Welp. Today was my first day back to school as Step One of my journey to my next big step.
I managed to take one photo of my 12 hours at school and I think it accurately summed up the experience.
Luckily I managed to do something well in the day- starting it with CrossFit.
I wouldn’t say I was ‘excited’ to determine my one rep max this morning. I feel like I’m still catching up from my Vancouver trip and doubted my strength. Still, I plowed through it and set a new dead lift PR of 175#. I tried 176# and couldn’t get it up! (TWSS) 200#, I’m coming for you.
The WOD was simple and fast today:
4-8-16-32-64 reps of:
Air Squats
Push-Ups
+ 25 DU/50SU after each round
Right before the clock went off our coach yelled out “14:27 is the time to beat!”
So I beat it. I made great time on the squats telling myself I had legs of iron from my 119 mile ride this past weekend 
Apparently my legs are made of iron because I came in at 11 minutes 59 minutes. I totally recommend trying this WOD at home. You’ll feel it!
I’m the little omega symbol!
And then there was school.
I’m taking three classes and three labs to finish off my prerequisites before applying to an accelerated BSN program: Human Anatomy & Physiology II, Chemistry and Microbiology. I finished my BA in 2008 so being a student again felt so different.
What I’ve Learned:
1. I need SLEEP to survive 12 hour days.
2. I need to schedule my priorities and eliminate nonessentials.
3. I need to pack snacks and lots of them. Pop Tarts don’t make for the best brain food.
Do you have any tips for managing school with real life? How about going back to school after a long break?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
packing healthy snacks will definitely help keep your energy up!
Julianna @ Julianna Bananna recently posted..shopping day.
I am taking anatomy 2 as well this semester!
Wow, you’re taking the hardest of the nursing prereqs, all at once! Find the bio lab where the tutors are, and spend a LOT of time there. Make friends w/ the other smart kids and study together. Taking anatomy/phys and micro is like learning a new language, it’s really hard! Oh, figure out a schedule and stick to it, that’s what helped me the most doing all of my prereqs. Good luck!
Make lots of lists, and keep them handy. I also recommend organizing for the next day before you go to bed, as it helps you sleep better. Make sure you have little victories every day, to counter the challenges and things that are more pain than pleasure.
Awesome deadlift!
Jessica recently posted..Unplugged. Rewired. Upgraded.
I got out of law school 3 years ago…so I’m not too far removed.
Snacks and lists, definitely! Plan! I used to go through the syllabi and fill my planner with major dates and deadlines. Then I would work backwards and give myself other ones – like working on my overall course outlines every 2 weeks.
Also, the biggest one for me was to “treat it like a job.” Get to the library at 8 and study. Study between classes. Study at the library until 5. Then go home and let it go. My husband had a job so it helped tremendously for me to approach it this way. It ensured I studied plenty, and got to see the husband!
Ashley recently posted..Training Recap: 8/20-8/26
I’m finishing my final year of two in my grad program this year. I graduated in 2005 from undergrad so going back was a HUGE change/readjustment. I would definitely agree that sleep is super important and figuring out your priorities! I pack lunches, snacks and dinners usually because of being on campus for work, class and teaching – so I’m figuring out what works for me too. Get a gigantic lunchbox, for real! I do think that going back after a break gives you more perspective & maturity, so I’m sure you’ll be a great student!
Erin @ Big Girl Feats recently posted..Back to School: Working Out.
We are deadlift PR twins! I can’t wait to crush 200# soon.
The best back to school tip I have is to take a day, a half a day, or few hours where you do nothing – just have a complete mental rest & reset. I finished my Bachelors (double major in psychology and criminal justice) and my Masters in Criminal Justice in 5 years while working 2-3 jobs – in hindsight, I wish I would have taken more time to just relax and maintain my sanity!
Gabby @ Gabby’s Gluten-Free recently posted..What I’ve Learned from Crossfit: 1 Month Update
Lucky you that you can eat Poptarts – they’re not even vegetarian in my country, as they contain gelatin
I do miss them sometimes!
Last week, I started my first A&P I class, which is one of the pre-reqs for the accelerated nursing program I’m applying for. It makes me feel a little less nervous to read about someone taking the same path that I am on. It’s scary to walk away from a career which I really enjoy, but has little security, low pay, and very few job prospects. Are you terrified about being accepted to your program? I have read about nursing programs being very competitive, but accelerated programs being even more so.
Good for you going back to school! I’m going back myself in a few days, after taking a few off, to become a registered/certified holistic nutritionist… i’ll be working full time while going back to school so I don’t have any good time management tips but i’ll be sure to check back and see what tips others have… good luck!
Simone recently posted..Pick me up
i’m in my final semester of an accelerated BSN. you won’t regret it! good luck!