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Life as a first-year nursing student runs almost entirely on a timetable. Every hour of the day seems planned, and sometimes it feels like the day moves faster than we can keep up with. It’s busy, exhausting, and often overwhelming, but it’s also a completely new experience that slowly shapes us into future nurses.
My day usually begins with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. There isn’t much time to sit around or relax in the morning. Everyone eats quickly because the bus arrives at 8:15 a.m. on regular days. Missing the bus would mean missing classes, so mornings are usually rushed. Bags are packed, uniforms are straightened, and everyone hurries out to make it on time.
Some days are different when we have hospital postings. On those days, we have to report to the hospital by 8:00 a.m., which means the day starts even earlier. Walking into the hospital wearing the nursing uniform feels both exciting and a little intimidating. Everything suddenly feels real — the patients, the nurses, the hospital environment, and the responsibility that comes with being there. Even though we are only first-year students, being in the hospital makes us feel like we are stepping into the real world of healthcare.
By the time noon comes around, the day already feels long. For hostellers, the lunch bus arrives at 12:15 p.m. to take us back to the hostel. Lunch is more of a quick break than a relaxing meal. Most of the time, we eat quickly, chat with friends for a few minutes, and then head back.
The next class starts at 1:30 p.m. Afternoon lectures continue until 3:45 p.m. After a busy morning and lunch break, staying fully focused in class can be challenging. But nursing subjects require attention and effort because there is so much to learn. From learning about the human body to studying patient care, every class adds something new to our knowledge.
After classes, we have meditation from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. These thirty minutes feel like the calmest part of the entire day. After rushing from one thing to another, meditation gives us a moment to slow down and breathe.
Once meditation is over, we return to the hostel. Even there, the day is not completely free. There are small chores to do, things to arrange, and sometimes just time needed to freshen up after a long and tiring day.
Dinner time is between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. By then, most of us are already tired from the day’s schedule. After dinner, it’s time to study. Nursing is not a course where you can simply attend classes and relax afterwards. There are always notes to revise, topics to understand, and lessons to prepare for the next day.
By the time the day finally ends, everyone is ready to sleep. The schedule is tight, and sometimes it feels like there is barely any time to breathe. But slowly, day by day, we get used to it and learn to keep going.
By
Adrijalakshmi Unnikrishnan
Nursing Student, Sri Sri Institute Of Nursing, Bangalore