U of C Nursing

  

Balancing Life

This is the ultimate question while you are in nursing school… how do I balance it all?  Most of us came in with an image of personal balance as a set of scales in perfect balance every day.  It is an unrealistic goal.  Nursing will undoubtedly take up a huge amount of your time.  The schedule of Nursing can often make it not only difficult to have a social life but to work as well.  Although some have done it, having anything more than a part-time job will cause you to burn out quickly.  Nursing projects and clinical often demand peaks of intense work, followed by valleys of some slower times.

Here are some suggestions on trying to keep the balance so that you can safely walk the work/school/social life high wire safely:

  1. Make an appointment with yourself – While in school you must make time for yourself!  You may have to schedule it between Anatomy and Pharmacology but you have to give yourself some prime time to recharge your batteries. Regularly do something that you enjoy.  The campus has beautiful grounds and many paths for taking a short walk.  Or, have a bubble bath without reading your notes in the tub.

  2. Care for your body. Having a high energy level is a trait needed to succeed in Nursing! No matter what your present level of energy, you can increase it by following these steps:

    Eat. Don’t skip meals. Your physical and mental energy depend upon nourishment. Irregular eating patterns can cause a frayed temper, depression, lack of creativity and a nervous stomach.  Pay attention in Nutrition!

    Exercise. Over and over again, highly successful people mention the benefit of exercise routines. The benefits of exercise are mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. If you are healthier and have more stamina, you can work better and longer.  You might as well start to practice what you preach now!

    Rest. You are definitely allowed a few late nights (this is university after all) but rest often and sleep a lot.  There are some great places to catch a snooze at U of C including the round benches on the second floor of Mac Hall. 

  3. Cut yourself some slack.  There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself hard, doing what needs to be done and holding yourself to the highest standards. It builds up stamina and turns you into a pro. There will be times though when you must forgive yourself. It is very difficult to become a 4.0 student, and you shouldn’t expect to be. When you don’t get the grade you wanted, ask yourself, “Did I do my best? If you did, accept the outcome. All you can do is all you can do.  Remember, Nursing is very difficult to get into.  You are already the cream of the crop.  Cut yourself some slack.

  4. Take a break. Many therapists believe that taking a break from a school routine can have major benefits for mental and physical health. You should be able to schedule one day every few months with no agenda. This means staying in your pajamas, unplugging the phone, and not opening a single school book. For that one day, nothing happens, except what you decide from hour to hour.  Let yourself do nothing at all and not feel guilty.

  5. Take the road less traveled. Occasionally, get off the expressway and take a side road, literally and figuratively. That road may take you to the library or to the Den. Do something out of the ordinary to avoid the well-worn grooves of your life. Try a new bus route, a different way to class or a different cereal. Break out of your old mold occasionally, with a new way to dress or a different hobby. The road less traveled can be a reward after a demanding class, a carrot that you reward yourself with.

  6. Be still. The way you use solitary time should match your values, beliefs and temperament. Some students devote a regular time each day to visualize themselves attaining their goals and dreams. Others read, pray, meditate, do yoga or just contemplate a sunrise or sunset. Whatever form it takes, time spent alone can have an enormous payoff. Achievers talk about an inner strength they find and how it helps them put competing demands into perspective. They feel more confident about their choices and more self-reliant. They discover a sense of balance.

  7. Focus on strategy. As important as it is, how to save time for balancing your life is not the ultimate question. That question is, “What am I saving time for?”  Know what you love to do and save your time for this purpose.  If you really want to go to the Nursing Cabaret, know what you must have done in order to do this one thing.  Strategize to get your assignments done so that you can enjoy yourself at the Cab! 

  8. Work in the library and not in your dorm. This may go for those of you at home still, too.  There are fewer temptations in the library and you may be able to get more done.  The library carrels are like a home away from home! 

  9.   Join a club. This may seem like you are adding more to your plate but your social life doesn’t have to mean sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  Many students have a great time on an outing with club members and you get to do what you enjoy.  Or start your own club with fellow nursing students!  You’ll find study partners as a bonus. 

  10. Get Outside Help.  If you’re really struggling to keep your focus on your academic commitments, you might want to talk to either your faculty adviser or a member of the U of C counseling staff.  They may suggest setting up regular check-ins to chart your progress and can offer advice specific to the U of C campus. 

It is possible to balance your academic and social life, but if it continues to seem totally impossible to you, in spite of your determination to do so, then it is time for you to seek help. 

 

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