If your school is anything like mine, you don't just glide your way into nursing school. You have to be one of the top 42 people applying to the nursing program with the highest GPA. You can't make anything less than a C in a prereq class or you won't even be considered. I appreciate the rules because it's forcing me to work harder than ever because I refuse to give up on my dream of being a nurse. 'One Tree Hill' pretty much sums up my life so here I am describing life as a pre-nursing student as told by Brooke Davis.

1. When you come home from a two hour and forty minute class

Ugh, anatomy. Cry. Sleep.

2. "Can I actually do this?"

We've all been there no matter what our major is.

The answer -- you can.

3. Study groups that turn into social gatherings

You have the little time to talk before your lectures start and an even smaller amount of time to talk when the lecture ends and your teacher is setting up the microscopes for the class to look at erythrocytes (red blood cells) and leukocytes (white blood cells).

You haven't talked to your friends in days. Your brain is fried. Can't study anymore. So you all decide to get coffee and talk it up instead.

4. "C's get degrees" doesn't count for us

Nuff said.

5. Realizing this is only the beginning

Everyone seems to keep reminding me that nursing school will be just as hard. Believe me, I know.

6. Realizing that this is what you were born to do

About a month ago, some friends and I visited the Nursing Lab. It's set up pretty much like a hospital. Medical supplies stack the shelves living the wall, there's an extremely real-seeming dummy lying on a hospital bed. (He even talks.) Let's just say, it's heaven.

When we left my friend said, "while I was in there I got this feeling in my chest like I know I'm supposed to be here." I knew exactly what she meant. This is passion.

7. No social life

"Hey! do you want to go to *insert fun place here* tonight?"

"LOL. I have to study."

8. Those weird guys that say, "Oooooh, nursing school? I could really use a nurse right now ;-)"

No. Go away.

9. "Has anyone read the chapter we're covering today?" says your professor

Crap. No, I'm sorry. I was studying for your 120 question exam.

10. Being doubted

I've never actually had it said to my face, but there are people doubting me and they know who they are. Hell, I even doubt myself sometimes. But no matter what other people may say or think, I know I can do this. I know I will finish. And I know I will be great at what I do someday.

11. The moment you realize that you CAN do this and you will not give up

I've already had plenty of breakdowns and plenty of self-pity days where I'm convinced that I'm just not smart enough to do this. After a few of those moments, I realized I was being ridiculous. I'm a genious. (Not really, but I'll continue to tell myself that if it's what it takes to survive nursing school.)

Oh, and you, you will be a kick-ass nurse one day too.