u/ntb899

Hey everyone,

I’m a 28-year-old guy in nursing school, and I’m finding the workload and fatigue way harder than I expected.

For context, this is my third degree. I previously did a Bachelor of Science double major psychology and computer science and then a Master’s in Computer Science (both completed). I did well academically in both, A's and A+'s, (except for first year of first degree), and over the years I built pretty strong study habits that helped learn to actually study (I started my first degree with terrible academic performance) but finished with top marks in every course. Even last semester, while taking nursing prereqs, I was able to study from around 9 a.m. to 5-9 p.m. (depending on what was due) and still function pretty well.

But now that I’m in my BScN program, I’m finding that after lectures I am completely wiped out. It feels different from normal tiredness. Yesterday, for example, I was so exhausted after class that I felt like I had a migraine and could barely look at my laptop to read.

I’m trying to figure out what’s going on. It could be the longer/faster lectures, the volume of content, stress, nutrition, or just not being in the best physical shape right now. I also haven’t received my student loan yet, so my food situation has not been ideal, and I’m mostly packing whatever lunches I can from food my siblings have bought.

I do think I need to start taking my health more seriously. I want to add exercise back into my routine, but I’m worried about whether working out after class will help my energy over time or just drain me even more. Will it change the more I do it again? I'm 5ft 9inch tall, and about 150 ib, so im normal bmi.

For anyone who has dealt with this kind of nursing school exhaustion:

• Did your energy improve once you got into a routine?
• Did exercise help, especially if you went right after class?
• What kind of workout schedule was realistic during nursing school?
• Did nutrition, sleep, hydration, or meal timing make a big difference for you?
• At what point would you consider checking in with a doctor about fatigue?

I was thinking of doing 1 to 2 hours at the gym Monday to Friday, maybe chest/back, arms, legs, abs, and cardio, but I’m wondering if that’s too ambitious while adjusting to the semester.

Would appreciate any advice from other nursing students, especially mature students or people who came into nursing after another degree.

TL;DR: I’m a 28-year-old nursing student on my third degree, and nursing school is making me unusually exhausted after lectures in a way I haven’t experienced before. I’m wondering if this is normal nursing school fatigue, a nutrition/sleep/stress issue, or a fitness issue. For those who have dealt with this, did exercise and a better routine help, and what kind of workout schedule was actually realistic during nursing school?