Studying suggestions? :(

[I'mDumb]

Okay, so I'm not exactly the most proactive person when it comes to studying...and rarely have I ever done it, but still got decent grades. Now, it's backfiring on me and I'm not doing so well in Nursing I. The first exam I received a 76%, today's exam I received a 68%. The first exam, I barely studied for and today's exam I studied quite a bit more, but I got a lower grade? I think I might be over-thinking the questions and confusing myself. Our program is set up in a way that we have to pass exams with a 78% average before they can even count the rest of the class grade. Based on my previous scores, I'd need at least an 85% on the next two exams, this includes the final, to pass the exam portion of the class. I feel like the more I study, the worse I do on the tests...or I'm just mixing information up in my head. Any study tips for me to get an 85%, at least?

Your help is much appreciated!

[Kali_Dreams]

I honestly found by relaxing and not studying like crazy helps me more... It's weird. When I really going in w the studying I get 75-80s but when I dont, literally an A.. So I'd say give yourself only two hours of studying after lecture, read material, write it down, say it aloud. Weird lol but it helps me. Exam in 7 hours pray for me lol

[notnursezelda]

Also Nclex questions are tricky. Try some test taking tips to tackle them and eliminate answers

[Hygiene Queen]

I would suggest:

1) learning how NCLEX style questions work. They don't work with mere memorization, but have a method all their own. Get an NCLEX book and learn what the questions are looking for. It's about the best answer. It's about prioritization. What's the safest thing you can do for your patient as the nurse. Get an NCLEX book, seek a counselor, check out the search function here on Allnurses or try to find a reputable source via Google.

2) using that NCLEX book and answering as many questions as you can that focus on the subjects you are studying at that time. Any questions you get wrong, read the rationales and figure out why your answers are wrong.

3) utilizing Evolve online. Find your text book and test yourself by answering the quizzes they have for each chapter you are studying. Again, look at why your answers are wrong. Also, if audio chapter highlights are available, listen to them while you drive, do laundry, rest... let that information start to permeate your brain.

4) recording your own lecture notes and listening to them.

5) making notes, simply and in your own words, in the margins of your texts. Breaking down a chapter this way forces you to try to understand the material to put it in your own words.

6) paying attention and focusing on the learning objectives provided you. Skim your chapters, but really focus on the main points you need to understand.

7) teaching the material to an imaginary class. Get a dry erase board. Draw things out. Make charts. Break it down like you have to teach it. Literally, stand at that board and act like you're teaching and you need to get your class to get it. If you get stuck on a point or why something happens or how something works, then you know you need to go over something more.

8) utilizing good Youtube videos. Personally, I love Dr. Campbell's channel... what an amazing educator he is.

9) not over-thinking and don't second guess yourself so much. We physically took the eraser off a classmate's pencil because she would erase her first answer and then get the question wrong with all her second guessing! Your brain wanted you to pick your first answer for a reason. Trust yourself more.

You have to understand the material and you have to understand how NCLEX questions work. Before I figured this out, all my studying was in vain. I just wasn't studying the right way and it almost cost me dearly... but after I figured it out, it was like BAM!!! I can see! I can see!

Good luck!