Wow.
Sixteen semester units, a full-time job as an RN on a med-surg floor, three kids under ten, and planning to take another 16 units next semester.
It wasn’t unusual to see this description among my classmates in my online BSN course.
With so many obligations, I wondered why so many saddled themselves with so much classwork. It wasn’t required. There was no time frame in which we had to complete the program.
When I made inquires, the usual response was, “I just want to be done with it!”
And I thought how different my mindset was than that of many of my classmates. My children were grown, I worked part-time.
And truth be told, I was actually savoring the process.
Sure, I wanted the degree as badly as everyone else, but tuition and class schedules made it so that I had to take one or two classes at a time. And truth be told, I’m somewhat of a nerd. I enjoyed studying.
Taking it at a slower pace allowed me to immerse myself in the material, to actually learn and incorporate what the professor and my fellow students had to offer, as opposed to quickly skimming material and cramming for exams so I could move onto the next assignment.
My classes became an enjoyable addition to my career instead of a cumbersome addition to my day, another obligation to be checked off a “to do” list.
How do you approach studying?
If I had to give one piece of advice to a prospective BSN or MSN student, it would be to take your time with your program. The urge is strong to do as much as you can as fast as you can, but something is lost when you are pressured to produce.
If you have the ability to pace yourself through your program, be sure you give yourself time to actually enjoy the process.
You get so much more out of your education when you do.
