Today I went to the orientation day for my LPN class. In reality, it was basically the first day of class–before the first day of class on September 7th. There were a pile of books waiting for each of us students. The teachers introduced themselves. We were given homework that had to be turned in on the “first” day of class. It was a first day of class in everything but name.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually glad. This “pre-first day” first day gives me three weeks to prepare for the actual first day. This is a good thing. I have three weeks to familiarize myself with these books, and digest the course schedule. This is a good thing.
Nonetheless, the experience was a tad overwhelming. In the course of an hour we were given ten books, introduced to three teachers who gave a brief overview of what they would teach, and introduced to some twenty-odd students. It was far more information than could be fully retained, and it leaves you with the feeling of having forgotten more than you remembered. Experience tells me that it isn’t true, but after having come through something like that there is a little voice which says, “Oh crap, I remember only a fraction of what happened. There is no way I’ll be able to hack this class.”
By experience I know this isn’t true, but I do have to take a bit of a deep breath.
If this orientation day over-view has given an adequate sense of what is to come, this really is going to be an intensive course. Homework to turn in on the first day of class? Truly, that is hitting the ground running. Classes from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, with only a half hour break for lunch? Sounds like enough to melt brains.
I am sure, absolutely certain, that there will be plenty of days that I will loathe this intensive schedule. But there is also a way in which I will be glad. The less time I am bored, the better. And by the signs, I will not have much time to be bored, at all, in this program.
On a less grand scale–but it still felt noteworthy to me–the classroom appears very nice. I had been under the impression previously that the LPN class would take place in the same room as the CNA course I took in the the spring. This was a rather small, windowless room. It was very stuffy. However, it turns out that the lecture room for the day LPN class is a different room, much more spacious, and (more importantly) one whole wall of this room is filled up with windows. I think this will make my time spent indoors much more bearable.
Of course, a good bit of time will still be spent in the windowless lab, but you take what you can get.
In three weeks, it all begins.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Evan started his orientation yesterday and it goes through Friday for his RN/BSN classes. They actually begin next Wed. He had a similar statement when he came home yesterday – “Wow, I felt like they just spewed information all over us! There is no way anyone could remember it all!” Guess that is a common experience – you are not alone – truly!
I hadn’t remembered that Evan was going for his RN at a local college. It must be nice to have him back home!