2 answers
Paw
Student
Dublin, California
1
Question
Asked
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Hi! What specific things (about college, housing, life, etc.) should we know before to college? What courses are we required to take to be able to major in nursing (to become a registered nurse)? What are your tips for thriving in college?
HI!!! College can obviously be overwhelming, especially for people who's family members never went to college before (and they get a lot of pressure from their family to succeed!). How do you keep calm while still doing great academically? Also, I'm really passionate about learning how the human body and health so I really want to work in the medical field! When I was still living in ethnic minority areas of Myanmar, I saw many people get sick or die because of the lack of basic necessities, cleanliness, wars, and injuries from wars. There were barely any clinics there and the clinics that were there weren't very advanced (so many who had somewhat of a major injury died although if they lived in the US, they could easily be cured). After college and nurse training, I want to start working to help people get the basic health care they need. Even I don't make a huge difference, I believe that every bit counts. After a few years of practice, I'm planning to return to my native country and village (and go to developing countries) to help people in poverty get the basic necessities and health care that they need. :)
#HEALTH #Love #Compassion #medicine #HealthyRealFood #CleanWater #CleanShelter #College #WorkSmartAndWorkHard #THANKYOU
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2 answers
Anuj Gupta
Software Engineering
330
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Your story is incredibly moving and powerful. Coming from Myanmar and witnessing those healthcare disparities firsthand gives you a profound "why"—a deeper purpose that will make you an extraordinary nurse. Wanting to take those skills back to developing countries and your home village is a beautiful, noble mission. Every bit absolutely counts.
Let’s break down exactly what you need to know about navigating college, the required nursing courses, and how to stay calm when the pressure mounts as a first-generation student.
1. What to Expect (College, Housing, & Life)
The First-Gen Pressure is Real, but Manageable: When you are the first in your family to go to college, there is a lot of pressure to be perfect. Remember: your family loves you, but they don't know how college works. You do not have to carry their expectations like a heavy weight. Your job is simply to learn and grow.
Dorm Life requires Boundaries: Sharing a small room with a stranger can be tough. Be honest about your sleep and study schedules on day one. Invest in earplugs and a good sleeping mask!
The "Hidden Curriculum": College has unwritten rules. Professors expect you to read the syllabus (the class roadmap) completely before asking questions. They also hold Office Hours—this is free, dedicated time for you to sit with them and ask for help. Use it!
2. Required Courses for a Nursing Major (BSN Track)
Before you start clinical training (working with actual patients), you must pass specific science and general education prerequisites. Nursing school is highly competitive, so doing well in these classes is crucial.
Core Science Prerequisites
Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with Lab): You will memorize every bone, muscle, organ system, and chemical process in the human body.
Microbiology: Learning about bacteria, viruses, and how infections spread (highly relevant to your goal of improving cleanliness and sanitation!).
General Chemistry / Biochemistry: Understanding how medications and bodily fluids interact at a molecular level.
Supportive Coursework
Nutrition: How food acts as medicine and supports healing.
Developmental Psychology: Studying human growth from infancy to old age so you know how to communicate with patients of all ages.
Statistics: Used for reading medical research and understanding healthcare data.
3. How to Stay Calm & Thrive Academically
Nursing school prerequisites are intense, but you can excel without burning out.
Study to Understand, Not to Memorize: In nursing, you can't just memorize facts for a test and forget them. You need to understand why a disease happens so you can save a patient later. Use visual tools like flowcharts to track how illness affects the body.
Build Your "Village" Early: Seek out your college’s First-Generation Student Support Services or Multicultural Center. They offer free tutoring, mentoring, and a community of people who understand exactly what you are going through.
Protect Your Mental Health: When the academic pressure gets heavy, anchor yourself back to your mission. Write down your dream of helping your village in Myanmar on a sticky note and put it on your desk. When you are tired of studying chemistry at 2:00 AM, that note will remind you what you are fighting for.
Practice "Structured" Self-Care: Sleep is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity for your brain to retain what you studied. Aim for 7-8 hours, eat real food, and take 10-minute walks outside without your textbooks.
You are entering college with a level of resilience and compassion that cannot be taught in a classroom. Your future patients—both in the US and back home—are already waiting for you. You've got this!
