how to study???

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 25, 2017

Moved to the LPN / LVN Nursing Student forum

VegGal, BSN, RN · May 2, 2017

I started LVN school in this spring. I am too old to study. Feel so bad. I passed my first module tests. Second test got very low grade. Feel so bad. Quit or not to quit? Study everyday. Practice, but nothing work. My poor English. Old. Brain does not work. Feel depressed. Quit my full time CNA job, because of school. But.... How study to pass the school tests? Prefer to study alone. Where to find NCLEX tests for LVN? Any advice please!

If you believe what others tell you, i.e. "too old, can't study, etc." then that's exactly how you will be. There's no such thing as "brain does not work." You have a very negative opinion of yourself, and until you change that and tell yourself you can succeed, there's really nothing much others can do or say to help you.

Also, it doesn't matter whether you prefer to study alone. If it's not working, it's time to do something else. Talk to other students in your class, especially those who are doing well. Ask for help. Talk to your instructor. If you're having trouble with English, then how can you expect to be able to work as an LPN or to communicate with your coworkers and patients in the future? If English is the problem, then take an English class first. If it's not, then work with your classmates and help each other to study.

For me personally, reading my textbook prior to the lesson helped me pick up concepts faster than sitting in class trying to understand things for the first time.

Good luck!

imhorsemackerel, LPN · May 4, 2017

I learn best by writing, writing, and writing. I would take notes on a chapter. Then (if I had the time or patience), I would rewrite everything in that chapter into my own words and try to simplify it. Some of my classmates loved using flashcards, but I never found it practical having like thousands of flash cards. Nurseslabs.com has a good amount of questions that are helpful with Med-Surge. I'm sure they have fundamentals questions. If you're a visual and auditory learner, you can use Youtube or Khan academy. Khan academy is great for A&P (they might go into more detail than you need). On youtube, my friend found the account RegisteredNurseRN very helpful. For A&P they have coloring books you can purchase on Amazon if that's something you struggle with.

I had another friend who would record herself, and she basically would talk about whatever was in her notes or things that were emphasized by the instructor. Whenever she had to drive (and the program for us was full of driving all over to clinical sites and back to the school), she would play the recording in her car. My school also utilized ATI. I'm not sure if your school does as well. If so, use it because the answers provide rationale as to why a certain answer is better than another. We also used a website that was a supplement to our textbook (can't remember the name).

If possible, ask your instructors if they have any office hours or can stay 15 minutes to go over whatever material isn't sticking.

I had many classmates who immigrated to America. Their English was not always the best, but they did their best. And I think they all did well despite having children and/or working. One was even the salutatorian. Also, age is nothing but a number. I don't know how old you are, but my mom was 47 when she entered the program and she was the valedictorian in her class.

I almost forgot the NCLEX-PN Examination book (red color) by Saunders is very helpful for review. It also has like 5-10 practice question per chapter. If it's pricey, you should be able to find the book, or another, at your local library.

Don't give up!