How should I study?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hi everybody,

I have a final Monday in Microbiology and Tuesday in Statistics. How should I study? Should I study Microbiology first on Friday, Saturday or should I study Statistics Friday, Saturday. Or just study Statistics Sunday. Both are time consuming and intense. I just don't know where to start.

Should I read chapters, powerpoint, do multichoice practice exams? Or review preview previous chapters first? It is all comprehensive of everything covered for Microbiology. We just had practical lab and I don't think I did very well. And lord Statistics is so much information. I don't know where to start.

I have surgery for breast cancer Wednesday so I am on edge for that too. I am just a little overwhelmed. And I need to get at least 80% on finals. Please help.

Yikes. This coming Monday and Tuesday? I think you should have already been studying. I would try going over previous exams that you have had, that is if you have access to them. Good luck with your tests and your surgery.

First off, you really should have been studying already. Only you know how to study so that you learn best.

I would start with a run through your power points and notes, take some practice tests, then hit the areas you did poorly in again.

Good luck on your tests and good luck with your surgery.

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Calm down and let go of the anxiety as much as you can first, everything is going to be overwhelming when stressed out and you won't retain information as well.

Figure out what your strengths and weakness are in each class (review homework/exams to figure this out), take the practice test if you need more help in figuring out where you stand on topics. Then go through the topics that you are weak on, weakest areas first.

As for how best to review that is up to you and how you best learn. Personally I wouldn't take the time to re-read entire chapters, or listen to full power-point lectures simply because the goal is to review the information, and reading/listening to everything is time intensive when you don't have much time. Skimming chapters and power points for key information, reviewing notes, homework, and exams from class, and whatever method of information consolidation works for you is probably where you should be spending your time.

Remember to take periodic breaks to give your brain a break and good luck!

Thank you everybody. I have been studying up to this point so its not the first time I cracked the books, thank God! I have read the chapters at least two times each. Its just not sticking like I want it to. I think I will start will skimming chapters and power points. Then review notes and exams and homework. Should I study microbiology first since test is Monday? Then study statistics Sunday? For Statistics test Tuesday.

Thank you Verene for good advice.

Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.
Should I study microbiology first since test is Monday? Then study statistics Sunday? For Statistics test Tuesday.

If it were me, I would probably study Microbiology today and most of tomorrow, and sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening switch to Statistics. Spend most of Sunday on Statistics, then review microbiology again in the evening so the material is fresh before the exam, but leave some time to relax and unwind before bedtime. Review Stats again Monday evening to refresh the material and again make sure you get a good night's sleep.

I'm in stats right now and I can tell you, at night none of it makes sense. I don't know if maybe you're having a problem like that. For 2 years I've been able to study at night after my kids are all in bed, but statistics is a big fat no in the night time studying. Maybe try to switch when you're siding the subjects around?

Yeah night time studying for Statistics is no good. I'll have to study in the morning or evening. So I will start Saturday evening for Stats and Sunday morning. That way I can concentrate better.

Hi Verene, well I studied the way you laid out for me and it worked. I am just reviewing some microbiology tonight. There is still some information I am fuzzy on but I think I got a good understanding of most of the concepts. She said she was going to have some case studies and short answers. And the possibility for this questions are numerous. So I have a general idea what to expect but not specifics. I am trying to just relax a bit then I will study for just another hour or so. Then that's all she wrote. My microbiology exam is tomorrow. I will study for Statistics again Monday evening. I feel good about Statistics except two concepts are alittle shaky....having a hard time remembering how to write hypothesis.

Good luck tbird!

Thank you I appreciate that.

Well I pulled it off I got 87.7% in microbiology, a 3.2, still waiting to see how I did in statistics, I will not find out until Wednesday. I hope I get at least the 2.5 that is required for the nursing program at my school. Thank you for the study advice it was golden, it helped me pull through that rough weekend. If I don't get the 2.5 I will have to take the statistics all over again. Well at least I know what to expect and know what concepts are covered. I know I can get it next time but hoping I do not have to go there. Aargh! on pins and needles. I think I got half right on final. I think its 30 points but not for certain. I keep trying to calculate my grade based on how many I think I missed and if he grades how I calculated I will make it. Cant wait to find out.

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