5 answers
6
Asked 384 views

How do I maintain a school-life balance in a Nursing Program ?

I am interested to learn helpful study habits and how to not spend your whole day studying! I am so excited for nursing school, but I don't want to lose time for myself.

nursing fall25
Answer This
6

5 answers

0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Yvette’s Answer

Develop a self care routine it can be 15 mins of yoga and 15 mins of Journaling. The habits you Develop in school will be the same habits you revert to after graduating. Remember you are a whole human being and you must take care of all of you. Finding balance to Care for yourself can seem hard but it's not, because you are worth it. Sleep, drink water, avoid energy drinks, go pee when you need to and enjoy the journey and the experience.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Maureen’s Answer

Grace congratulations on nursing school.

Studying new lecture notes after each lecture would be my go to as you can revise them when they're fresh in your mind. Keep up with your readings, be prepared for class ahead of time. Don't leave reading for just before your exam. I would work with a study group for areas you find difficult like the sciences (anatomy and physiology) or math classes. Other students may bring helpful tips/tricks (mnemonic devices).

Unfortunately, there is a load of studying in nursing school. Remember, it's four years of your life. Keep your nursing course hours to what you can handle (don't take on 18 credit hours if you have a job or other things to occupy your time). Your grade point average is important; grades matter.

Yvette is right. Find time for self care: exercise, music, a hobby, reading for fun can still be your go to.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Martin’s Answer

While tough, it can be very doable if you remember 1 thing. MAKE time for yourself that is not nursing. If you play sports, keep them up! If you have a favorite TV show, watch it. Figure out a schedule that includes study time and time for YOU.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Wong’s Answer

Hi Grace. Nursing programs are exciting and rewarding, but they can also be very busy and stressful at times. Thus, you need to stay organized. Nursing school comes with lots of assignments, exams, and schedules to keep track of. Using a planner or calendar (even one on your phone) will really help. Write down due dates and plan your week ahead of time. Instead of waiting until the last minute, try breaking big projects or study topics into smaller chunks. For example, focus on studying one chapter a day instead of trying to cover five at once. This will help you stay on top of your work without feeling overwhelmed.

Next, you need to build smart study habits. You don't need to study all day to do well, you just need to study effectively. Try using active learning techniques like flashcards, practice quizzes, or explaining what you learned to a friend. These methods help you remember information better than just rereading notes.

Don't forget to take care of yourself. Nursing school can be stressful, so make time for sleep, exercise, and relaxation. It's also important to make time for things you enjoy, whether it's watching a show, spending time with friends, or going for a walk. Taking even 30 minutes a day for yourself can help prevent burnout and keep you motivated.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Char’s Answer

Hi Grace,

Congratulations! Nursing school is exciting but will take a lot of your time. You'll have to take several classes on campus each semester/quarter while also training at a hospital 1-2 times a week (called "clinicals"). And of course you'll also have to have time to study. For me, I also worked a part time job as a CNA throughout my entire nursing program. Even through all of that, I still managed to have time for a personal life, but because I was so busy, most of my fully-free days were during the summer months when I had a break from school. I worked every weekend so I could have the weekdays dedicated to school and study.

Here's an example of a typical week for me during nursing school:
○Monday: Classes 9am-3pm. Self-study on campus 4pm-7pm
○Tuesday: Clinicals 7am-1pm. Self-study at home 3pm-9pm
○Wednesday: Classes 9am-3pm. Group-study on campus with peers 4pm-8pm
○Thursday: Clinicals 7am-1pm. Self-study at home 3pm-9pm
○Friday: Self-study at home most of the day. Personal time at night (sometimes)
○Saturday: Personal time during the day. Work 3pm-11pm
○Sunday: Personal time during the day. Work 3pm-11pm

During midterm and final exam weeks, I didn't have a personal life at all though. During those weeks, I'd also study in the morning and afternoon before work, but that was only 2 weeks each semester/quarter. Another thing, on my long study days, I took breaks throughout the day to let the information marinate in my brain. For example, if I studied all day Friday, I would take a couple 1-2 hour breaks in between, giving me just enough time to do something for myself.

Everybody's nursing school journey is different. Some of my peers didn't have to work, so they had more free time. Others were married with children, so they were even busier. One thing for sure, nursing school is very much doable! It just takes self-discipline and a lot of dedication. Your peers (also called your "cohort") become your friends and support system along the way, so you're never alone and you always have someone to vent to!
0