Starting Excelsior next month

I graduated from EC three years ago. I did not buy a single study guide. I downloaded the free study guides from EC's website. I bought the books they suggested from www.half.com. You don't have to buy the most current edition. A book 2-4 years old works just fine. Some info just doesn't change. You need to purchase 2-3 books for NC 1 but those same books are the same one's used for NC 2-3 and then onto NC 4 you buy 2-3 more books. The books cost me anywhere from $2.00 to $15.00 a piece. I think the fact that you have to look up all the information, write it down and then study that info makes you retain it far better. Study guides are just the facts. I don't think you learn anything except how to pass the test and empty your wallet at the same time ! I feel that I got a superior education the way I did it. Be care though you have to really stay focused. It's easy to give up. I joined the study group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rnstudygroup/ and there are several others you can find in the yahoo groups home page. This particular site is very active and very thorough. I make friends through the site that I still keep in contact with. They really helped me to keep going. Good luck and hang in there, you can do it!

I am currently in EC's program. I shop around for the books online - like everyone said - you can find them pretty cheap. The yahoo group: rnstudygroup has subgroups called study groups that you can join for each course. You will meet people taking the same class and a great resource for study buddies.
I prefer spending my study time reading the assignments; I figure if I put the super study time in now and really learn the material, perhaps the review for the NCLEX will be less intimidating. I do have some study guides, but I only use them for either an introduction or a review.
Best wishes to you!

You will be surprised how well the NC exams prepare you for the NCLEX! I reviewed about the same as I did for the NC's, followed my usual exam ritual (Starbuck's early that a.m., large coffee while I attempted to review--no point, brain was already saturated), then went to test.

It was almost boring.

Compared to our NC's at EC, the NCLEX was really a walk in the park.

At least that was my experience, but I have read others' posts that said the NCLEX was like NC-8....

I agree. Just shorter.