This post is about how I keep myself sane and organized during nursing school. However, it may relate to those of you out there studying something else! I just wanted to share some little nuggets of info that I've learned myself or been taught by others. Hope they help!
1. Personal Checklist
Now I know not everyone is like this, but I have to keep a list of "to-do" items that is neat and where I have the ability to check off those items. That way I see all in one spot what I have to do, can allot my time appropriately, and then check off those items when I'm done. This keeps me from forgetting to do any reading or assignments. Below is an example of a template I made and print out every week. The trick for filling this out is to do it when you aren't stressed. Usually on Sunday night I sit down and look at all my syllabi and write down all the stuff for each class. I then carry this sheet with me to school so if a teacher brings up a surprise assignment or whatnot I can just add it in and WON'T forget. I keep everything on this one sheet so I don't have loose sticky notes with reminders or whatnot--it is all consolidated!
2. Plan Ahead
This probably seems like a "duh," but most successful people work ahead of time. This keeps you majorly less stressed. This applied the most to pharmacology for me. Sometimes I'd have to learn over 100 drugs in a short amount of time (meaning their action, contraindications, side effects, and patient education...which is a lot!). Often I knew ahead of time I had to fill out a butt-load of paperwork for clinicals and would be studying for another exam right before my pharmacology exam, so I would at least make sure to do as much ahead of time as possible. Usually this meant at LEAST making my drug cards for all my medications beforehand so that as soon as I finished taking my other exams I was all ready and set to start studying my completed drug cards.
3. Who You Study With
Our teachers say to study in groups of 4 or less. For me, it's best just me and one other person. But you need to figure out your ideal study group. I really don't learn much from studying with other groups. I usually need to study on my own and make sure I KNOW my material, then afterwards just quiz back and forth with another student. Stay away from unhealthy groups, such as ones that gossip, argue, or aren't willing to explain things/wait for you. It is important to not take the words of another student for truth. If you think they are explaining something wrong always go back and double check on your own. It shouldn't be their fault you miss a question, it is always your responsibility to look it up and know for sure.
4. Reward Yourself
Tell yourself that you'll get your favorite Starbucks drink, go on a date, or go see a movie after your test! This helps you stay motivated to study and gives you something to look forward to!
5. Remove The Clutter
I mean this both literally and figuratively. Literally remove the physical clutter from your room, kitchen, whatever. Staying organized will help you when you have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to get to clinicals and you need all your stuff! I always try to find as many little things to do ahead of time, like pack my lunch the night before, etc. Also, remove the clutter like phone apps that waste your time (for me it was Snapchat....R.I.P.). When you have friends that whine about never seeing you or who get angry because you can't hang out--you have to let it go. This is a temporary season of your life where yes, you will be a sucky friend. But real friends will be understanding and know they just need to accept your schedule right now. If someone gets mad at you, just be kind, apologize, and tell them you wish you were more available but this is just the way it is. Don't feel guilted into anything--you've worked too hard to get here.
6. Unwind
Take a moment to just stop doing something school related at some point in the day. Could be taking a bath, listening to guided imagery, a little yoga, whatever. But force yourself to do it because you'll come back to studying afterwards and realize how much more focused you are.
