Study habits

Nursing Students General Students

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Hi! It has been a while since I was in school and I know that studying for Nursing classes is much different than studying for other classes. what are some of your study habits?

I took a pathophysiology class the last quarter I was in school and did nto do too well because I didnt know how to study. We had to learn all the processes of the body and that info doesnt fit on a notecard! Any suggestions???

Thanks!

wendy

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Hi wendy!

First off studying for nursing school is a whole new world from studying for pre req's. The biggest advice that I can give you is that in order to understand abnormal processes in the body, you need to have a good understanding of how that body works when there is no disease processes going on. Once you have a good understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, you need to understand what the disease process is, what body systems that disease is affecting from there you can usually firgue out the symptoms that accompany the disease. Then you will need to know the nursing care of pt.'s with the condition, meds that they are given (what they are, what they do, how they work), any procedures that may need to be done. So basically when you start try to get a good understanding of the overall concept, once you feel confident that you know the basic things then start reviewing the specifics...you are never going to be able to remember all the details but you can usually think your way through whatever questions there may be on the test.

Try to have your reading done before you go to lecture so you know what will be discussed that day and where your weak points are about the subject. This way you can ask questions about the things that you just aren't getting. Many of my classmates find it very helpful to record lecture and listen to it again...you would be surprised at the amount of info you miss! I had an instructor suggest to me to highlight as I read (but not to go overboard, only highlight the important stuff) then to go back and read the sections that I highlighted into a tape recorder, and listen to it. This way you have done it three ways, you read it, to said it, and then you heard it. One of my classmates did this and she got the highest grade in the class.

I hope that some of this helps you!! Good luck.

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Recorder! Recorder! Recorder! This tiny device saved my life during nursing school. I go back and add notes while listening to it and you would not believe the stuff you miss trying to scribble everything down during class. Also there are just some days that you are not as focused as others and by recording every lecture I can go back and really concentrate on the material. I would recommend it for any nursing student.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

studying for nursing classes isn't any different from studying for other classes. what might make it different is that you have to put information from many different classes together to come up with answers to questions. this is what critical thinking is about. however, to know what that information is from those different classes you still had to have studied the information when you took those classes!

there are weblinks of helpful information on how to study and take nursing tests on these two threads:

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1.Flesh cards work wonders for me.

2.Also I summerize a lot in my own words and I find it really helpfull to remeber material that way.

3.Additional nursing books like test taking Techinque for begging nursing students or Mnemonic note cards (if you are a visual learner)

4. Rewriting notes is also a good strategy for retaining knowledge.

Good Luck!

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I read the chapters before class, after class, and before the exam. You really need to read your readings at least 3 times each.

And make use of the resources you have available, Use your instructors office hours to ask questions. Discussing the materials helps you understand it better

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1. flash cards for the basic must remenber information

2.read and re-read (don't just read to memorize, make sure you understand the info)

3.after i think i know it, i meet up with my study buddy so we can test each other on the material.

4.make sure you save your notes from all semmesters, it helps to review them during summer brakes.

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I swear by my recorder. I listen to lectures when I work out, when I'm cleaning the house, doing yard work......It's been a total life saver for me. I also read and outline every single chapter and study from my outlines and the outline given to us by our professors. I use flash cards, but only for terms.

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