Tips for Preparing for Fall Semester
By Justina D., Elsevier Sponsored Ambassador
Summer is quickly coming to a close, which means the fall semester is rapidly approaching. If you are like me and decide to take summer off, you may be dreading going back to the grind of studying late into the night and spending all day at the hospital or in class; however do not fear!! I have a couple quick tips to help you start off the semester with confidence:
1) Write out your schedule. If you are a visual person like me, it helps to see what your week will look like on a regular basis. Whether it is an excel spread sheet or on a sheet of paper, it is helpful to start thinking what your typical week will look like during the semester. I have found it helpful to schedule in specific times when to study and when to let yourself have a break from studying. One example of allowing yourself to have a break from studying would be after a full day at clinical. It is the perfect time to rest your mind, because I don’t know about you but I am exhausted after 12 hours in the hospital.
2) Get a Jump Start on Studying. Really? I know it’s the last thing you want to do with your last few precious weeks of summer, but trust me, it will pay off when the semester hits you full force with assignments and exams. And plus, it never hurts to get ahead and feel confident on the first day of lecture.
3) Get Back into A Regular Sleep Schedule. I know when we are mid semester, buried in exams and assignments, we don’t always prioritize our sleep; however, it doesn’t hurt to start the semester off strong with going to bed at a similar time each night to train your body back into getting the rest it needs. Summer is the time to stay up late and hang out with your friends, but once the semester starts again, it’s time to retrain your body to get some much needed rest. Your body will thank you when you aren’t drowning yourself in coffee the first week of the semester!
One last thing, you can do this!! Every semester brings new challenges, but they only shape and mold you into the fantastic nurse you’re going to be!