"My First Year in Nursing: Major Subject Ratings + Survival Tips"

Hello future RNs and current warriors in nursing! First year was a wild ride filled with all-nighters, reruns, group chats on fire, and of course... a few mental breakdowns here and there. But guess what? I survived! And so will you. Let me walk you through each subject I took, how I personally experienced them, and some tips that helped me stay afloat. Hopefully this helps you too. :)

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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSING LEC
Rating: 8.5/10
A&P lecture was one of those subjects that felt like a maze at first. Everything’s connected: muscles, organs, cells, systems—you name it. I quickly realized this wasn’t a class you could just memorize for. You had to understand it. What made it challenging was how detailed everything was. You needed a solid grasp of each system, or you’d easily get lost, especially once the topics started building on each other.
Tip: Don’t move on to the next system until you really understand the one before it. I used to watch crash course videos after class, re-read my notes, and try to explain concepts to myself in simple terms. Use visual aids like diagrams and coloring books, too!

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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSING LAB
Rating: 9.5/10
Now this was one of my absolute favorites. Our lab instructor is a doctor, and he made each session engaging and unforgettable. He balanced being strict and chill so well that we respected his authority but also looked forward to his jokes and random stories. The best part? We never left his class empty-handed—we always walked away learning something useful.
From bone identification to organ systems and anatomical models, I genuinely enjoyed touching and seeing things up close. There’s something about seeing the heart model while learning about blood flow that makes everything click. But warning: expect a moving exam at the end. You’ll be given only a few seconds per station to identify bones, muscles, or organs. It’s fast-paced and stressful if you’re not prepared. Memorizing all those anatomical parts—from the smallest bone in the hand to the deepest muscle group—takes serious time and effort. It’s not just memorization, it’s fast recall under pressure.
Tip: Don’t cram. Start reviewing lab models and charts early on. Use labeling apps or flashcards to quiz yourself. Practice identifying parts on diagrams and physical models, and simulate a mock moving exam with friends using a timer.

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BIOCHEMISTRY FOR NURSING LEC
Rating: 7/10
Okay… confession time. Biochem really wasn’t my forte. The chemical equations, the pathways, and all those enzymes made me feel like I was in chemistry class all over again—but now with a medical twist.
It was tough, and there were many moments I just sat there with my notes open, not knowing where to start. But what helped me push through was trying to relate it to real-life body processes—like how glucose works or what happens to food after digestion.
Tip: Try drawing pathways and color-coding enzymes. Also, link topics to diseases or conditions (like diabetes) so you can better understand their relevance.

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BIOCHEMISTRY FOR NURSING LAB
Rating: 8/10
Despite my struggles with the lecture, I surprisingly enjoyed the lab side. It felt like we were scientists in training—mixing solutions, using pipettes, and learning how to handle lab equipment properly. I still remember the first time we used a spectrophotometer. I was both confused and amazed.
It was hands-on and gave life to the theory we learned. The experiments may not always go as planned (spoiler: mine didn’t), but they helped me grasp the bigger picture.
Tip: Read the lab manual before the session. It’ll save you a ton of confusion during the actual experiment. Also, be meticulous and record every observation no matter how minor.

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THEORETICAL FOUNDATION OF NURSING (TFN)
Rating: 9/10
This is honestly one of my favorite subjects. Some people find it boring because it’s all about theories, but our instructor made it so enjoyable. She told real-life stories from her clinical experience that helped bring all those abstract ideas to life.
Instead of seeing nursing theories as just names and dates, I started seeing them as guiding lights in how we care for others. I especially loved learning how theories influenced the way we interact with patients, families, and healthcare systems.
Tip: Create flashcards for each theorist and their contribution. Then, write personal reflections or real-life examples on how they apply. This makes them stick better than just memorizing definitions.

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MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY LEC
Rating: 7.5/10
One word: spelling. The names of parasites and bacteria were a mouthful and a headache. I still mix up Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia sometimes. But all in all, it was fascinating to learn about these tiny creatures and how they impact human health.
The class opened my eyes to the unseen world—how contamination happens, why handwashing matters, and how diseases spread. It made me more conscious of hygiene in everyday life.
Tip: Use mnemonics to remember organisms. Also, relate them to real-life diseases so you don’t forget what they do.

