Tips for Surviving the 1st Semester of Nursing School
So you completed your prerequisites, submitted your application, aced the interview and got your official acceptance letter then it hits you like a Mack Truck; the first semester of nursing school. This article gives new nursing students tips on how to survive the first semester of nursing school and make it out unscathed.
I can't believe I made it through finals week and my first semester of nursing school is done. I was totally exhausted with several days of 3 hours of sleep and 5 straight exams. Anyways I'm like a straight B student, that's not bad considering I have a family and lots of distractions at home...for me that not where I usually am, so I wanted to offer up some tips on how to survive the first semester of nursing school.
1. READ your books.
This is probably the most annoying thing especially for those like me who learn visually or auditory, so I ended up having to rewrite my notes ( because highlighting does not work for me), and reading out loud.
2. Buy an NCLEX book and start using it now!
Some might not like this idea, but nursing questions suck because all the answers are viable and getting an NCLEX book in your first semester will help you get past the shock phase of those crazy critical thinking questions for those who are more fact-based learners like myself.
3. Be outspoken.
I think it's no secret by now that almost all nursing instructors highly favor students who are extroverts and who talk a lot. Being an introvert did not help me out much. My clinical instructors said I'm too shy to be a nurse when I really have no problem talking in front crowds, I'm just quiet and that's how God made me. If you are quiet like me, make it a point to be extra loud and outspoken especially to your clinical instructor and always volunteer to be the first to try new skills...just trust me on this.
4. Get a good calendar.
Be it an online calendar or old fashioned one, it is needed cause you won't be able to remember all the dates and commitment you have for assignment deadlines.
5. Start projects early.
Go into each class schedule on the first day of class and find all your big papers and start drafting them. Do a little each week so you won't be overwhelmed especially with the time-consuming task of finding evidence-based research.
6. Nursing students Don't get sick.
Ok apparently nursing students are not allowed to get sick, I had a long sick weekend and missed a few assignment deadlines one week and missed 1 day of class for being sick...next thing I'm being called into the nursing office as they question my motives for being a nurse. Anyways...as long as you not in a casket...drag yourself to school, it's better for them to send you home than to call in sick.
7. Say goodbye to life as you know it.
The boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband, dog, cat and pet rats will need to understand that you are in nursing school. This means you basically don't have a life and won't be seeing much of them...ok they won't understand but they will try to. Just be patient with the transition of the school life, it is not easy and many relationships do not survive this test.
Finally good luck to those who will be entering their first semester in summer and Fall. I know it's an exciting time. Got some tips of your own? Please add them to this post, I need all the help I can get as I move into semester 2.
And also when it's time for a final all you need to do is gather all your notes together . I have 2 bins at home full of notes . Filled with power points and loose leaf . If your teacher provides powerpoints take notes on that . Use anything they give you because majority of the time what they emphasize in class will help you understand the information you need to know .
#1 tip: Self care, it's easy to neglect your body in the middle of keeping up with studying. Make sure you're getting adequate sleep, eating well and exercising regularly!
I know this is an old thread, but I am only 2 weeks in and I'm STRUGGLING!!!!!! This east coast winter weather is definitely not helping! I try to read and do these assignments everyday. I feel like I've hit a wall and the material is not sticking. We started off with no books in the bookstore and told to use prepared slides. That was NO HELP! So it's been a little trying to play catchup. I've failed 3 quizzes and passed 1 (we will have then daily). We've had 2 lecture classes, during which she read PowerPoint slides. I feel like I am being told to teach myself these chapters, then im tested on it. Without real explanation of what I'm supposed to be learning. Is this normal??
I get that it was gonna be difficult but i didn't expect this. I don't even know how to study. The material seems like mostly common sense at the stage, but the questions jus don't match up. I'm having a hard time relating what I'm reading, to the way the questions are asked. I've quit my job to focus on school. I've read every comment here in hopes I'll find something that helps me. I just hope I find my nitch before I fail. If we fail this first fundamentals class (less than a B) we are told to reapply. That scares me, badly!!
Hello, I still follow this post, and I'm most worried about people who say nursing school is easy and they arent struggling.
Getting books early will definitely help, maybe you can find them on amazon. The initial struggle with questions not matching up content maybe typical because 1st semester they try to teach you critical thinking. Teaching styles from instructor vary and yes some dont teach and you are expected to teach yourself. Go over your slides with the text, if not I use to find nursing videos about topics on my slides. I also recommend getting REVIEWS AND RATIONALES Fundamentals of Nursing, read corresponding topics and do the practice questions. Doing lots of questions is best, then you will start passing quizzes. Watch some videos explaining Maslows hierarchy of needs, this is the foundation of nursing prioritizations and key to getting questions right
missnurse792
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And also when it's time for a final all you need to do is gather all your notes together . I have 2 bins at home full of notes . Filled with power points and loose leaf . If your teacher provides powerpoints take notes on that . Use anything they give you because majority of the time what they emphasize in class will help you understand the information you need to know .