A delicate balance

That's where I find myself these days -- in a delicate balance between being unbelievably excited for everything I'm about to learn, and overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of work I have ahead of me.

I keep reminding myself of the various wisdoms shared by the 'older' nursing students:

• There's going to be a learning curve. It'll take time to adjust to the professors, class schedule, and being a full-time student.
  
• I don't have to make straight-A's. (But wouldn't it be nice?)
  
• I will, in fact, make mistakes.
• It will be impossible to finish all of the readings.
  
• At some point, I'll probably cry.

It kind of makes me want to cry right now, just to get it over with.

Then I remember, this will all be worth it. I'm going to be learning things that will help me throughout my career. School has a direction -- and a purpose! Someday, I will provide skilled and compassionate care for my patients. I might even be good at it.

With any luck, practice really will make perfect.