Hi everyone,
This is my very first post on allnurses. Of course, like many others, I too have been "lurking" around for many years. Today I am posting because I need your valuable advice.
I graduated in December (2013) with my BSN and was highly motivated to take the NCLEX by early February. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that the CA BRN has a 90 day backlog and was informed that I'll get my ATT around 4/28. This means that the earliest I can take my test is 4/29.
I've been studying since January. I would get off track after feeling frustrated but my wonderful husband would remind me "just keep studying you never know it might come early and you want to be prepared." So I kept studying and studying... And studying. Well, now, I'm tired of isolating myself from 9-4 every day and studying!!
My question to all of you is:
1. How did you study? How many hours a day?
2. What did you do in order to have fun but not feel guilty that you we're neglecting your studies?
3. Should I make a daily agenda?
Thank you
Oh btw my username just means that I like fatty foods

yikes.
Mar 7, '14
You're studying from 9-4 every day? Since December? For the boards in late April? How are you still sane?
I used to study with a friend. We'd study a few hours--maybe 3 at most--per day. I'd make sure that on the days we didn't meet, I'd look over notes and study for 1-2 hours. I graduated in August, took the boards in early November of the same year.
Yes, do whatever you need to do--make an agenda, call a friend--to get out of your house and take your mind off of studying. It's not healthy to spend 7 hours a day studying for a test that's still 1.5 months out. I'd say it's overkill to study that much even when the test is a few days away! I guarantee I never studied for more than 3 consecutive hours for the boards. I just don't have that kind of focus. It'd drive me absolutely nuts.
When I studied for the boards, I studied moderately in the months leading up to it (at least the 1-2 hours per day), in overdrive the week prior (2-3 hours daily), then the week of, I reviewed a bit of the areas I knew I'd struggle in (electrolytes still get me to this day) and let myself relax. I ate out with friends, spent time with family and enjoyed life. I was confident because I'd really, really studied and ensured that I had a working knowledge of the material beforehand. I was more than ready for the boards, which I proved after passing on the first go-round.
Studying for NCLEX is 1) not nearly that intense and 2) very much like nursing school. If you don't take breaks and allow yourself to enjoy life every now and then, you won't have any hair by the time you actually get to test.
Last edit by SoldierNurse22 on Mar 7, '14