Balancing school, life, family, friends, exercise, and yea, maybe, some fun!

D. D. Millett, RN, BS

Yes, it is possible to do ALL of these things and have some

sort of a SEMBLANCE of life…only with some carful planning

and organization.

So get ready!

DO NOT PANIC OR BECOME OVERWHELMED!!!There are thousands of nurses we have all

met and wondered, “how in the world did she/he get through nursing school??” If they can do it, so can you.

BEST THING?! Close your eyes and visualize yourself working at your first job. Keep that picture in your head and remind yourself that being a student is only temporary, while being a nurse is for a lifetime!

This is Nursing School and it is demanding, can be overwhelming, and will, if you let it,

TAKE

OVER

YOUR

ENTIRE

LIFE!

Let’s start with a quick quiz…a fun one, of course. Take a look at your normal day, and think about all of the things you must or need to accomplish that day.

Then, write them all down.

THINGS I MUST GET DONE:1. GET READY TO LEAVE HOME2. TRAVEL TIME TO CLASS3. TIME SPENT IN CLASS/LAB/CLINICALS4. TIME TO STUDY (INCLUDING 5 – 10 MINUTE BREAKS)5. TIME TO EAT6. TIME TO SLEEP7. TIME WITH FAMILY AND/OR FRIENDS (WILL VARY)8. EXERCISE9. ERRANDS10. WORK (IF APPLICABLE)11. SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS/EVENTS12. FUN13. RELAX AND GET READY FOR BED

Next, figure out how much time each activity, event or occurrence, needs:

SLEEP: 6.5 HOURS/NIGHTCLASS: 3 HOURS/DAYERRANDS: 5 HOURS/WEEKSTUDY: 4 HOURS/DAY FAMILY: 2 HOURS/DAYDINNER: 1.5 HOURS/DAY

You get the idea and there are only 168 hours in a week. You will soon see that you must do FOUR things:

You must:

1. PRIOTITIZE2. ORGANIZE3. SIMPLIFY4.LEARN TO SAY, “NO.”

Organize: Find a way to keep your life and its’ activities organized. Whether you use a calendar – with an hourly space – or

Post-It Notes or keep an ongoing list, USE IT.

Allocate all of your activities according to the time you deem them necessary to take. In addition, the activities that take more energy and concentration, schedule those for the time you study the best…even if you must split it up for the day. If you find you concentrate the best at 4:00 AM and at 3:00 PM, then that is when you schedule your time to study.

PRIORITIZE: Make a list of things you HAVE TO GET DONE (like studying for an exam), the things you should get done (get your haircut), and the things you would like to get done (watch The Bachelor!). Do what you MUST do FIRST.

This can be difficult, especially if you have a family with children or you work full-time, plus school. DO THE BEST YOU CAN! Your daughter can take bought brownies to school instead of you making them from scratch!

(Add picture of a checklist here)

Another necessity for ORGANIZING and PRIORITIZING is combining your errands or projects into one time period. PLAN ahead on where each store is located and EXACTLY what you need to buy – make a list. This way, you are NOT racing back and forth across town and you are NOT wandering down the aisles trying to remember what it was that you needed. You will NOT be wasting time.

Then you will save that extra trip back to the store because you forgot to purchase something!

SIMPLIFY: If you are a perfectionist…get over it!

According to your “To – Do” list, you need to start getting ready for bed. DO NOT read “just one more chapter!”

You will need to alter your list or calendar now and again, but stick to your time restraints and time limits. If you stay up all night studying or reading, then the following day, you will be worthless and will not accomplish everything you had planned for that day.

Alter your list, but stick to it! REMEMBER: You must MAINTAIN A “B” AVERAGE TO SURVIVE NURSING SCHOOL! PLAN AHEAD.

“JUST SAY NO!”Learn to turn down your best friend, for example, even though you have been best friends since you both were teething; and now, she absolutely must have your help in planning her husband’s birthday party! She uses guilt and bribery and tells you that you used to always help her…WELL, things have changed.

You have made a commitment and a decision to become a nurse. So, ever so politely, "JUST SAY NO!”

Organize, Prioritize, Simplify, and Learning to “NO,” will help you map out the next few years of your life, and then some. Keeping track of time and your activities, using whatever method works for you, will begin to become a habit.

You will find that you have the extra half hour for a nice, warm and relaxing bubble bath!!