So I have survived my first week back of my last semester. Last Friday, we met with our professors and discussed what this semester was going to be like. According to them, it's not supposed to be too hard on us. Then they got to talking about the NCLEX and that got me a little worried. This test is going to give me acceptance into the nursing world.

We had to decide what state we wanted to be licensed in, and for me, that was easy because all I want to do is work in Boston when I get out. But it was hard for some other girls, like the ones who come to school here, but live in New Jersey. It was kind of an on-the-spot decision that I wish the teachers had prepared us better for.

I finally got in touch with my preceptor for my clinical practice. She sounds awesome and really excited to have me aboard on the floor. We set up some days when I can work because I have to start chipping away at my 160 hours. I'm going into Boston tomorrow to get my identification badge. Even though my preceptor is so nice, I am still nervous about dealing with the patients and the workload. It's pretty nerve-racking to think about what I'm going to be doing. But I have great support from my boyfriend, friends, and family who know I will do a great job.

Last time, I said I would tell you all about my three-day NCLEX review. Well, it was nothing like I had anticipated.

At first, the instructor went over with us the process of the exam: where we have to sign up and how to go about getting our test date. She gave us a list of little helpful hints for test-taking. Most of the things related to being confident, staying positive, and reading carefully not slowly. She made some good points about not conducting a test "post mortem," which is going over all the answers and questions with someone else. (I'm sure all of you have seen those people that ask you what you got for this question and that one when they get out of the test.) I, on the other hand, am one those people who blacks out when I take a test and never remembers the questions. Anyway, this was all very helpful, but it kind of went downhill from there.

After the tips, she had us take a practice test and count the number of questions we got wrong. Some of the students did really poorly, while others did all right. The test was hard because we didn't have a chance to study. Then we proceeded to HIGHLIGHT important ideas in the med-surg section. It was so boring. And we did this for three days! I honestly don't know if highlighting helps anything. When I was in California for the National Student Nurse Association convention last year, I learned that highlighting does nothing; it only distracts you from the content. I don't know how this is going to help me for my NCLEX.

That's about it this week. I start my clinical experience next Wednesday. I have three days of work set up so far and am really nervous, but I know it's going to be hard work and a great experience. But before we get to that, next time, I'll be telling you how my first full day of class went. I think I'm going to hate Mondays . . .

Editor's note: Chelsea's column "Last Semester" appears weekly, exclusively on StressedOutNurses.com.