Let’s break down exactly what you need to know about navigating college, the required nursing courses, and how to stay calm when the pressure mounts as a first-generation student.
1. What to Expect (College, Housing, & Life)
The First-Gen Pressure is Real, but Manageable: When you are the first in your family to go to college, there is a lot of pressure to be perfect. Remember: your family loves you, but they don't know how college works. You do not have to carry their expectations like a heavy weight. Your job is simply to learn and grow.
Dorm Life requires Boundaries: Sharing a small room with a stranger can be tough. Be honest about your sleep and study schedules on day one. Invest in earplugs and a good sleeping mask!
The "Hidden Curriculum": College has unwritten rules. Professors expect you to read the syllabus (the class roadmap) completely before asking questions. They also hold Office Hours—this is free, dedicated time for you to sit with them and ask for help. Use it!
2. Required Courses for a Nursing Major (BSN Track)
Before you start clinical training (working with actual patients), you must pass specific science and general education prerequisites. Nursing school is highly competitive, so doing well in these classes is crucial.
Core Science Prerequisites
Anatomy & Physiology I & II (with Lab): You will memorize every bone, muscle, organ system, and chemical process in the human body.
Microbiology: Learning about bacteria, viruses, and how infections spread (highly relevant to your goal of improving cleanliness and sanitation!).
General Chemistry / Biochemistry: Understanding how medications and bodily fluids interact at a molecular level.
Supportive Coursework
Nutrition: How food acts as medicine and supports healing.
Developmental Psychology: Studying human growth from infancy to old age so you know how to communicate with patients of all ages.
Statistics: Used for reading medical research and understanding healthcare data.
3. How to Stay Calm & Thrive Academically
Nursing school prerequisites are intense, but you can excel without burning out.
Study to Understand, Not to Memorize: In nursing, you can't just memorize facts for a test and forget them. You need to understand why a disease happens so you can save a patient later. Use visual tools like flowcharts to track how illness affects the body.
Build Your "Village" Early: Seek out your college’s First-Generation Student Support Services or Multicultural Center. They offer free tutoring, mentoring, and a community of people who understand exactly what you are going through.
Protect Your Mental Health: When the academic pressure gets heavy, anchor yourself back to your mission. Write down your dream of helping your village in Myanmar on a sticky note and put it on your desk. When you are tired of studying chemistry at 2:00 AM, that note will remind you what you are fighting for.
Practice "Structured" Self-Care: Sleep is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity for your brain to retain what you studied. Aim for 7-8 hours, eat real food, and take 10-minute walks outside without your textbooks.
You are entering college with a level of resilience and compassion that cannot be taught in a classroom. Your future patients—both in the US and back home—are already waiting for you. You've got this!
Shadey Trinidad, M.Ed.
Educator
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Shadey’s Answer
Hi Paw!
Your passion for giving back to your community is truly admirable!
You are absolutely right when you say that college can be overwhelming, especially for first-generation to college students. However, it is definitely possible to thrive academically on campus while staying calm! My number one piece of advice would be to use all the resources available to you and ask for help. Attend your professor's office hours, use the Writers' Center if you need to, ask older students who have been through the process at your college/university for advice, and find a mentor if possible. Do not be afraid to ask and seek help when you need it! College is not easy, but it becomes a lot easier when you have a team supporting you.
Picking up a hobby or extracurricular activity that you enjoy also helps.
Always remember your passion when things get tough! The passion you have for medicine and giving back to your community will help you get through the tough moments.
Good luck!
Your passion for giving back to your community is truly admirable!
You are absolutely right when you say that college can be overwhelming, especially for first-generation to college students. However, it is definitely possible to thrive academically on campus while staying calm! My number one piece of advice would be to use all the resources available to you and ask for help. Attend your professor's office hours, use the Writers' Center if you need to, ask older students who have been through the process at your college/university for advice, and find a mentor if possible. Do not be afraid to ask and seek help when you need it! College is not easy, but it becomes a lot easier when you have a team supporting you.
Picking up a hobby or extracurricular activity that you enjoy also helps.
Always remember your passion when things get tough! The passion you have for medicine and giving back to your community will help you get through the tough moments.
Good luck!