How My First Semester of Nursing School Built Me

Hey everyone, long time no see. I have a good reason, though. I am officially 25% a nurse!!! That’s right. After about three and a half months of nonstop studying, early mornings, and learning how to push myself in ways I never had before, I have completed my first semester of nursing school.

I wanted to come on here and flesh out some of the lessons I learned during these past few difficult but deeply rewarding months.

First off, wow. The grind in nursing school is nothing like anything I have experienced before. Even during my undergraduate years, I had never spent this much time learning, studying, and practicing skills day after day. There were many nights when I found myself overthinking whether I had studied enough, whether I was capable enough, or whether I truly belonged here at all. But over time, I learned something important. The answer to all of those questions was yes.

This semester gave me a sense of confidence that is hard to put into words. Not the loud kind. The quiet kind that reminds you that you can handle more than you think.

Despite the stress, I have never been more excited to learn. I genuinely looked forward to waking up early, especially on clinical days. There is something grounding about setting my 5:30 a.m. alarm knowing I would get to practice new skills, meet patients, and see nursing come to life beyond the classroom. That excitement reassured me that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

I am so excited to pursue this career, and I am deeply grateful for the privilege of doing this work.

1. Be Confident

I still remember the questions I missed on my very first pathophysiology exam. It was my favorite class, but also my hardest. What stuck with me most was that I actually knew the answers. I just second-guessed myself. To this day, I can remember the exact questions I missed because I changed my original answers.

If I could tell you one thing, it would be this. You know more than you think. Trust yourself. This applies to exams, check-offs, clinicals, and life in general. From one anxious check-off girl who ended up doing completely fine every single time, take a deep breath. Relax. You are fully capable.

2. Stay on Top of Your Work

One thing I am genuinely proud of this semester is how consistent I stayed. I made it a priority to complete assignments early and prepare for exams ahead of time. Nursing school moves fast, and it is incredibly easy to fall behind. But it is just as possible to get ahead.

Getting ahead gave me breathing room. It gave me peace. It allowed me to walk into exams feeling prepared instead of panicked, for the most part. Trust me when I say this. Your future self will thank you for the effort you put in now.

3. Let Yourself Grow

This semester did not just teach me how to be a better student. It taught me how to regulate my stress, ask for help, and show up even when I felt unsure. I found an incredible group of friends to go on this journey with, was elected into a leadership role, and achieved my goal of earning a 4.0.

I learned that growth does not always feel graceful in the moment, but it is happening anyway. Looking back, I am proud. Not just of the grades, but of the person I am becoming. Nursing school is building me in ways I did not expect, and I am choosing to trust the process.

If you are starting this journey, or in the middle of it, please know this. You are not behind. You are not incapable. You are becoming. And that is more than enough.