Will it make you...or break you?
- Amber Black
- Apr 20, 2017
- 2 min read
I began the nursing program at Troy in January 2016. It’s a 5 semester program, not including summers, which makes my expected graduation date May 2018. It’s one of the hardest programs at the university.
My life changed completely as the semesters passed. I lost friends, time, money, and more just by being in the program. Every semester I tend to get in my feelings with how hard and overwhelming it is. I am a very smart person, but too much studying can take a toll on me. Sometimes I just want to quit. I just want to go hang out. I just want to take a break without having to think about what I should be studying right now. I will cry sometimes just thinking about the workload I have. I even went as far as contacting my advisor to discuss changing my major in the middle of 2nd semester. My grades were never bad, but I think it was just a mind thing. I was mentally drained because nursing school is so time consuming. I was also dealing with other personal issues at the time, which made it worse (because if it ain’t one thing, it’s another).
Even though I’m halfway done with the program now. It took me 2 semesters to realize that I can’t stress over things that I can’t control. There’s no need to stress about a test or assignment that’s due in 2 weeks or next month. Focus on the here and now. I think that applies to any major in college.
I had to sit back and realize that I signed up for this, because I’m passionate about working with critical care babies in the NICU. Sometimes you just have to give yourself a pep talk. Don’t let the hard times discourage you from completing the task.
Nowadays as soon as I get my tentative schedule for the semester I make a huge calendar and to-do list with my own due dates. I have not cried any this semester over school so that’s a plus.
I just get in my grind mode and I ALWAYS get the stuff done! I may not sleep, eat, or go out as much as I want, but to be successful that may happen sometimes.
They say it’ll all be worth it (and I think it will be too).
Antidote:
Never give up. Maybe you need to take a step back, think, reevaluate, and pray. You may lose some things in the process, but you will gain so much more later. Patience is key, but positivity is, too. Try changing your organizational habits and prioritize. Look to the hills from which comes your help. Your help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121).