Are they lying?

Jules A, MSN · Jul 2, 2008

Personally I wouldn't waste one second of your very limited free time worrying about what other people are doing. If you are doing good in school that is all that matters. :)

groovy jeff, RN · Jul 2, 2008

There are those in my class that were shocked when one of the instructors tested on things other than her lectures; she even warned us that "you have to read the book". It turned into the joke of the semester-"You mean we have a book for this class?" My thought is that those that don't study and just perform for the test will probably do poorly in the real world of nursing. Also it is a set up for me to compare myself to others; it does nothing but give me self doubt or gives me a 'better than' attitude.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2008

They may or may not be lying. I don't do nearly as much studying as my classmates and I have an A average. Of course, I have a significant medical and biology background so very little material is new to me-- this is part of it. I see my classmates before tests with literally hundreds of note cards and I admire their dedication, as I've never been able to habit myself like that.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2008

I did very well in school with little to no studying of most material. Then again I learn by listening, not reading. I've always been that way all through my schooling. And graduated with honors.

I'd do a lot of NCLEX type questions on the computer (Saunders and Lippincott) when I was "bored" and didn't want to watch TV. So intead I'd pop on the computer and do 50-75 questions that were geared toward the subject matter that was lectured. (I'd drive the family crazy because I would read aloud the questions as I did the tests..of course I didn't do that during tests but I would "mouth" the words as I read the questions, i know its weird but thats how I learn, and pull the info out of my head)

I don't think I opened many of my nursing class textbooks. Maybe to look something up quickly that I didn't get correct on the Saunders or Lippincott tests but that was the extent of me really "reading" or opening my book.

I have no mystical powers :chuckle. Just a fortunate person that can soak up info and maintain it just by listening to people talk/lecture.

Of course my way of "studying" wouldn't work well for the majority of people. But it works for me. I never, ever picked on or laughed at others that had to study for hours and hours. My sister is the exact opposite of me, she had to study for insane amount of time in order to get through school.

Like the other poster. I have a substancial biology/medical background so much of the info covered in school was more of a refresher than new info. So I had a leg up on most who had little to no medical background.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2008

My thought is that those that don't study and just perform for the test will probably do poorly in the real world of nursing.

What?! (:angryfirea tad offended with this statement) I didn't study much, but I didn't "just perform for the test". I could still be quizzed or asked questions about subject matter now and give the correct info. I didn't just memorize and regurgitate the info for the test and then forget it.

I will/am doing well in the real world of nursing, thank you. I excelled more in clinicals than actual classroom tests. I maintained A's thoughtout school in clinicals. I was complimented by ALL my clinical instructors about my skills, critical thinking, ability to pull it all together with diseases, labs etc. I was always given the more difficult patients because my clinical instructors had trust in my abilities. And the staff nurses at my numerous clinical sites complemented me (and told my instructors) that I knew my stuff and would/will make a great nurse.

Why would you think that those who do well with little studying are probably going to do poorly in the "real" nursing world??

I have noticed a lot of bashing of those of us who are/were getting A;s in NS. I can't tell you how many times I have heard people getting good/average grades talking smack about A students. "they won't be good in real life" "they are only book smart" "yeah well lets see how s/he does once they are licensed" "I hate those honor students, they think their stuff don't stink" blah blah blah. Sorry, not ALL of us are uppty or think we are better than those who aren't getting the grades we do, not all of us are just book smart with no common sense or clinical skills.

(off my soap box. That type of comment is a pet peeve of mine)

JettaDP · Jul 2, 2008

I have mystical powers!!

Just kidding. I have to study my butt off to be successful. Like CT pixie mentioned, some people learn better by listening. I tend to day dream while someone lectures. Not on purpose. I actually try very hard not to. I just need to record my lectures or I guarantee I will miss something.

People just have a different tolerance for retaining what they read and hear. For me, I have to go over things several times before it is stuck in my head. And for others, they can read or hear something one time and it is stuck in their head. I wish I was one of those people but since the reality is that I'm not, I will have to study more.

groovy jeff, RN · Jul 2, 2008

I certainly didn't mean to offend!! I have a 3.83 GPA and I too learn best by listening; but I have to study. Perhaps I was too general in my comments. I am in a small NS and I see several students studying for the test and purging the info as soon as it is over. The folks that I go to school with that never open a book are doing well academically; however, when asked about a concept that we covered 3 weeks ago and how it relates to what is going on now- they are mute.

Please accept my apologies-didn't think I was making a blanket statement.

RhodyGirl, RN · Jul 2, 2008

It depends what type of person you are, and what your style of learning is. I have a cousin who goes to Brown University and is a pre-med (Bio) major. She gets A's while having a wonderful social life, and spends minimal time studying.

When I took Org/Biochem, I had to lock myself in my bedroom for HOURS every day studying, making flashcards, etc.. and would then do well on the exams.

It just depends.

I wish I could be one of those students that hears something once and then knows it forever.

Dreams are free......

Mexarican · Jul 2, 2008

Some people's talent lies in being a student. They excel and make it look easy. And for those who are quick to find some fault in it...they also can be very very good in clinicals so you can't use the "C" student defense that many use..."they may get As in exams but they struggle in clinicals"... uh no, sometimes they are also really good in clinicals as well! :chuckle Look everyone is talented in something...for some it's school they do great with minimal effort. That's just the way it is...

Mex

Jules A, MSN · Jul 2, 2008

Some people's talent lies in being a student. They excel and make it look easy. And for those who are quick to find some fault in it...they also can be very very good in clinicals so you can't use the "C" student defense that many use..."they may get As in exams but they struggle in clinicals"... uh no, sometimes they are also really good in clinicals as well! :chuckle Look everyone is talented in something...for some it's school they do great with minimal effort. That's just the way it is...Mex

I love it: "the C student defense", lol. Interesting because I when I have written that I was able to work, attend nursing school, take a easy gen ed class each semester and graduate with a 3.5 gpa, it has been implied that my nursing program was easy. When I said I was very confident that I had passed both my LPN and RN boards because the computer shut off at the minimum it has been implied that I was foolish to feel confident. Now I'm a lousy nurse also?

Fwiw my evaluations at work so far have been excellent, go figure.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2008

I certainly didn't mean to offend!! I have a 3.83 GPA and I too learn best by listening; but I have to study. Perhaps I was too general in my comments. I am in a small NS and I see several students studying for the test and purging the info as soon as it is over. The folks that I go to school with that never open a book are doing well academically; however, when asked about a concept that we covered 3 weeks ago and how it relates to what is going on now- they are mute.
Please accept my apologies-didn't think I was making a blanket statement.

Apology accepted :redpinkhe No harm, no foul. I have to apologize to you for my "rant" at your expense (having a lot of family tragedy going on right now, not that that's an excuse for being a bit mean to someone).

You are correct there are those who study for a test, regurgitate the info onto the test, score great on that test and then once the test is over, all that info is gone, never to be remembered again. I had several classmates that did that. They got awesome grades, they were the best at memorizing info. But when it came down to applying that concept they had no clue. You'd think they never heard that info before. I remember several occasions where they would get a 100 on the test BUT a month down the line the teacher would mention that info (you know, that info on the test that they got that 100 on) and they would claim they NEVER heard that info. :eek: Yes, those people you are correct with. You can't just memorize the info, you have to be able to apply it too.

So, Jeff, you and I are good now..right :smokin: