Kate
As I head into my final semester of nursing school at Binghamton, there are a few things I wish I could go back and tell to my freshman/sophomore self. I would not change a thing, however there is some academic and personal advice I wish I had known.
Get a planner!
This is my #1 piece of advice for any younger student. My planner is my life line; I break down my schedule into weekly and monthly tasks. Go through each class syllabus at the beginning of the month and write down major dates: paper or assignment
due dates, tests, quizzes, homework reminders and everything else (don't forget Birthdays or Holidays!).
Now with online asynchronous classes, I find myself writing which lecture I
will cover that week. You won't miss a thing as long as its written down! Your brain is powerful, however you can't possibly remember every due date for every class. Some of my friends love to use google calendar, but I love my pen and paper.
Join clubs! Reach out! Make friends!
Chances are, everyone is just as nervous as you are to meet new people. I found my best friends in NURS321 lecture and by joining club sports!
I made my first friend in college by going to Lecture Hall 8 for Chemistry lecture, sitting down, and asking the girl next to me "am I even in the right place?"
If you're confused about a class, someone else definitely is too!
Learn how you study best
This was the hardest for me! Some of my friends like to study in groups or in coffee shops. I learned that I need to find a quiet, clean area. My favorite study spot is the 4th floor of the library- its a silent floor!
This part is two-fold; the second most important part is your study materials. I like to listen to lectures and write notes on paper. Some people love typing notes and studying on their laptops. Give everything a try and something will stick!
Make time for you!
It's easy to get lost in hours of studying and end up feeling overwhelmed. Be sure to schedule in one hour each day of self-care activities. My favorite self care activities throughout college have been going on walks, watching a Netflix show, hanging out with my roommates, and going to the gym. Give your brain a rest after working hard!
Most importantly, never doubt yourself! You got this, good luck! :)
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