Hi. As I type, I am supposed to be studying for a big exam tomorrow morning at 9 AM. Even though I graduate on 12/7, wrapping up my degree is the furthest thing on my mind right now. My surgery is scheduled for December, 12 @ 07:30 AM. My pre-op diet begins on 11/28. All I can think about is my upcoming VSG, Vitamins, discomfort, excess skin, and what-ifs. My mind keeps wandering. How does everyone focus on the now? I have finished my insurance hurdles, I have had my pre-op appointment, and I am scheduled. I know that my degree is very important, I have worked very hard, yet all of a sudden my brain has been taken over. When I turned thirty, I resigned myself to being unhealthy. Then the impossible became a very big possible for me. Now it isn't just possible, it is scheduled to begin! It's still three weeks away and I have work to do. Any tips or tricks?

Thanks for listening!

What it's are nothing else but a pretext for failure. Don't set yourself up. Believe in what will be. I had all those emotions as well. I'm only three days out, but I know that I need to stick to the plan, follow the instructions, these things are tried and true. Believe in your self and continue to see "what will be."

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Mine is scheduled for 12/7....I am also in school and that will be week 7 of an 8 week term. I'm trying to plow through it and just get it all done before I go in. Keeping my mind occupied is the only thing keeping me from just canceling because I'm so nervous!

I've worked in Higher Education for over 25 years so I understand the very real challenge anxiety can have when approaching the end of your studies. I've seen many students have a difficult time finishing up, not because their last courses are that difficult, but the immensity of the transition they are about to go through can become overwhelming. That's over and above the anxiety of an approaching surgery (My surgery date is on Nov. 30, next week and I've had a difficult time concentrating at work).

Here's my advice:

1. Start thinking of your finals as one of the preparatory steps for your surgery. If you think of it as another milestone that must be overcome on the way to your date, it might help you from thinking of the surgery as a distraction and more as the end result of your studies.

2. Take your tasks and break them into smaller, achievable goals. If you know your final is going to cover chapters 11-20, sit with your calendar and put down an hour in which you're going to review each of those chapters before your final. It's easier to think of accomplishing an hour of study, than thinking of focusing on 10 chapters. Between those times give yourself permission to wallow a bit in thinking about the surgery. Reread your literature and any books you might have bought on your way to your decision. Create a packing list for the hospital. Make sure your arrangements to and from the hospital are made in detail.

3. If you haven't already, plan a celebration for yourself for finishing your degree. Planning some of those details may take your mind off all the what-if scenarios you're playing in your head that you really won't be able to address until the surgery is done.

Good luck on your degree and on your upcoming surgery. This is going to be such a huge and wonderful transition for you!

I hear yeah my wife has her rny tomorrow and mine is next tuesday, also finals week is next week (same week as my surg) and I just took the nursing entrance exam today, boy has it been stress filled but eye on the prizes. Keep your head up and you can do this.

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I hear yeah my wife has her rny tomorrow and mine is next tuesday, also finals week is next week (same week as my surg) and I just took the nursing entrance exam today, boy has it been stress filled but eye on the prizes. Keep your head up and you can do this.

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Yes, I hear you! I am finishing up my RN/ADN right now, but it will also be my first degree. Thank you! Keep looking forward and you will make it.

@@Alfred Day... That was everything that I needed to hear. I don't have the words exactly, but you hit the heart of this brain chaos and made it make sense. I am really glad that someone with your experience stumbled across my post, thank you.