Gear Up for Success: The Ultimate Pre-University Checklist  

It’s always good to be prepared when embarking on a new journey. Here’s a helpful nursing school preparation checklist, reproduced from How to Make It As A Student Nurse by Claire Carmichael. We hope that you find it useful to keep on top of things!  

• Have you completed, signed and submitted all your finance applications? 

• Have you had your occupational health appointment at university? 

• Do you have your start date? If not, call the university school office in case there has been a glitch in the system. 

• Do you have everything you need for university? Pens, paper, fob watch, shoes, etc.? 

• Do you have your accommodation arranged if you’re moving out? 

• If you are an international student or new to the area, have you registered with a doctor/general practitioner? The university can help with this. 

• Get your head around the room numbers and location. Do a walk around the university to get yourself orientated to the layout of rooms 

• Take time to find your feet around the university 

• Download and print your yearly calendar 

• Download and print your exam/assignment timetable and prioritize what comes first 

• Check out what events are going on at your university and take part. This will help you get to know other people 

• Make the most of extracurricular activities outside your nursing studies. This will take your mind off deadlines and keep you motivated. 

• Don’t forget to take some time out for YOU. This course can be intense, and you will need the support of your family and friends as well as alone time to rest and recharge 

• Email and meet your tutor, they’re your first point of contact if you need anything, along with the module leaders. Look to them for references when you are seeking your first nursing job. 

• Have a look around your library and ask for an induction on how to get books and use their website, etc. The library also can help you look for articles and journals for your assignments 

• If you don’t know something, ask and don’t be scared to put your hand up! More than likely, everyone else is thinking the same thing. 

• If you’re struggling, please talk to someone- friends, personal tutor, lecturer. Your university might have a counselling service you can access too. Just make sure you get the help you need. Never suffer in silence.