[Seagate]

I know this is somewhat of a general question, but what exactly is the best way to study? I know that I'm supposed to "know" how to study since I got this far (in nursing school) but I never really developed a good way to study.

Here's the current way I study. I go to the library for 5-7 hours with my Saunder's book and I read one chapter at a time. Next day, I do the chapter that I just read on the Saunder's CD under "Study: Content".

The questions from the Study:Content sections I write down in a binder (I have 16 sections there, one for each Study:content chapter).

I have trouble retaining information. Say I'm reading a chapter in the Saunder's book, I highlight what I think is important and also where the red triangle appears, but soon after I forgot what I read.

Is there some kind of trick to remembering facts?

Also, I'm not sure if reading/studying for 5-7 hours is a good idea. I do take breaks every hour or so.

I have also starting taking adderall xr and I think it is helping...

[Eve Ryone]

In the first week of class, one of my teachers handed out a sheet on how to study. It involves first reading only objectives in the beginning of the chapter the headings of a chapter, the highlighted boxes, and making sure you are familiar with the new terms in the beginning. THE N go back and read the chapter. I don't have the sheet electronically, but this website has a similar technique...

Aside from that, I LIVE by flashcards. I use Excel and put the terms on one side and the definitions on the other, but that's only good for facts, not concepts.

Good Luck!

[hubcapgirl]

If I just read out of my text-books I get bored and my mind starts to wander. I take notes while I am reading the text on anything I think I might need to know for the test. Writing the notes makes me pay attention to what I am reading. It takes longer to get through a chapter, but I don't have to re-read anything. Once I'm done with the chapter I study my notes. I find that when I read over my notes most of the information is already stuck in my head. It's worked for me for over a year now.

[lilag02]

My mind wanders when I read and when I listen, LOL! I've learned over the years if I write it down or practice it, it tends to stick in my head better. This is probably why I've always done better in math or science, since you have to actually "do" it to learn it. I'll take notes in lecture and while I'm reading, and then re-write them later, partly because I'm a perfectionist and they have to be neat, and partly because it helps me to remember better. This also helps, because sometimes I'll reorganize the information in a way that better helps me, and I have to think about it to do so. I've also found that flashcards are my friend, because again, I'm writing it first, and then I have to pay attention in order to be able to answer the questions. If I don't make the flashcards, I'll find practice questions and have my husband quiz me over and over, eventually the info sticks.

Fortunately for me, once the information is there, it's not going anywhere. It's just a matter of getting it there in the first place. From what I've seen on here, it seems this should still serve me well once I'm actually in nursing school, but I'll probably need to stock up on paper and index cards. Hmmm, come to think of it maybe I'll invest in the companies stock while I'm at it.

Good luck!

[CuriousMe]

Originally Posted by Seagate

I know this is somewhat of a general question, but what exactly is the best way to study? I know that I'm supposed to "know" how to study since I got this far (in nursing school) but I never really developed a good way to study.

Here's the current way I study. I go to the library for 5-7 hours with my Saunder's book and I read one chapter at a time. Next day, I do the chapter that I just read on the Saunder's CD under "Study: Content".

The questions from the Study:Content sections I write down in a binder (I have 16 sections there, one for each Study:content chapter).

I have trouble retaining information. Say I'm reading a chapter in the Saunder's book, I highlight what I think is important and also where the red triangle appears, but soon after I forgot what I read.

Is there some kind of trick to remembering facts?

Also, I'm not sure if reading/studying for 5-7 hours is a good idea. I do take breaks every hour or so.

I have also starting taking adderall xr and I think it is helping...

Highlighting is a pretty passive way to read....I know it doesn't do anything for me but give me a multicolored text book

I take notes as I'm reading (helps you to read actively) and I also make flashcards out of my lecture notes. I find that making the flash cards helps as much as studying from them.

Best of luck!

Peace,
CuriousMe

[DestinedRN09]

I have the exact same problem as the OP! Nothing sticks and I get bored easily, lol. So it seems the best way to study is review the chapter first just skimming over the key points and terminology, then read while taking notes then review the notes. Honestly I'm in my last year of nursing school and I haven't a consistent way to study. I f I don't use it, I lose it. So I try to review everyday, or when I remember, lol. Also my school provides us with review books and dvds to accompany our textbooks...OMG i dont know what I would have done without those this past year!! Esp for med surge rotation!

To other posters thanks for the advice and keep them coming!!!!

[VistaGirl]

I study in small blocks, no more than an hour at a time, then I get up and do something else, watch a tv show, housework, visit allnurses. It gives my mind time to process what I have just read. I never sit down and study for more than 2 hrs, even with a break. If an exam is coming up I will study in the am and then again in the pm. If I try to do anymore than that I am off track and will have to re-read everything later on.

[lisat380]

I too am taking Adderall and finished Suzanne's 1st tip and it helps to do questions first,test yourself,score higher move on to the next system, u score lower review your weaknesses and the whole chapter from Saunders. Btw, Im a slooow reader and her whole 1st tip took me bout a month and a half to complete. I'm taking my NCLEX-PN for the 2nd time. I was motivated to study for about 4-6 hours a day. I work noc shifts too so when I have time to study, i study. And I study my flashcards too. So it depends most ppl study differently and don't you just hate how some ppl who don't do so well in nursing school eventually pass their NCLEX?? Ugh! I dont know how they do it. ok back to studying.

[tiggerdagibit]

Are you talking about studying for the NCLEX or studying for classes?

For classes, I mainly study my powerpoints. Those contain the main things that my instructor wants us to know for the tests. I sometimes read through the book and make extra notes on what is in the powerpoints to help me understand, but I focus on what they say in class and what is on their powerpoints. I tend to study for a while, then check email/watch something on tv/etc when I realize that I'm just reading and not taking it in. Rinse, repeat. lol

I haven't started studying for the NCLEX yet.

[bsugar888]

Thanks for the info.