Are they lying?

[HeartsOpenWide]

There are so many people in my class that say they hardly ever or never study and still get As. Two people even claim to have never even opened one of their nursing textbooks (we are starting our Sr. year). Granted I know these two people are very smart...but how can they do so well? I mean our lectures are so mediocre, they are the skin and bones of the chapters assigned in reading; and nursing knowledge is not something you "just know" right? I don't get it, it makes me feel like a dummy...classes they laugh at I studied my tail off for (like pharm hello!!! I earned that A) and I read almost all the assigned chapters (I skipped a few this last semester but that is because the teacher really only tested you on what she lectured on because she was the "all and powerful know it all and the book was wrong" even though she assigned chapters)...are you one of these people that never study or hardly study and have never read your nursing text and still get As? Do you have mystical powers?:chuckle

[tiggerdagibit]

I agree that it depends on the student's learning style and the instructor's teaching style. It also depends on the topic being covered. Some topics made more sense to me so I didn't have to study as much. Until this semester (3rd) I rarely read my book except to clarify something on the powerpoints that I was unsure about. Most of my instructors made very good powerpoints that were straight from the book so it was just faster and easier to study from them. Right now we are covering cardio which is more difficult to me, not to mention that it's summer semester so it's crammed even more than usual, so I have to study more than I have in the past.

[cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN]

I almost never cracked open the book, got straight A's, and I rock as a nurse (if I do say so myelf).

Some people are just really good at nursing, some people are really good at school, and some people are good at both.

[jjjoy, LPN]

I agree that a lot depends on both study/learning styles and on the instructor's teaching/testing style.

I started school trying to study & learn every last piece of assigned reading... only to find few test questions reflected text content. In fact, many questions seemed out of the blue... supposedly NCLEX style questions... that were related to the topics we studies but rarely reflected the *content* of the lectures/texts. In fact, much of the content was never tested on - which could be frustrating if one spent a lot of time studying it. Yes, it's good to know the info for your own future practice, but if it's that important, shouldn't they test you on it, too?

Anyway, depending on the instruction, tests, and student learning style, it is possible for some to get good test scores without a ton of studying.

I do think that's a completely separate issue than whether or not a person will perform well clinically. They are different skills sets and talents that aren't directly related to each other. In other words, a "good student" may or may not perform well clinically. A "struggling student" also may or may not perform well clinically. However, if you are personally struggling academically, it can be tempting to induldge in imaging the future demise of those classmates who don't seem to struggle - just cuz it doesn't seem fair that something so difficult for one person isn't for another.

Finally, if these students just like to brag and rub it in that they don't need to study a lot, then whether or not they are being honest, they are being rude. They could offer to share their strategies and to help review or at the very least encourage you in your own studies.

[missjennmb]

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.

the purpose of studying is to get your As in class. The purpose of tests is to test that you know 'enough' about the subject. How do you figure that because someone can do well without a lot of effort, they will automatically "do poorly in the real world". That sounds like the logic of trying to justify that very "better than" attitude that you mentioned wanting to avoid. Not trying to be rude... but thats how it reads to me.

I havent started any of my nursing classes yet, but I am taking an algebra class that I don't have to do much of anything in to get straight As while most of my classmates are having to work much harder/get tutoring/etc. I don't brag, and I stay way after I finish my work every class (we get worksheets to do and can leave when we finish 2nd half of class). I just jump on in and try to help anyone who is willing to let me.

I get it without "working for it". Does that mean I don't "really know it" like someone who studied? Or that I would do "poorly in real world application". Of course not. Doesn't mean I'm better either, just that school is something I'm good at, and there are a lot of things I'm NOT good at.

If the questions on the tests are covered in class, I can definitely see how someone would be able to do well w/out using their books. I did it for a lot of classes in the past. It really depends on your teacher's style.

All that aside, don't be hard on yourself. The bookwork is just a step on the path... a very small one in the grand scheme of things. Maybe your special talent is how you relate to patients or your skills in clinicals or how well organized you are, or your calm head during a crisis. All just as important in the long run, yk?

