Day in the Life: Pre-nursing student
On the day of the pharmacology test, pre-nursing student Abbey Walker arrived early: "The entire parking lot is deserted. I have never seen anything like this. It is a beautiful sight."
Pre-nursing student Abbey Walker makes her home in Seminary with her husband, Taylor, and her poodle, Pepper. A junior honors scholar, Abbey lives by Philippians 4:6-7 and plans to start the RN-BSN program at William Carey University in the spring. She’s on break now until Jan. 14, but in this “day in the life” story, she looks back at an important pharmacology test.
By Abbey WalkerWCU studentIt’s Christmas break now, and I intend to bake a ton of good food, take my dog on lots of walks, and celebrate the year and my Savior’s birth with all my family. There will definitely be studying mixed in there, but until Jan. 14 it will be nice to just relax. Just a few weeks ago, though, all I could think about was getting through a big test.
Here’s what the day was like:
- After a couple hours of sleep, the alarm buzzes. I have long commute ahead, and I am momentarily jealous of people who live on campus. Then my dog licks me on the nose, and I am thankful to live at home. I am also thankful for the reminder to get up and wash my face.
- This morning I have a pharmacology test, and I am (naturally) stopped by every single stoplight on Highway 49. I was prepared for this, however, and left the house extra early. I usually use the time at stoplights to do my makeup, but this morning I am not late, and I keep both hands on the wheel at all times like a good citizen.
- Finally, I arrive. Most mornings I stare with longing at all the full parking spots closest to the door. This morning, as class doesn’t start for 45 minutes, the entire parking lot is deserted. I have never seen anything like this. It is a beautiful sight. Maybe I should be early more often!
- When I get to class, there is a nervous energy in the air. I obsessively look over my notes, knowing good and well that if I don’t know the information by now, I’m not going to know it at all. This last-minute cramming seems to make us students feel better, however, and the room is silent until the professor walks in.
- One of the best things about William Carey is the Christian environment. The professor asks if we would like to pray, and we all say yes. Another student leads it, and she asks for peace to settle our minds. When I open my eyes, I exhale and feel calm. I send a quick “thank you” to the man upstairs.
- Test time. It’s online and we have 35 minutes to complete it. I spent more than 12 hours studying for this test. Whether I pass or fail will be determined in the next half-hour. I almost laugh. Almost.
- When the last question is answered, I hit submit. The emotion of submitting a test can be compared to nothing else. Peace and paranoia, relief and anxiety, flood me all at once. I walk out of the room with a blank expression.
- Classmates who finished before me are congregated in the front of the building. I hear their laughter and chatter floating down the hall and head that way. We talk and joke and cheer each other up. It feels good. By the time we graduate, I know we will be thick as thieves.
- We return to class feeling better. Now that the test is over, we can all breathe. But it is time to start the next PowerPoint. I would like to bang my head on the table, but instead I whip out a pencil and get to copying.
- An hour later, my hand is screaming in resistance. I tell it to shut up and keep writing. When this is all over, I will either win a championship title in hand strength, or I will need carpal tunnel surgery. Probably the latter.
- At the end of the day, my brain hurts and I drag myself and my 20-pound backpack to my car. Once home, I can relax! For a nursing student, this means sitting on the couch reading over notes and highlighting passages in books while a television plays in the background. Oh, and there is always a bowl of snacks somewhere nearby.
- When I lay down at night, I think, why am I putting myself through this? I suppose every nursing student has their own answer. For me, it is simply that I what my life to have meaning, and what is more meaningful than devoting your life to helping others?
- Soon, I get my test score back. It is a pass. With studying, dedication, and the Lord’s will, they will hopefully all be passes. If one day those numbers don’t equal a pass – and I am sure that day will come – I will remember my “why?” and keep on trekking.
- Editor’s note: She did a lot better than pass. Way to go, Abbey, we’re proud of you.