This semester is kicking my butt

[twss2323]

Anyone else feel like this? I'm a second semester student and I feel like I'm barely staying afloat. My grades are all fine, it's just time wise and stress wise is where I am struggling. I thought last semester was bad, it was 1st semester and we had 7 classes. It was overwhelming at first, but I found my groove and did just fine. I was even able to take Saturdays off as "me" days. No work, no homework, just relax, spend time with friends and catch up on minor household chores (i.e. laundry).

This semester, I have 4 classes. I thought I'd be much better off, with almost half the amount of classes. Wrong. Its half the classes but twice the work. I have Med Surg I, Med Surg clinical (the classes are separate with separate assignments and everything), research writing, and gerontology. I have a paper of some sort due every week for the writing class, gerontology also has A LOT of writing assignment (as a plus, I'm becoming a master at APA format haha), care plans and clinical paperwork that take up quite some time each week for clinical, and then Med Surg is obviously a lot of reading and learning.

Everyday I have either school, work, or homework-- or a combination of things. On the days I decide to take a break, I just stress about what I am putting off. It's killing me. I'm counting down days until Spring break and summer. I've shed plenty of tears r/t anxiety and stress over the past couple of months. It sucks. I am a "traditional" student and don't have a family and kids to deal with and I only work 15-20 hours a week. Kudos to all of you who do more because with all I'm doing, I feel like I'm ready to burst.

Nonetheless, I know it will be worth it in the end. I step back sometimes and realize how much I have learned in the past 6 months of my life and its incredible. This is just one of those moments of stress (verrryyy full planner this week with a big exam coming up on Monday) and I wanted to vent. I know we're all in the same boat.. We CAN do this, I just need encouragement and reinforcement in those thoughts sometimes.

[sjalv]

I definitely feel this way. Somehow I made it past midterm (if you don't have at laest a 66.6% you get kicked out) and I feel like I'm struggling to stay afloat. We have 6 more tests + a final before the end of the semester, and my average right now is a 71%. We need a 74.9 to be considered passing. I'm in Pediatrics right now but will switch to OB/L&D in April. I know I will pass because there isn't any other option to me, but it's still stressful. We will make it work.

[RunBabyRN]

I think a lot of us feel that way sometimes. Last week was that way- every single morning and evening I had something going on except for Wednesday evening, which I intentionally spent with my family. I had class or preceptorship every single (other) evening, and homework or important errands (like spending the morning at the DMV, reading my textbooks) every morning. I've felt overwhelmed more than once every single semester, but I have, in general, learned over these past few semesters how to manage my time and my assignments to keep from getting TOO overwhelmed (last week was one exception). Grades have managed to stay good, but my sanity has had its ups and downs, and my running schedule and housekeeping have taken a major nosedive. Don't even ask about a social life. That said, I'm thisclose to graduation (TWO MONTHS!!!!!!), and I'm holding onto that with everything in me!

Stay strong, know you're not alone, and remember why you're doing this!!

[BusiestBSN]

Word.

I need my spring break to get here STAT.

[VAgirl247]

I'm failing two of my classes. I'm busting my butt from reading everything, rereading, nclex style questions the whole thing. Finally my dad said if I had to retake a class it was no big deal just to have a goal for myself. I then had a come to Jesus meeting with myself. I'm giving it my all. I think it helps that my dad is understanding if I need to retake something it is fine (since he's helping me with school financially I was flipping out). Thankfully my dad is understanding and I am trying to change my study habits. I need extra visuals so I'm changing everything into visual aids of some sort. That way I can grasp the bigger picture of everything better.