) but I'm just getting by here and am used to slammin things with a fair amount of ease. I love people and want to be a nurse so bad, but have I made the wrong choice here? Pharmacology is tough, I am not following as to whether or not there are classifications (groups that I can understand, other than just being made to do med cards which means little if you can't apply it to a real life situation. That's just one complaint I could go on for hours and you all don't have that kind of time and sadly neither do I lol. Sorry for the long winded thread, I'm just so very frustrated have I said that before??? Would be grateful for any bit of advice you can give.

[linzz]

Does your school have an academic counselling office? They may have study tips for you or you may even be able to get a tutor to help you organize your notes. Our pharmacology was divided up into body systems, ie. cardiac, excretory, etc. There are little tricks you can use such as lol is the suffix for a beta blocker which slows and strengthens the heart beat thus you will need to take a pulse before giving these drugs. The suffix pril, applies to drugs that lower your blood pressure. The best advice I can give is to review your notes each day, organize them by body system and try to find a good study guide. Best of luck.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Is there anyone you can study with? Sometimes finding a study buddy and teaching each other is a great way to reinforce what you already know, and zero in on what you need to focus on. I make study cards and keep them in my pockets wherever I go. If I am in line at the grocery store or waiting for a bus, I can take a few minutes to go over a few cards. I also draw diagrams. This was especially helpful in studying fluids and electrolytes and cardiac arrhythmias.

[sassystudent]

Thank you both for your thoughts. Yes my school does have a "learning center" it is brand new and I have been thinking about heading in there, you are right I should just do it. I also asked a friend who is very good at A & P and Terminology to help study with/tutor me for the comprehensive final in 2 weeks. I know what you're telling me is good advice and I guess I just needed a push in the right direction. Thanks so very much for taking the time out to respond!

[armybrat86]

Hi I completely understand how you feel. I was that way right before midterms. I went to my learning center on campus and starting going to a tutor and all my grades have improved signifigantly. The only advice I can offer besides the obvious is this, take a breath and rationalize what you should do next. Take everything one step at a time and before you know it you'll be 30 steps ahead. Just don't give up. If you love the thought of being a nurse, you will be ok. Find a TA if you can. I know on our campus the TAs usually are very helpful, more so than the professors.

[sassystudent]

I plan to take your advice and get to my learning center to see what help they can give me this next semester! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!

Donna