Tips for succeeding?

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Hello everyone! This is my first post. I am currently a nursing major at a very popular university in PA. I just wrapped up my first yr. Sadly,I am not doing as well as I hoped. My school requires an overall 3.0 and I'm around the 2.7 range. I took my first science pre req this semester(Microbio) and finshed with a C+(80). Very disappointing.I would do terrible on tests. I study,take notes,and even attend another class (teacher has two seperate lectures back to back). I currently work around 25 hrs a wk.I know this is alot but I have no other support system as far a finances go. Over the summer I plan on getting my cna license to get used to working in a hospital setting. It pains me to realize that Im so close yet so far! My advisor recommended changing my major,but this has been my dream for the longest and I dont want to give up.There are people with 3.5 and above doing the same things as me(am I missing something?!) I know next yr will be even more challenging as far as courseload is concerned. Does anyone have any tips or advice for why I'm not making the grade requirements? I was considering transferring,maybe for a better chance and fresh start...

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I haven't started yet, so I don't have any tips to give. But I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Is it possible that the science classes aren't as much your thing as the clinicals will be? I've had many nurses tell me that they struggled in science, but did fine in their other classes.

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thanks for the reply. Yes,thats what i think the problem is(difficulty in class but eould enjoy clincal experience). I actually enjoy what I am learning,however when it comes to test taking I just can't seem to put my ideas together. I just have a fear that i am "wasting time."

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My tip is this: Change your attitude.

If you think it is a waste of time, of course it can't be processed in your head during a test. Tell yourself that it isn't a waste of time, knowledge is power. You need knowledge to know how to do it in a clinical setting. Remind yourself this is your future! Good luck. :)

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Specializes in ED, Medicine, Case Management.

If nursing is something that you truly want to pursue, then put yourself in the best position to succeed. If your GPA is a 2.7, it sounds as if you are struggling in more than just science. Are you studying as much as you should be? Are you utilizing your school's tutoring facilities? Are you getting help from the instructors? Are you participating in study groups? You need to be really honest with yourself as to your weaknesses, then meet with one of the counselors to determine how to address them and move forward.

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It's also possible that you have issues with test-taking. There are many, many people who do poorly on tests, even when they have studied hard and know the material. Talk to someone at your school. You should have a resource who can help you with study tips, test-taking strategies, etc. Some people even have the ability to take tests in different ways than the rest of the class, due to a learning disability. I'm not saying that's necessarily the problem, but if you really want this, I would check out every avenue.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, barnesn8:

Popular schools are not always the best schools. Even so, did you use the tutoring center if your school has one? Did you seek out your professor's help early on? If the answers are no, then that's a lesson to learn for the next time... i.e. seek help out extremely early.

Microbiology is among the more difficult science prerequisites; it is typically recommended to take AP1, and even AP2 prior to microbiology so there's a stronger foundation for the class.

In terms of tips, 1) I've found https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html to help with ever single class.

2) I've learned to treat all science with lab classes as two separate three credit classes (rather than one four credit class) for determining how much study time is necessary.

3) Do your best to participate in every single class. It helps validate correct information, and helps quickly get rid of bad information (that you don't want sticking in your head).

4) Seek help early, and often. The moment you get a bad quiz or test score, THEN ask to see the professor, seek tutoring, etc.

5) If your school has a learning center, use it. Even if you have all A's, use it.

6) Be, or learn to be, flexible in how you study. Keep to your schedule, but you may find that for some classes you need to learn by touch, others by visual, others by auditory, etc. Sometimes the way you learn best will vary by unit/section within a particular class; adapt to switching things up.

7) Learn to love every subject you are taking. When possibly, always dig deeper into it. Share what you learn with classmates.

Thank you.

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I do agree;a 2.7 is low in all subjects. I dont study for all classes on a daily basis (time constraint),but I ceetainly won't cram and make sure I am aware of materials 1-2 before the actual test. I do beleieve my poor grades are coming from my inabilty to study.Im a little shy but maybe I should start using the school's resources!

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I do agree;a 2.7 is low in all subjects. I dont study for all classes on a daily basis (time constraint),but I ceetainly won't cram and make sure I am aware of materials 1-2 before the actual test. I do beleieve my poor grades are coming from my inabilty to study.Im a little shy but maybe I should start using the school's resources!

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I'm sorry if I came off in a harsh mannor,but I don't look at nursing school as a waste of time. I actully enjoyed my first yr and learned a lot of things in my classes. I just don't want to find out nursing isn't for me once I sit down and take the nclex.Maybe I should find new ways to study ,or even study more. It just seems so hard to fit it in. I have learned valuable lessions about myself in and out the classroom and hopefully these can be fixed next yr.

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Specializes in ED, Medicine, Case Management.

If you are unable to make time to study, you will probably need to address that. I do not know what the rest of your schedule is, but if you are only working 25 hours per week, that should leave plenty of time for you to to go to classes and study daily or at least almost daily. Set your priorities and then stick with them. This is a temporary time in your life and it will pay off in the end. Good luck!

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, barnesn8:

School resources can be a fantastic help. I recommend you see if they can help you to determine your learning type; and then you can adjust the way you study accordingly. I'm an introvert; and I can be shy under stress. While it was hard for me to start participating in classes, I found the more I tried to participate, the easier it came.. and for the most part the shyness went away.

You mentioned you know you don't put in the study time. Are there things you can change so you can put in the study time? Is your study time focused? Uninterrupted? Do you test yourself by doing any form of chapter review, chapter quiz, online quiz?

If you are not sure nursing is for you, then see if you can shadow a nurse for a day; a number of hospitals do have shadow programs available; check with your school to see if they can help you.

Thank you.

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