How Long Did It Take For You To Learn Your Study Style?

[Shookclays, ASN, BSN, CNA, RN]

It's only day two but we have an exam next week and this instructor doesn't give study guides. She only lectures from PowerPoints and we have homework on Evolve(which I love). The first day was tough because these questions are of course different and you have to put what you've learned into a particular scenario. The only way I have taken notes is trying to write down the PowerPoint while she's talking(failed), then I tried highlighting the parts she went over in the book and that seems to help. But the only clear notes I've taken is from Evolve homework because we're quizzed afterwards. You can also create your own quiz based on your weak points in the topic(s). Its so hard to find a study/note taking style without knowing what's on the exam.

How and when did you find yours for fundamentals etc...?

[Paola2319]

Good question since I'll be starting fundamental next week

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Oh my. As an educator, I am dismayed with any instructor's failure to adhere to basic evidence-based teaching practices.

Lecturers should always provide some sort of "scaffold" document that provides an outline of the topics being discussed.... some use PP notes pages. This helps students to follow the teacher's train of thought and make note of the major concepts rather than simply scrambling to "take dictation" and record every word that is said. In the latter case, students are so focused on writing that they don't have any time to reflect on what is being said. Without 'reflection' (thinking about thinking), the information will NEVER make it past short term memory .. so according to cognitive science, no "learning" is taking place.

The shortage of nursing education faculty means that schools are scrambling for anyone who meets the minimum required credentials. I can assure you - an garden-variety MSN or PhD does NOT include sufficient curriculum focused on the discipline of education. At the same time, schools don't have the funding to provide much professional development to train new teachers, especially if those newbies are just adjunct faculty. This is why a well-regarded, traditional program (with tenured faculty) will always be able to provide a much better educational experience for its students.

If your instructor is not willing to provide you with a copy of the PP slide deck, can you just ask your instructor for some sort of outline?

[Shookclays, ASN, BSN, CNA, RN]

Oh my. As an educator, I am dismayed with any instructor's failure to adhere to basic evidence-based teaching practices.

Lecturers should always provide some sort of "scaffold" document that provides an outline of the topics being discussed.... some use PP notes pages. This helps students to follow the teacher's train of thought and make note of the major concepts rather than simply scrambling to "take dictation" and record every word that is said. In the latter case, students are so focused on writing that they don't have any time to reflect on what is being said. Without 'reflection' (thinking about thinking), the information will NEVER make it past short term memory .. so according to cognitive science, no "learning" is taking place.

The shortage of nursing education faculty means that schools are scrambling for anyone who meets the minimum required credentials. I can assure you - an garden-variety MSN or PhD does NOT include sufficient curriculum focused on the discipline of education. At the same time, schools don't have the funding to provide much professional development to train new teachers, especially if those newbies are just adjunct faculty. This is why a well-regarded, traditional program (with tenured faculty) will always be able to provide a much better educational experience for its students.

If your instructor is not willing to provide you with a copy of the PP slide deck, can you just ask your instructor for some sort of outline?

Thank you! You seem like an amazing educator. My instructor has said that she was going to give us an online copy but each day we have to remind her to upload them and it never happens. The test is Tuesday and we have yet to take notes effectively besides taking Evolve notes and reading/comprehend the important points in the book.

[Scottishtape]

It took me a bit to figure it my learning style.

To make sure I was getting what I needed, I tackled my studies (and still do) combining all learning styles.

Example:

This week, I have 4 chapters to learn covering renal issues. First, I read each chapter. That covers visual. As I read, I weite it a study guide, that covers tactile. Then, since we don't have lecture, I have my husband read my study guide to me over each chapter, then quiz me on the information contained in the study guides.

Its time consuming, but well worth it.

Study tips that have helped:

* Never neglect the learning questions

* Always pay attention to boxes within the text

* For disease processes, its helpful to make your study guide like this: Patho, S/S, medical management, nursing management, teaching, meds. That way, you are not only learning the information you need for each disease process, but you're learning it in relation to itself. There are a ton of meds that are used for renal issues, but which ones are specific to say, Polynephritis?

*Utilize adaptive quizzing on Evolve (or any other testing bank) for each topic/chapter. The more application questions you can do, the better!

These are things that help me, and many of my classmates, hopefully, they'll help you too!

Good luck!

[AliNajaCat]

If your instructor is not willing to provide you with a copy of the PP slide deck, can you just ask your instructor for some sort of outline?

I used to hand out "note-taking outlines" for my lecture classes. That way they didn't have to write so much, and they had a structure to use to fill in gaps from further study or review materials. It also signaled what was important. Worked out pretty well. I printed them on tinted paper so they were easy to find in the pile o' crap in the binder or backpack.