Since a young age, I have known that I wanted to pursue a career in nursing. Getting to care for and be a source of comfort for people in one of their most vulnerable moments is something I yearn for. When applying to college, I knew that I wanted to be a part of a program that was going to put me in the best position to obtain these goals. Although I am only a sophomore, I can confidently say that the School of Nursing here at UConn does just that. The professors, advisors, and the rest of the staff all share a common goal: to help you succeed!
However, I would be lying if I said that this is an easy process. If you are addicted to TikTok like me, you more than likely have encountered a video or two of nursing students sharing about the heavy coursework in their respective programs. And let me tell you, they were not lying. Don’t let that discourage you! If you are a current nursing student, or thinking of switching in or applying, hopefully, some tips that I have picked up can help ease the anxiety that comes with being a nursing student.
1. Form Study Groups
It is easy to feel as if you need to isolate yourself while you are in nursing school — and I am saying this from experience. However, that is the complete opposite of what you should do. When you enter class, you are surrounded by other students who are in the same position, and experiencing some of the same emotions. Ever heard the phrase: “There’s strength in numbers?” Well, apply that to nursing. Introduce yourself to some of your peers and exchange information so if you ever feel confused within the course, you have someone to reach out to!
As someone who has a bit of social anxiety, this was the last thing I wanted to do. I mainly kept to myself and wanted to go about it alone, and if I’m being honest, I struggled. However, I met someone who was in some of my other classes, and we started texting and sharing study tips and notes with one another. Meeting this one person helped me come out of my shell, and start interacting with some other students, eventually leading to the study group I still am a part of today! Take the time you need to become adjusted to college, and when you feel comfortable, try to connect with your classmates! Who knows, maybe you will meet your new best friend!
2. Attend SI Sessions and Office hours
Here at UConn, many classes offer supplemental instruction (SI) sessions with students who have previously taken the course. These normally meet twice a week for about an hour, and tutors go over the course’s more important concepts, offer study tips, and hold Q&A sessions. These tutors are very familiar with the material and have created different methods of digesting such content-heavy concepts, and I promise you, they are going to share these tips and hacks with you. I recently began attending these sessions for some of my STEM courses, because let me tell you, I am struggling. These sessions have helped me develop a deeper understanding of the material, and I am already seeing a positive change in some of my classes!
If you prefer to instead meet with your professor or TA, you should attend office hours! Each instructor sets aside time to allow students to meet with them in person or online. I cannot stress this enough, utilize this! Sometimes, all you need is some one-on-one clarification, and that is okay. All professors are more than happy to meet with students to go over grades, answer questions, or even just chat. Their goal is to help you succeed, so don’t be afraid to reach out when needed.
3. Give Yourself time to relax
Out of everything that I have said so far, I would consider this one to be most important: take breaks! It is far too easy to let yourself get lost in your work, and that is not always the best thing. The best thing I can recommend is setting aside time each day to allow for some activities to help you relax, whether that is going to the recreation center, going for a walk, or attending a sporting event. Most people believe that being a nursing major means that you have to sacrifice your time and social life, but this could not be any farther from the truth. Of course, it is important to make sure that you stay on top of the work, but it is also important to remember that you deserve to take care of yourself.
If you, or anyone you know, ever feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out and speak to someone. UConn’s Student Health and Wellness Center has a department dedicated to mental health services which offers a plethora of resources for students. There is never any shame in looking for support, because nursing (and college, in general) can be a very stressful time for plenty of people. No one deserves to suffer in silence, so whether it is someone at home or here on campus, there’s always someone willing to support and help you.
Hopefully, these tips helped ease some anxiety that you may be experiencing. No one said this was going to be easy, so remember why you’re doing this when you feel discouraged. We will be one of the faces people remember when they are going through some of their hardest moments, and we will be there to provide them with the best support and care there is to offer. Keeping this in the back of your mind can be the motivation you need, but if you need another, remember how good you’ll look in those royal blue scrubs.