[anewday]

I think it could depend on the student's learning style or prior school background. Some people can get by with little studying. On the other hand they could be lying. At the university I received my first degree from I had encountered many students who would pretend as if they never studied and were the biggest slackers, but behind closed doors they were undercover nerds studying their behinds off. I think some do lie to boost their ego or to throw others off. Either way I wouldn't worry about them too much :)

[nads786]

i think it depends on the person, i take good notes, and pay careful attention in class

and i never really read the book, but i do study like 3 days before the test

usually reviewing my notes

the books we have used so far, have alot of bs in them and the chap assignments are insane

[CanuckStudent]

I agree that there is no way to know if they are lying or not! Some people just "get it" quicker than others, or have a learning style that makes it easier. Some of these people tend to brag, making those who are average students or those who need to study hard feel ashamed for being "normal". Focus on YOU, and you alone. There will always be someone ahead and behind you.

I have to admit that I also fall into the "auditory learner" and medical science background, making nursing not much of a challenge...yet. But I'm still VERY early in my program.

I learn mostly by listening.

That said, I know many people who have to study 5 hours a day just to pass. Everyone is different.

Another HUGE factor is your instructors and class environment. If your instructor is terrible, and your classmates distracting, even a potentially good student with minimal effort can have serious issues.

In the end, if you have an "A", be proud of that A, no matter how you got it. As long as it's legal, that is (no cheating!)!

Best of luck to you!

[NurseJeanB]

Mexarican I agree. You put it beautifully. I know that in my classess the majority of tests are NCLEX style questions so that if you haven't read the answer directly you can probably come to the right answer by critically thinking through the problem. So in that way some people do really well without putting in the hours of reading. I also try to concentrate heavily on the lectures. I record them and listen to them on my IPOD, but I won't say that I am one of those people who never crack the book and get A's. I read a little, listen intently, and do practice tests from the NCLEX study books. (kind of the scatter gun approach) LOL.

[shann106]

I never read a single page of text the first semester and had a high A, however I have been an xray tech and medical assistant for 14 yrs. The first semester was a boring review of the things I do everyday.

[Neoma]

Don't know if you it comes down to someone lying, as much as different learning styles. I don't start nursing school until August, so I don't know how I'll do once I get started with that. I've read all the posts about how if you've made A's during prereqs, that doesn't necessarily mean you will during the nursing classes themselves. I'm trying to not let it worry me, and just focusing on doing the best I can. I know the grades themselves aren't necessarily a measuring stick of the type of nurse a person will be.

I am one of those people who has to see things in black and white, or actually do something to learn it. I hate lecture - it's so hard for me to really learn and understand from it unless I've read what's being covered. My textbook for Anatomy looks like someone attacked it with a highlighter and ink pen. :chuckle But that works for me. Then while the teacher was lecturing, I was taking notes. There's just something about the whole reading and writing/highlighting part that helps things sink in for me. Otherwise forget it.

My daughter is a pre-med student and never seems to have to hit the books very hard for the information to be retained and understood, and yet she gets good grades. I can't do that. Does that make one better than the other? Nah, it just means I have to do what I have to do to accomplish my goals.

Just focus and you and doing what it takes to accomplish your goals. All the rest is just fluff. Good luck with nursing school.

Maryann

[FUTURE_RN_08]

We have several that come to class on test day and say they spent the weekend before partying or they just did not study. These are the ones that have no medical background. Then they will say in shock " I got an A on that test!". Well, personally I do not care what their grades are, but I did not just fall off of the turnip truck either. I have come to the conclusion that all the information needed for test, just does not fall out of the sky. It is also possible that they are lying about that "A" or they have busted their behinds studying like the rest of us and don't want to admit it incase they don't do well. You will find there is so much competition in NS, and its a wasted energy to me. I could care less what my classmates get on their test. I am just trying to survive and be sane while doing it. LOL...

[FUTURE_RN_08]

We have several that come to class on test day and say they spent the weekend before partying or they just did not study. These are the ones that have no medical background. Then they will say in shock " I got an A on that test!". Well, personally I do not care what their grades are, but I did not just fall off of the turnip truck either. I have come to the conclusion that all the information needed for test, just does not fall out of the sky. It is also possible that they are lying about that "A" or they have busted their behinds studying like the rest of us and don't want to admit it incase they don't do well. You will find there is so much competition in NS, and its a wasted energy to me. I could care less what my classmates get on their test. I am just trying to survive and be sane while doing it. LOL...