Bombed Out!

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Specializes in Critical Care Nurse.

I've started my prerequisites. I can't seem to pass the quizzes. I know that is a bit weird; being that, I'm passing the exams and essays with an "A". Of course, summer semesters are difficult. I just keep telling myself: "no bad grades! I must have a high GPA!" Quizzes are only 10% of my overall grade. I must add I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'm trying to get everything right. I know that's impossible. How did you balance the stress of school?

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I done better in school when I quit thinking about the letter grade. Instead of "Oh, I need an A." I changed my mindset to the material I needed to learn. I done so much better in my science courses after that. I always look for pertinent information that could show up on an exam or a quiz. I practiced the material online and on paper like matching, making my own quizzes, etc.

To balance the stress of school, I found that finding a hobby helps. For example, I go horseback riding and show. Always have something to keep completely separate from your studies to keep you going. For me, when I go back to school this fall, I will have had a mental break, had an enjoyable summer and can get back to my studies easier.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

essentially tests and quizzes are measuring sticks. They are basically providing you feedback on your study habits and retention and understanding of material. When you get a grade you are not happy with instead of saying "I am stupid"....stay calm and analyze. What you are doing is not leading to the desired result. Then you need to develop new study habits or tweak the ones you are currently implementing. When you become a nurse you will make mistakes. If you just say "thats it I am a horrible nurse and I quit" then you are not learning from the mistake.

There is no such thing as perfection in nursing. It is an art and it develops and you become more skilled, but no one is perfect. The Beatles wrote amazing music...but they also had some songs that sucked. They didn't just quit.

Stress is good..embrace it. It means you care. Life is short..Hit it hard and when you get a bad grade...don't feel sorry for yourself. Get focused. What worked...what didn't work. This is LEARNING.

"That which stands in the way becomes the way" - Marcus Aurelius

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Bombed my first 2 quizzes , but aced the homework. It's happens think less on the grade and focus on change. I work rotating shifts so cramping everything has been chaotic and some relationship stess. So I marked everything on a calendar plan accordingly to make it all work. Have to sacrifice some sleep is what it is though.

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It's interesting you are failing quizzes but not exams. Assuming your exams aren't open book/are similar to quizzes, there has to be something awry here.

Are your quizzes testing a different body of knowledge than the tests? Is the format different?

Failing a quiz/doing poorly without failing the class isn't "bombing out", either.

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Specializes in Critical Care Nurse.

The pop-quizzes are on unfamiliar lectures. In other words, we've started the lecture but is not completely done with the material. We take the exams after finishing a particular lecture.

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Specializes in Critical Care Nurse.
It's interesting you are failing quizzes but not exams. Assuming your exams aren't open book/are similar to quizzes, there has to be something awry here.

Are your quizzes testing a different body of knowledge than the tests? Is the format different?

Failing a quiz/doing poorly without failing the class isn't "bombing out", either.

The pop-quizzes are on unfamiliar lectures. In other words, we've started the lecture but is not completely done with the material. We take the exams after finishing a particular lecture.

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Are you expected to have read a chapter? I read all my chapters before listening to any lectures.

My nutrition prof for example tests almost exclusively on the book material, even though he DOES have PPT's and lectures. It's almost worthless to rely on his PPT and lecture.

Try reading your text ahead of class/these quizzes?

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I had to withdraw halfway through my nursing program to address my own stress/depression. I started using the free counseling services my college provides - best decision I've made!!! Therapy is by no means a crutch, but a great starting point to begin managing your stress... Anyone going through a stressful situation can benefit from it. :up: Sometimes we just need a little push, or an objective listener to point out things we've missed. Take it from me - if you intend to complete nursing school with a healthy state of mind, managing that stress is a must, whichever way you choose to do it!

As for the quizzes - do you read your book, or just the powerpoints? In my classes, the quizzes were made from obscure parts of the chapter. Things we wouldn't expect to see or hear in class, etc.

Try not to be a perfectionist (something I'm also working on, lol). Study SMARTER, not harder. Practice great self-care.

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