What Can't You Live Without?

Nursing Students General Students

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This one is for current and former nursing students.

I'm preparing to start nursing school and want to know the things that helped you make it through nursing school. It could be anything - books, websites, supplements, equipment, music, study habits/strategies. I have my mind set for success, and would love some tips to help make it happen!

Specializes in CTICU.

Oh man. My fundamentals clinical group. We have been eachother's rocks and I would not be doing so well without them. My cats are there to listen to me cry when I get home. My boyfriend gives me a hard time for being too tired/studying all the time, but he's been a great support even with the stress. My sister has been tremendously supportive, and my baby nephew is a good reason to want to succeed and be a good role model

Also: Valerian root tea and St. John's Wort

Lastly, thinking about how far I've already gotten, how long I've been working towards this and how long I've wanted it. Thinking about my goals and ambitions as a clinician. Dream on, nurses to be!

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

Really good coffee (#1), really good beer/ale (microbrews, imports), a sense of humor, and ... oh wait, you were asking for a more serious answer. (Well actually, all of the above IS a serious answer - but -

We did do some study groups on the harder classes, and they did help. I read all of the textbooks that I could, but didn't have time to read them all. Learn as much as you can in your labs, simulations, clinicals ... everything. Be a sponge!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

Coffee, with good creamer. (Currently using a coconut creamer that's amazing)

Friends! Those in nursing school and outside of school.

Organization tools! Planner, school supplies, etc.

I love flash cards, so you could say I can't live without 3x5 index cards.

Reliable, flexible childcare.

Energy drinks. All the time.

Amazon.

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Definitely nursing school friends and an awesome study group! Would also add time to exercise because it'll decrease your stress and make you feel good about taking care of yourself. One thing I see a lot on these boards is people who feel like there is no time to exercise when you're in school. There is, you just gotta organize and manage your time. In my final year of nursing school, I trained for a marathon. I ran it and graduated valedictorian. So it can be done.

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Specializes in ED, psych.

I second Amazon. Love me some Amazon Prime.

Family and friends.

Also seconding EXERCISE. Nursing school is stressful, and it's way too easy to just try to hit the books all the live long day. No no no no no! Find something you enjoy doing and do it. I enjoy running. Hiking with my kids and dogs. Also do yoga and Pilates. Any of it makes me 100x more focused for school. As Nike says, "just do it!"

Definitely a sense of humor. Sometimes you just have to laugh -- way better than crying.

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Number 1 definitely coffee, a good place to study at I prefer either the library at school or have a couple of coffee shops that I practically live at. My planner, and while studying I have found that listening to classical music helps me with focusing (provides enough background noise without being distracting).

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1. Coffee

2. My significant other

3. My nursing major friends

4. Practice NCLEX questions

5. My computer

6. Saying "only 2 more years" all the time

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Thanks for all the great answers, y'all. It's nice to hear from those have been through it. Cheers!

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A good mentor.

Coffee and wine - at different times obviously.

No study group for me - I can't study in a group. But to each their own.

Exercise, definitely. I walked the track at the college every day.

I was only in school when my kids were in school as I went back to school for a 2nd career when my youngest was in 1st grade. I am grateful for my mom living with us for awhile because she could pick up the kids and she also cleaned my house and made dinner.

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Walking is already a stress-reliever for me - I love it! Thanks for the tips; I will be attending nursing school a little later in life like you did.

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Amazon Prime

My planner

My computer

Practicing NCLEX styles questions

A Facebook group I created for my cohort

AllNurses

Kickstart

My phone

Almost done with my 2nd semester! Halfway through, it's been flying by.

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Red Bull and The XX's Intro. It helped through those long study sessions.

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