Dear nursing student,

You have chosen the most difficult major EVER. You might need some tips. Enclosed, you will find 3 of my best tips for any nursing student. I hope they treat you well. May the odds be ever in your favor.

1. Work hard, even in your general education classes. They are important because they give you a little security when you're in the REALLY hard classes that require every ounce of your attention and detail. When you're struggling through the depths of hell in Pathophysiology, you will be thankful for the hard work you put in back in good ol' Art Theory class.

2. Find an advisor you love. My advisor here at LC is phenomenal and I don't know where I would be without her. She was there to tell me to get my act together when I thought it was time to throw in the towel and she was there to congratulate me when I got the grades I needed. She has been an incredibly influential person in my path toward my dream and making sure I didn't lose faith in my ability to make a difference.

3. Find friends that you can study with and friends that you can play with, but not necessarily together or separately. Some people say that the best study buddies are the ones that you don't hang out with outside of school or study groups. I agree, to a point, because there are fewer distractions if you study with people you don't hang with. There's no chit chat about your weekend or the drama at work. On the other hand, it's really great to study with somebody you know really well and can depend on. They don't leave you hangin' or grasping for straws when it comes down to the last few days before whatever test your studying for. You can't just be hanging around with Jo Schmo, who doesn't have his priorities straight, because you don't have time to be messing around. Nursing school means business and hard work and true dedication, none of which are skills that come easily to everybody.

Choosing to go to nursing school has been one of the best decisions of my life. It has also been one of the most challenging endeavors I've ever taken on, which means that in the future it will be the most rewarding. Who wouldn't want that?

Best of luck to you!

love,

the girl who just applied to nursing school