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MICROBIOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY LAB
Rating: 8/10
Handling microscopes, preparing slides, and viewing actual parasites under the lens? Wild. It made me feel like a true healthcare detective. Sometimes the samples were a bit icky, but they were real, and that made the learning stick.
Our lab sessions were a mix of excitement and pressure because one wrong move and you could mess up your results. Still, it taught me to be patient, precise, and observant.
Tip: Always label everything correctly and practice adjusting the microscope. The clearer your slide, the easier your life gets.

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HEALTH ASSESSMENT LEC
Rating: 8/10
This subject required a lot of note-taking and mental discipline. It taught me the language of assessment—how to observe, ask, and evaluate patients. At first, it felt very theoretical, but it later became something I appreciated so much more once we did hands-on practice.
What helped me most was organizing my notes by system (respiratory, cardiovascular, etc.) and summarizing normal vs. abnormal findings. Because trust me, during quizzes and return demos, your brain will thank you.
Tip: Take organized notes and rewatch demos. It helps to actually try the techniques at home (on willing family or friends) so your hands remember what your brain is learning.

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HEALTH ASSESSMENT RLE
Rating: 9.5/10
This is where the magic of Health Assessment came alive. Our clinical instructors were such a great duo—they made every lab day exciting, interactive, and fun. They didn’t just throw skills at us. They walked with us through every step, made us laugh, challenged our skills, and made sure we understood the why behind every maneuver.
Even during the quizzes, we were motivated to study hard, not just to pass, but to really be ready for actual patient encounters. I now see how important that foundation is.
Tip: Always prepare the night before. Read procedures, practice on friends, or record yourself doing mock assessments.

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HEALTH EDUCATION
Rating: 8/10
This one was more on the chill side but equally important. It taught us how to communicate effectively, especially with different types of patients. We learned how to teach health concepts in ways people can understand—simple, clear, and respectful.
I also loved doing health teaching projects where we created visual aids and planned out sessions for communities or small groups. It gave me a glimpse of how big an impact nurses can make outside the hospital.
Tip: Master how to make teaching plans early on. You’ll use them again and again. Also, get comfortable with public speaking—even just small group sharing will help you down the line.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE LEC
Rating: 8.5/10
This was the core of what nursing is all about. From ethics to basic procedures and care principles, it taught us everything we needed to start thinking and acting like nurses.
I found the lectures heavy at times, especially when paired with the RLE, but it really helped when I linked the concepts from lecture to our skills in practice. Listening actively in class paid off a lot.
Tip: Don’t underestimate the value of small tasks. Learning proper technique now prevents injury to you or your patient later. Also, correlate what you learn here with your RLE. It helps connect the dots.

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FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE RLE
Rating: 10/10
The return demos. The nerve-wracking silence of your clinical instructor watching your every move. The panic when you forget Step 14. IYKYK.
But honestly, this subject made me fall in love with nursing even more. Despite the long hours, sleep deprivation, and shaky hands during demos, our instructors made the experience worthwhile. Their humor, support, and high standards made us push harder.
Tip: Create demo practice groups. Use step-by-step checklists and quiz each other on the rationales. Record yourself practicing to see what needs improvement. Most importantly, sleep well before the demo day—you’ll perform better.

First year wasn't easy, but it was absolutely transformative. Every subject, no matter how boring or stressful it seemed at first, played a part in shaping the nurse I’m becoming. My biggest tip? Learn with heart. Don’t just memorize. Understand. Don’t just pass. Connect. Nursing isn’t just a career, it’s a calling, and these first-year subjects lay the foundation for the rest of the journey.

If you're reading this as a future or current first year, I see you. You're not alone. You're capable. And you’ll make it, one subject (and coffee) at a time. To all first year warriors out there, padayon lang!

✨ Next Week: "An Open Letter to My Self as a Nursing Student"
💌 A heartfelt reflection I didn’t know I needed—written for the version of me who braved this journey with shaky hands and a stubborn heart. If you’ve ever questioned your path or just need a reminder of how far you’ve come, this one's for you.