Need Advice on Study Habits and School

renerian, BSN, RN · Sep 8, 2002

I taped my nursing lectures or tough classes and listened to the tape again later. I also took notes. I used to listen to the tape as I was settling down for the night.

renerian

keylime854 · Sep 8, 2002

As for study tips, I would recommend to tape the lectures, or if your professor provides a lecture outline to use that. At both of my colleges (UGA and Medical College of Georgia) there are outlines avaliable on the internet. These really save a lot of time...and you know what the professor views as important.:)

If an outline is not provided, then you can always pair up with someone and compare notes after class.

Well, I hope that this helps! As for me, I need to go back and hit the books!

Good luck!:roll

Mkue · Sep 8, 2002

Guy, you'll be surprised at how quickly you get in the "groove". I graduated H.S. in 1978 and didn't go back to college until 1998 part-time at first, then full-time. The first class I took was English Comp (in the summer) of all things ! Everyone in the class was 1/2 my age but I didn't care.

As previous posters mentioned, taping the lectures will help, really focus in class, rewrite your notes. Some courses you might want to make flash cards out of index cards (A&P's, Micro etc).

I had an instructor once during a pre-req and he said to "learn everything in class so you don't have to study so much".

Don't ever hesitate to get a tutor IF you have trouble in areas such as math, science, writing.. etc.. many schools have free tutoring to students.

Just try to relax and think positive, it helps to absorb material better. Once you get in the classes, meet some friends and get into study groups, they are fun and everyone helps each other.

There are other threads on this BB too that address study and exam/test tips.

WELCOME !! and good luck to you !

Love-A-Nurse · Sep 9, 2002

since you have already received great advice, i wish say, and all the best to you!

Debbie5 · Sep 9, 2002

Congratulations on your decision to return to school. I am 43 and did pretty much the same thing. I was in sales for most of my post-high school years and after the birth of my first child, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. That was 17 years ago. The kids (four of them) are at a point in their lives where they can be responsible for themselves ( with supervision of course), so now I am back in school.

Sounds like you are taking quite a bit to start but you can handle it. Set up a study schedule for the same time each day if possible. Make sure you write down all of your assignments and organize yourself. I usually go ahead and get the smaller, simpler tasks done first, then move on to the more difficult, challenging tasks.

Reading text: Preview the chapter by reading all the bold print. Study charts, pics, and graphs, read the first paragraph and last paragraph. This will give you a heads up on what you are about to read about. Then read. If you want to outline the chapter after you have read it, do so by using the chapter outline in the front of the book, or some texts have a summary in outline form at the end of the chapter. It is not necessary to take down every thing in the chapter. Read a paragraph and see if you can put it in your own words. I know this is time consuming, however, you will retain so much more. This method is especially helpful with your sciences. I did this for general biology and averaged a 96. I am now taking anatomy and physiology and I am surprised at how much I am understanding this much more detailed info. We are using a second year med school text for physiology and our instructor spent the first day teaching us how to study.

Good luck in all your classes. Remember life is 10% what happens to you and 90% attitude.

allthingsbright · Sep 9, 2002

Hi! I am an "A" student-usually ! What has really helped me is to keep up with the reading. It's time consuming, but in-class lecture makes much more sense and I can just highlight and use marginal notes off of my reading notes.

I usually spend about 2 hrs a day studying, and I devote different days to studying different subjects-just so I can keep them clear in my head. I also make a lot of 3x5 cards for quick reference and to take with me, so if I have a minute I can pull them out anywhere I am at and study. ( I work as a unit secretary, and when things are slow, I discretely pull out my cards and study, study, study.)

Good luck to you-I am 30 and am back in school and it's been an adjustment, but really wonderful, too.

Amy :)