The Peel — Fall Edition

The start of a new semester always feels like a balancing act. Between adjusting to class schedules, clinical rotations, study groups, and personal commitments, it can be easy to feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But remember: success in nursing school isn’t about doing everything at once — it’s about finding small systems and habits that keep you steady when the workload grows.

This edition of The Peel is all about creating momentum. Think of it as your weekly check-in: one NCLEX question to sharpen your test-prep skills, one practical recipe to take the stress out of mealtime, and one resume tip to remind you that resources exist to support your journey. Each piece is designed to lighten your load, even just a little, so you can focus on the bigger picture: becoming the kind of nurse you want to be.

And if you’re looking for flexible, paid experience that fits around your schedule: Grapefruit Health provides nursing students the opportunity to support patients remotely — paid, from home, on your own time.

Applications for fall are still open, so it’s the perfect time to get involved.

NCLEX Preparation

Question of the Week 📚

Meal Prep Corner 🧑‍🍳

When you need something quick, healthy, and portable, energy bites are a lifesaver. They’re simple to prep, last all week in the fridge, and give you steady fuel between classes or during long clinicals. We’re loving these No-Bake Energy Bites from Get Inspired Everyday:

• 5 Ingredients, 10 Minutes: Rolled oats, nut butter, honey, chocolate chips, and ground flaxseed.

• Budget-Friendly: All pantry staples — no special shopping trips needed.

• Endless Variations: Add dried fruit, coconut flakes, or chia seeds to mix it up.

• Portable: Roll them into small balls and pack them in a container — easy to grab on your way out the door.

💡 Pro tip: Make a double batch on Sunday night. You’ll thank yourself on Thursday when you’re running low on both time and energy.

Fall Study Advice 📖

Studying in nursing school isn’t just about putting in hours — it’s about making those hours count. Here are three strategies that can help you retain more while stressing less:

1. Teach It Back

• After reviewing a topic, try explaining it out loud as if you’re teaching a patient or classmate.

• If you stumble, that’s a sign you need to revisit the material.

• Teaching forces you to simplify complex concepts — a skill that’s critical for both NCLEX and clinical practice.

2. Use Mixed Practice

• Instead of studying one subject for hours, rotate between topics (e.g., 30 minutes of pharmacology, then 30 minutes of med-surg).

• Research shows this “interleaving” method helps your brain make stronger connections and improves recall.

3. Make It Active

• Flashcards, NCLEX practice apps, and whiteboards beat passive rereading every time.

• Write out drug names, lab values, or care plans — the physical act of recalling and writing cements memory better than highlighting a textbook ever could.

💡 Pro tip: If you only have 20 minutes before class, don’t reread notes. Quiz yourself instead. Active recall, even in short bursts, is one of the highest-yield strategies you can use.

Career Tips 🏥

Even as a student, you’re already building your nursing resume. A few easy ways to get ahead:

• Track your clinicals: Keep a running list of units, skills, and cases you’ve experienced. These details make interviews easier later.

• Show leadership: Tutoring, organizing a study group, or joining student orgs all count.

• Secure references early: Ask professors or preceptors for recommendations while your work is fresh in their mind.

💡 Pro tip: Don’t wait until graduation — small steps now make your transition into nursing much smoother.

Freshly Squeezed Jokes 🍊

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One Last Thing 💡

Nursing school asks a lot from you — time, focus, energy — and it’s easy to feel stretched thin. That’s why little systems matter: a go-to snack you can prep in minutes, a study strategy that saves hours, or a quick step that builds your future career. None of these things feel huge in the moment, but together, they keep you steady and moving forward.

This week, pick one small thing to try — maybe it’s rolling a batch of energy bites, testing out active recall, or jotting down your clinical experiences. Progress in nursing isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency. You’ve got this. And when it feels like a lot, remember: we’re here in your corner every step of the way.

—
The Grapefruit Health Team