I've seen lots of posts about how to "survive" or "get through" nursing school. These always make me sad, because I believe nursing school should be an experience you enjoy! Of course, it is not always fun to cram for exams or feel like you will never make it through your mountains of homework. I was only a week into the program when I had my first "what have I done?!" moment :) That being said, it is possible to make the most out of nursing school and genuinely enjoy the process! When I think of how far my classmates and I have come after one semester, I am greatly encouraged and so excited to see how we progress in the next year and a half.
Nursing school is a constant learning experience, but I wanted to share with you some of strategies I have found helpful! I would love to hear any suggestions you have for making the most out of your nursing journey!
Tip # 1: Ask for help
I found this really hard at first, but I realized it is absolutely essential in order to make it through classes. Professors LOVE when you take the time to ask them questions and show a genuine interest in learning. Having a good relationship with your professors will make your college experience far easier and much more enjoyable! I have been so blessed to have professors willing to make the time to work with me outside of our normal class periods. Often I learn much more from working in small groups with them than in the classroom setting! Tutoring is also an invaluable experience. Finding tutors who have already taken the class is ideal, but even studying with fellow classmates who are more comfortable with the material than you are can be very helpful. And let's be honest, it's much more motivating to study with others than by yourself!
Tip #2: Find a group of friends and study partners
One of the first things I was told at orientation was that you absolutely CANNOT make it through nursing school by yourself. My fellow nursing students bring me so much joy. This JK Rowling quote sums it up perfectly: “There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other...” Nursing school is definitely one of them! Get to know other people in your clinical group. The other people in my clinical group make nursing school so much fun. We laugh, cry, study, and eventually pass with each other, and it couldn't be more rewarding! You are going to be doing literally everything together, so it definitely helps if you get along 😉
Tip #3: Get on a good sleep schedule, and try to stick with it!
Trust me, I know this is SO much easier said than done, but I promise it is worth it. Not every schedule is right for everybody; I have tried a lot, and I feel like my sleep needs change all the time. My personal preference is to go to bed early and get up early! Sleeping from 9-5 is my goal, and I try to stay as close to that as I can. Eight hours of sleep isn't always realistic, but I function so much more efficiently during the day when I am well rested.
Tip #4: Break up your study time
Studying material for hours on end is just going to bog you down and make you feel miserable. Breaking up your study sessions is so important. Set yourself a certain amount of time for each subject, and then move on. Make sure you are getting up and moving around, even if it is just to grab a snack or get a drink of water.
Tip #5: Take the time to refuel!
Skipping breakfast or lunch is never a good idea. Use those dining dollars or pack a lunch so you make sure you are fueling your body for long clinical shifts and study sessions! I love days when I can prep breakfast ahead. Overnight oat and yogurt parfaits are one of my favorite breakfasts. I also enjoy making oatmeal muffin cups with pumpkin or blueberries. You'll quickly find out that nursing students love to eat. Lunchtime may be the favorite part of our clinical days! Drinking water is another thing that is easy to forget. I've found that it is helpful to bring a water bottle with me and make it a goal to refill it at least a couple times a day. As a nurse it is especially important to take the time to take care of yourself so you can take care of other people!
Tip #6: Learn how YOU Learn
Find study strategies that work for you. Just because a study tool works for one student doesn't mean it will work for everybody. Flashcards, handwritten notes, study guides, Quizlet...there are so many options out there, so take the time to find out what helps you the most in processing the material. It's always good to ask your professors what study tools they recommend to use for their specific classes.
Tip #7: Stay engaged during lectures
I know this is often hard to do, but it is so important. If you are allowed to pick your seat at the beginning of the semester, figure out where you can best sit and be the most engaged. For some that may be at the very front of the classroom, and for others it may be near the back. Personally, I like to sit in the back near where the other professors sit so I can ask them questions over break. It can be hard to focus for my three hour lectures, but I like to switch between taking handwritten notes, following along in my textbook, and typing up online flashcards.
Tip #8: Eliminate Distractions
And, yes, that may even mean shutting off your phone or putting it in a completely different room. It is way too easy to get sucked into checking your Facebook or Instagram accounts and becoming totally derailed from your studies. I enjoy taking study breaks to check my messages and send an email or text, but I always set myself a time limit so I make sure I get back to work.
Tip #9: Take the time to RELAX and do something you love
When thinking back over last semester and trying to come up with good studying and stress management strategies, one of the most helpful things for me has been completely stepping away from school for a while and doing something I love. Baking and cooking is such a stress reliever for me!! My family loves it, and it makes me happy to look up and follow a recipe and have it come out just right. Baking is not nearly as complicated as pharmacology! If you are a student with me this semester, find something you love to do! I promise it will be worth it. The homework will still get done, and you will feel so much better.
Tip #10: Take the time to reevaluate your priorities
This is the hardest one for me! Balancing my time between work, school, church, and family is not easy. I am the kind of person who would love to do absolutely everything, but I've realized that is totally unrealistic right now. Schoolwork is very important to me, but I also have nights where I've realized that it is much more valuable for me to sit down and read some nursery rhymes to the twins, snuggle Owen, go to Aidan or Connor's basketball games, or paint my nails with Shaila instead of cramming in more studying. Life goes by so fast, and I'd rather take the time to be present and engaged, even if it means an occasional rough exam grade or a B instead of an A!
I hope these tips are helpful! Let me now what you have learned through your college experience...
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