studying on the go

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Hey. Many people know my story by now. I'm a little nervous about working nights, having classes, and spending time with my son. I know about flashcards. They work very well for me. Other than that does anybody have any tips or advice about time management and how to use it effectively? I'm asking for a audio recorder for christmas ( thanks wellthatsodd) so I can listen to lectures while cleaning or driving. How do you recommend I find time to read? My friend said the hospital I plan on working as a phlebotomist is pretty busy. Thanks in advance. :)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Mother-Baby and SCN.

Use your break on nights to read? Use any spare time you have to read. Always have your books with you. See if there are online versions of the book and have it with you on your phone so you can read in line in the grocery store etc. The audio idea is good.

You could also pay someone to record your books for you onto audio so you could listen to the books in addition to the lectures. This personally wouldn't work at all for me since I am not at all an auditory learner, but if you are then it would work great it seems.

Other ideas.. depending how old your son is, maybe you could set both of you up at the kitchen table and have him work on a workbook, colouring sheets etc while you read and studied? So you are still together but both doing things? This obviously is highly dependent on age and wouldn't work with many children.. but if your son is one who can be quite focused with something it could be an idea..

-If your son is too young for this, or too active, you will need to hire a babysitter/nanny. It is simply not possible to work nights, spend all the time you want with your son and study as well. You will need to make some sacrifices. By using your time effectively (like it looks like you are planning to!) you will be able to minimize the sacrifices but you have to accept you will have to make some. It will be worth it in the end if this is your goal :) Also use any nap/sleeping times if young enough for this for studying.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical care.

Spend the $30 to get the NCLEX RN Mastery app. It was recommended to me by a professor and most of us bought it. It's great for answering questions, it has mnemonics and small study aids/tips, etc. If you find yourself with 5 minutes of down time (maybe waiting in line, etc.) open it up and use that time to answer some questions :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Use your break on nights to read? Use any spare time you have to read. Always have your books with you. See if there are online versions of the book and have it with you on your phone so you can read in line in the grocery store etc. The audio idea is good.

You could also pay someone to record your books for you onto audio so you could listen to the books in addition to the lectures. This personally wouldn't work at all for me since I am not at all an auditory learner, but if you are then it would work great it seems.

Other ideas.. depending how old your son is, maybe you could set both of you up at the kitchen table and have him work on a workbook, colouring sheets etc while you read and studied? So you are still together but both doing things? This obviously is highly dependent on age and wouldn't work with many children.. but if your son is one who can be quite focused with something it could be an idea..

-If your son is too young for this, or too active, you will need to hire a babysitter/nanny. It is simply not possible to work nights, spend all the time you want with your son and study as well. You will need to make some sacrifices. By using your time effectively (like it looks like you are planning to!) you will be able to minimize the sacrifices but you have to accept you will have to make some. It will be worth it in the end if this is your goal :) Also use any nap/sleeping times if young enough for this for studying.

Good luck!

Thanks for the detailed advice. I'm nervous about this because I've never had so much responsibility at once since I'm a new mom and never worked nights. I didn't think about online versions of books. I'll ask a family member to record books on audio. Great idea! I'm a visual learner so with flashcards this may work. My son will be going on 7 months. Thanks for the luck:)

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Spend the $30 to get the NCLEX RN Mastery app. It was recommended to me by a professor and most of us bought it. It's great for answering questions it has mnemonics and small study aids/tips, etc. If you find yourself with 5 minutes of down time (maybe waiting in line, etc.) open it up and use that time to answer some questions :)[/quote']

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll get it when I can:)

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Mother-Baby and SCN.
Thanks for the detailed advice. I'm nervous about this because I've never had so much responsibility at once since I'm a new mom and never worked nights. I didn't think about online versions of books. I'll ask a family member to record books on audio. Great idea! I'm a visual learner so with flashcards this may work. My son will be going on 7 months. Thanks for the luck:)

You're welcome! It's only natural to be nervous in this scenario, I think as you get into it and "get your groove" you will feel better :)

Oh only 7 months, well in some ways that may be easier (more naps) but in other ways harder (when they are awake they can't very well go occupy themselves :p ) I think you will have to utilize babysitters/family/friends to really be able to concentrate on your studies, even if only for shorter periods if necessary.

You're welcome for the luck :) When do you start?

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You're welcome! It's only natural to be nervous in this scenario, I think as you get into it and "get your groove" you will feel better :)

Oh only 7 months, well in some ways that may be easier (more naps) but in other ways harder (when they are awake they can't very well go occupy themselves :p ) I think you will have to utilize babysitters/family/friends to really be able to concentrate on your studies, even if only for shorter periods if necessary.

You're welcome for the luck :) When do you start?

I start prerequisites January 6th. I'm going to transfer to chamberlain college nursing after completing the non nursing classes. My mom and sister plan on babysitting. He doesn't like sharing mommy's attention:madface: I had to take math college placement exam and he kept screaming while I reviewed Algebra 2 for dummies. Thats when I realized how hard mixing the 2 would be.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Mother-Baby and SCN.
I start prerequisites January 6th. I'm going to transfer to chamberlain college nursing after completing the non nursing classes. My mom and sister plan on babysitting. He doesn't like sharing mommy's attention:madface: I had to take math college placement exam and he kept screaming while I reviewed Algebra 2 for dummies. Thats when I realized how hard mixing the 2 would be.

Good luck! Great you have babysitters already lined up. Yes it would definitely be close to impossible with an awake 7 month old to get anything productive done studying wise!

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