Passed First Semester-now I need your help

[BeccaC623]

First semester was harder than I gave it credit for- I did well on the first two tests (94% on each), got cocky, and my last 3 grades were significantly lower. I still ended up with a B in the course, but I know I can do better than that, I just don't know how to study.

Any study tips? I am starting a study group because I know that discussing the material helps, but do you guys have any tips for studying on my own? I get so frustrated because I never had to study before so I felt like I'd been "thrown to the lions," but not by anyone but myself.

Also, my back started to hurt from lugging around my textbooks, binders, and my laptop in my backpack. Any recommendations for a rolling briefcase that's not TOO expensive but can hold multiple 1900+ page books? Last semester I only had my one fundamentals class plus clinical (8 credit hours total) and next semester I have med/surg and OB.

Thank you all for the advice I've seen on here, I may not post often, but I look through the threads and see a lot of great ideas thrown around.

[BeccaC623]

This won't help you sell your books back, but I took my books to Kinko's and had the binding cut off and the pages hole punched and put in a binder. Then I took the pages I needed for each exam and put them in my power point binder so I wasn't lugging things around. That doesn't help with your studying techniques, however it might help save your back

That's a great idea! I have no intention of selling my books back at all, I figured I'd keep them for reference. Do you know about how much it cost you?

[PapaBearRN, BSN]

ClassyBoxer-thanks for the advice! A lot of teachers won't let us record their lecture but I will definitely ask the ones for next semester. I didn't even think about breaking down the chapters into sections, I was trying to just plug away at reading every single word in the chapter all at once...I guess that's not too good of a use of my time, is it?

I used to do that, then I realized I didn't remember anything haha. It's unfortunate that a lot of instructors don't allow recording of their lectures, doesn't really accommodate the auditory learners. A lot of students in my program will just record the lectures from their desks on their phones.

[BBB<3]

Idk how I would manage without Tegrity. So thankful our program requires their professors to record a lecture in their office and upload it online that way we can listen to it whenever and as much as we can. Ours is a closed program where others can't access it but you may be able to google lectures and find a few online. Also if you create an evolve/Elsiver account you can find some online extras for free.

[Grateful.Mom]

Practice NCLEX questions. Get a review book, Saunders, and whatever review book goes with your text book. Also, Davis' Success books, Med-surge Success, etc.

[JCBSN76]

I personally used the Nclex 10,000 (online practice questions) to prep for exams. It helps train your mind to think through nursing exam questions and it also shows you where your weaknesses lie.

[BeccaC623]

Thank you for all the advice everyone! I'll definitely be taking it all into account for next semester. :)

[DelaSue]

I also took my books and had the binds cut off and 3 hole punched. This turned out great for me as I am able to take the chapters I am currently studing with me everywhere I go. This way I can read and study wherever I am. (When I am waiting for kids, doctor 's appt, hair appt) in the same binder with the book pages I also keep paper for notes and some note cards. My highlighter goes with me too. I hope this is helpful.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

Take a couple of learner style inventory tests to ensure that listening and writing is how your brain learns best. I've learned some new things about myself by doing these tests. If you are positive, then you would need to read and write notes in your own words after each section. Also read out loud to yourself. If you have a mic, record yourself explaining the ideas and play it back to yourself. See if it makes sense to you. Make the lecturers powerpoint your own. In other words add stuff to it in a way you understand then read / record and playback to yourself. This will help with retention and understanding. Lastly, start doing nclex questions like yesterday. For Med-surg I liked Med-surg success Q and A review. Rationales and Reviews (subject here) series are also good. The most important thing about buying supplemental books are to USE THEM and note some lab values will not be the same as your textbook. I found a few errors in the Med-Surg success book like at least 2 questions having the wrong answer highlighted as the correct answer.