Buying textbooks - study guides?

merei · Jan 2, 2005

When you buy your textbooks, do you normally purchase the study guides that go along with them?

Hi, I'm a lurker here, but wanted to throw my .02 in... :)

All of the books we've used in my program came with study guides, and many of our test questions over the past 4 quarters have been similar, as well as some of the diagraming. I try to always use my study guide, answering the ones I know, and checking them and then going back over the information for the ones I didn't know until I'm positive I've got it.

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jan 2, 2005

I took some of the transition courses this past summer, but have not actually taken any nursing courses until next week. But, the transition courses, the study guides really did help. Taking quizes and being able to take your knowledge and apply it helps a lot. I also found out that we will have case studies every test. They give us symptoms and background and then we have to answer questions related to this picture.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Jan 2, 2005

I always purchase the extra study guides/CD'd. They really help me. I have to have repetition for book material to sink in :imbar , but if your memory is sharp and your a fast learner you probably don't need them.

beautimouslove · Jan 3, 2005

always get as much info for ur classes, whether u are a FAST LEARNER OR NOT! the more u know the better nurse u will be... always be above the bar.

jennifer

manna, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

I'm just not sure I'd use them enough to justify the expense. Still debating, hoping to order books tomorrow morning sometime. :)

mariedoreen · Jan 3, 2005

It depends on how you study. I've always bought the study guides (even when optional) and used them as a study tool. It seems to help me to better understand the material and helps me to be better prepared for the exams. If you're not the type of person that uses study guides to help you learn the material (and some people just don't need them), then you'll just be wasting your money.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

Absolutely! The study guide I found to be most helpful is my Med/surg study guide by Lewis. It just gives you the extra help for exams etc. I didn't think of getting one for Lowdermilk or my Wong but I'm sure they are great buys as well.

LauraLou · Jan 3, 2005

I have study guides for most of my textbooks but I never use them. I should have saved the money. Our test questions come mostly from material covered in lecture, not from the textbook.

blue eyes · Jan 3, 2005

I'm just not sure I'd use them enough to justify the expense. Still debating, hoping to order books tomorrow morning sometime. :)

I don't think I'd use them enough either. Actually, I've never seen study guides in the university bookshop. However, I do buy the unit modules each semester which we can pick up from the university library and prescribed + recommended text books.

fotografe · Jan 3, 2005

I'm just not sure I'd use them enough to justify the expense. Still debating, hoping to order books tomorrow morning sometime. :)

Buy them, copy the pages to write on instead of writing in the guide, then sell it when you are done. You'll have spent a fraction of what the book cost and still have gotten the benefit.

LeesieBug · Jan 3, 2005

I bought one once, found it useless and felt ripped off...haven't touched one since. Don't know about anywhere else, but here study guides have practically no value when you sell them back at the end of the semester, whether they are written in or not.

I DO like books that come with the CD's that have practice questions. I find those more useful for my classes