Top 10 Tips to Start Your Semester the Right Way

Top 10 Tips to Start Your Semester the Right Way Well-begun is half done! This quotation stands true also in the case of nursing school. Taking into consideration that studying nursing is not one of the easiest fields, it is important to focus the majority of your efforts and dedication at the beginning of the very first semester, to set the precedent for semesters to come.

Once you’ve passed all the selective phases and are all set up to begin this new journey, there are several pieces of advice to be taken into consideration. You should be aware that you still have a bit of freedom to arrange practices as per your best individual characteristic fit. There are no tailored solutions, only recommendations to be implemented and featured as per individual demands.

Here are the top 10 tips to start your semester the right way:

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Take a lot of notes Consult previous exams Try to be as extroverted as you can Build an agenda Study regularly Try to remain in good shape Avert your focus away from social life for a period of time Join “that” studying group Stay focused on your final objective Never, ever, consider giving up to be an option

Related: 6 habits of effective nurses - International Nurses Association 1. Take a lot of notes Taking notes is a process that requires full attention during lectures. Once you are able to completely focus your attention on your professor and follow the rhythm, your notes might be the most valuable source of studying. It will save you time. You can avoid some reading through textbooks, since you will already have the core information in your notes, in a structure that you understand.

2. Consult previous exams It is important to know how exams are built up, and each course’s exams may be completely different than those of another course.

Reading and getting familiar with past exams is considered to be a smart approach. It will simply serve as another tool to help you be prepared for what’s to come, though you can never be 100% prepared for an exam. With access to previous exams, you can understand the type of language your professor will use, question styles, and exam length. Even in an emotional aspect, you can gain confidence as well.

3. Try to be as extroverted as you can Nursing requires a lot of human interaction. Being an introvert may not favor a nursing student. Direct supervisors and clinical instructors are always trying to understand the typology of their students’ personality and they will be providing necessary hints on how to improve your interaction characteristics. If you are naturally introverted, simply try talking more each day. It will soon become habitual and you’ll find that being sociable is easier than ever before.

4. Build an agenda The best approach in terms of feasibility and practice would be a digital agenda/calendar. It will be easy for you to recollect all the important dates regarding your studies, and follow them by being on time and planning ahead. Using a digital agenda, you will also have the option to update meetings or clinical courses in real time, without risking confusion. Agenda preparation and updating is recommended in order to be always assured that no task has been left unaccomplished.

5. Study regularly Being a regular student in terms of study time will be a considerable means of support during your first semester of nursing studies. You will allocate amounts of time daily to each of the lectures you attend. This way, you will not find yourself in front of a huge pile of books just a week before exams.

Regular study favours the memorization process as well. Eating healthy and exercising frequently are good options to be sure to keep in a good mood, and this will make you more likely to study effectively.

Related: How to help the Family of a Terminal Patient 6. Try to remain in good shape Nursing requires physical engagement as well. Once you are already practicing your clinical trials, being in good shape is valuable in addition to your general evaluation provided by the clinical instructor. Nursing professionals are energetic people that are found to be running up and down the workplace readily providing support to their patients and colleagues.

7. Avert your focus away from social life for a period of time Actual social life is one of the sacrifices to put on the table once you start nursing school. Just remind yourself that it won’t last forever. Your social life will return, but temporarily you won’t have enough time for social arrangements. Prepare your friends and loved ones before school starts so they fully understand.

8. Join “that” studying group Studying groups are another smart approach to studying. The sooner you join a group, the sooner you will have the chance to benefit from group contribution. Studying groups are also considered as healthy solutions in terms of social activities as well. They will support you right from the very first semester. Studying group members can become your best friends during nursing school and even further, you will be sharing the same environment, experiences, and interests. They might as well be your future sphere of influence, recommending each other for job opportunities.

9. Stay focused on your final objective Considering the amount of barriers a you will face throughout your education period, it is important to stay focused on the final objective. The final objective will serve as a motivator during hard times. Objectives are the element that build the road to success, so following them is the right approach. Just imagine yourself in your future uniform, and everything will be easier than it seems.

10.

Never, ever, consider giving up to be an option Related to the previous suggestion, even in the hardest times, giving up should not be an option. Common characteristic found amongst nursing professionals are good will and endurance in terms of support and sacrifice.

There are no boundaries that cannot be surpassed once there is dedication to your profession, especially when that profession involves helping people and saving lives.

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