Study Time

Chrislynn2003 · Feb 13, 2004

Let me start by saying, it usually doesn't happen. Instructors at my school said the same thing. Now for a 3 hour class, that's 6 hours of studying, which is ridiculous. I would say that your study habits depend on how much time you will spend studying. There where many times I did not even look at my notes or textbook until a few days before an exam. Good luck!

Christine

Berta · Feb 14, 2004

I have all of my prerequisites down. I am just taking my nursing lecture and clinicals now.My usual week is 2 hours a day at lecture for a total of 4 classroom hours, some weeks are more.Clinical is twice a week for 6 hrs each. My study time is a minimum of 20-24 hrs a week studying.(I'm slightly dyslexic :rolleyes: ) I could probably use more. My study time is done in little chunks. 15 min while waiting for class to start, 1/2hr waiting for daughter to get released from school, then the bulk of my studying done when my kids have gone to bed.Also, some nights I have trouble sleeping and get up and study for an hour or two. Nothing puts you back to sleep faster than an hour of reading a textbook. LOL I always have a book or notes with me wherever I go so I can sneak in a little extra time.

It may sound like a lot, but so long as you "plan" for study time each day it ain't so bad. Last semester, after lecture, I went to the library and would study for an hour or so.

good luck, Berta

Sheri257 · Feb 14, 2004

I don't think you can do this just by logging hours. It depends upon too many variables. For one thing, you either learn the material in so many hours, or you don't. You can't just say: "Ok, X amount of hours are up, I'll stop this now." Or, at least I can't. I stop when I know I've learned and covered what I need to do for the day.

Study time depends on a lot of things. If you want A's, obviously you're going to have to study more. If you're OK with C's, you can study less. I easily study 30-40 hours a week, especially on testing weeks, but I have a tough course load and I like to get A's.

I find I have to study a lot in the beginning of the semester but, as I get a handle on what the teacher wants, it gradually takes less time. Some teachers want you to know everything, including every detail in textbook reading and lecture. Other teachers want you to focus just on lecture. Also, general education courses are usually easier than science or nursing courses. Consequently, one course may take a lot more study time than another course.

There are lots of factors and variables that can make big differences in study time. I think it's different for every individual and different for every course.

LauraLou · Feb 14, 2004

I have finished all my pre-req's, so I am only taking nursing classes. I usually study about 2 hours a day M-F and about 5 hours a day on Sat-Sun. It works out to be about 1 hour of studying for every 1 hour of class time. It really depends on how quickly you read and how much repetition you need to retain information.

LisaRN2B · Feb 14, 2004

I don't think you can do this just by logging hours. It depends upon too many variables. For one thing, you either learn the material in so many hours, or you don't. You can't just say: "Ok, X amount of hours are up, I'll stop this now." Or, at least I can't. I stop when I know I've learned and covered what I need to do for the day.
Study time depends on a lot of things. If you want A's, obviously you're going to have to study more. If you're OK with C's, you can study less. I easily study 30-40 hours a week, especially on testing weeks, but I have a tough course load and I like to get A's.
I find I have to study a lot in the beginning of the semester but, as I get a handle on what the teacher wants, it gradually takes less time. Some teachers want you to know everything, including every detail in textbook reading and lecture. Other teachers want you to focus just on lecture. Also, general education courses are usually easier than science or nursing courses. Consequently, one course may take a lot more study time than another course.
There are lots of factors and variables that can make big differences in study time. I think it's different for every individual and different for every course.

This sounds like me. I probably study MORE than 2 hours for every hour of class time. I don't get much sleep, but I know my stuff when the test comes around. And, yeah, it depends on the course. I find I have to study longer to get my A&P to sink in, as apposed to say Algebra, which I studied a lot less for.

suzy253, RN · Feb 14, 2004

I agree with Lizz..you can't really put a time or time limit on each subject and after 2 hrs say ok it's been 2 hrs ...now on to pharmacology or something. Just study each day and use different opportunities....just came back from getting my hair done and I sat under the dryer waiting for my highlights to take and was reading my pharmacology notes on respiratory. Got quite a bit in as well. Now I'm having a little relaxation time w/coffee and comuter and will study some more. I have so much to work on this weekend. Exam in pharmacology on Tuesday, a.m. report from clinicals, another report on respiratory, study for quiz in physiology on tuesday..etc. etc. etc. So glad Monday is a holiday and will give me xtra time.

Do what works for you--you'll soon adapt a study routine that works best.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2004

Say goodbye to your life as you know it.

Good luck. :)Wink

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 14, 2004

"How much time do YOU spend studying each week?"

About 4 hours a day

How much time do you spend studying for just nursing classes?

About 3 1/2 hours a day

How much time do you spend studying for non-nursing classes?

About 30 minutes a day (only have 1)

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2004

From the time I get up in the morning, till 9:00 pm on weeknights, and 5 - 6 hours a day on weekends, I'm doing something school related. It could be getting ready for clinical, travel time, study, class time and breaks for lunch and whatnot in between. It's way more than a full time job. It's hard to break it down.

purplekath · Feb 15, 2004

I think for most people if you actually sat down to analyse it, they would be surprised to realise how much study they are actually doing in an average week.

It's probably different for different people, but just personally I consider it a fulltime job (and then some)...I'll generally be studying or attending classes from 9-5.30 each day. If I get to study at night that's a bonus, but I don't always have the energy.

"Studying" takes many forms though. For me it means using my big chunks of time at home (say while the kids are at school) for working on projects and assignments. When the kids are home, study is less intensive and might consist of printing out and proof-reading a draft, making up library lists, organising my diary to be more effective or collating research stuff. Reading textbooks tends to be squished around whenever I have a spare 1/2 hour or even just 10 mins. I read on the bus, on the stairmaster, in the bathtub (can't take those big chunky ones in there though. lol)

Energy levels change too. Some days I can stay focussed all day. Other days it's fighting a losing battle and I have to be content with a couple of hours max. As long as I'm studying some each day, then it works out.

Hope that helps :-)

Pab_Meister · Feb 15, 2004

Hi Glopop,

Pretty much everything I do in a day is school related. Either driving, studying, stressing when I can't study, heck, I even dream about nursing school most nights - and I am not kidding!

I am taking 14 1/4 credit hours. If I only spend 40 hours per week outside of class time on my school work then I am behind in my studies. Bring pictures of your family to school with you so you don't forget what they look like. Put a picture of yourself on your pillow so your mate doesn't forget what you look like - you'll do fine.

The good news - remember the slogan for the Peace Corps? "It's the toughest job you'll ever love" - it applies to nursing school too.