Can someone please give me some study advice? I'm struggling here!

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Hi I am a first year nursing student and I am in my first semester. As of right now I have 3 more tests in my one class and one is a make up exam, which I hear is a lot harder. I need a 75% to pass and right now I am getting a 71.6 in my class, which isn't too far off, but I am currently not passing. I am not a quitter, and was wondering if anyone can give me some pointers? I know the NCLEX style questions are the harder ones, and I am reading the chapters. I haven't yet made note cards, but I am planning on it! but the problem is my teacher is so monotone and I cannot for the life of me keep awake sometimes in her class! I know this isn't an excuse either.

Right now I work full-time at a hospital, and sometimes we do have a little bit of downtime, but as of late we have been pretty busy and it's been pretty hectic. I am off work the whole week of the day I have to make up my tests, and I am also going to request the 2 days off before my finals. I just need as much advice as I can get, because I really do not want to take this class over again.

What has worked for others? Just reading isn't sticking to me, I usually can grasp a lot of the information with what I read, but I cannot seem to grasp this information, probably because it is a lot of information in so little time!

Thanks!

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If you can take at least one day off per week (and two would be better) to devote to studying, you'd be better off. Nursing school is not like English or history. You have to really absorb and understand everything they throw at you, and you can't forget it after the test, because what you learn afterwards will depend on your having a good working knowledge of what you learned before. And, of course, after you graduate and go to work.

Your faculty has office hours. They would like the marginal students to come in and ask for help, but are generally disappointed. (Hope is not a plan, :) ) Make a regular appointment to see your faculty weekly (another reason to cut back on your work days, because you're skipping opportunities for that, aren't you?). Ask where they see your weaknesses-- believe me, they've seen it all before and they do have ideas for you-- and if you are really serious about remaining in the program, do what they tell you.

Make time to make those note cards. Writing adds value to your learning because it gives your brain another way to classify and store information. This is sort of not optional for anyone whose grades are marginal. You must get them up...later semesters WILL be harder, so you can't afford to be even marginal now, much less on the bubble.

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Thank you, I already had spoken to my professor and also my clinical instructor...they said if I don't get my grade up I should withdraw by the withdraw date. But, however, I am starting to write my note cards as of right now. It's not that I don't understand the material, it's more so that I don't understand the NCLEX style questions. I am over-observing it I believe?

I understand the material but the application of it is what is getting to me! I have 3 more exams in this class, and 4 more in my other class!

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Your faculty (and several of us here) can help you start thinking like a nurse, which is a new challenge for many people. But hey, that's why you're in nursing school, right? Of course it's work.

If you are really understanding the material but can't apply it, your path is clear-- you need the structure of how nursing thinks about facts and applies them to patient care situations in order to set priorities for more information-gathering, decisions on interventions, and patient teaching. It's what we do.

Ask them for the why of every question you get wrong. If you don't get it, really get it, after their explanations, ask us-- Esme and I love this sort of thing. The critical thinking part is where many people get lost in nursing school. Some people never do get it. Some people, the light dawns, and they just fly.

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Okay thank you! Yes the critical thinking part is exactly what is getting me, and my clinical instructor had pointed it out. I am setting up an appointment with my teacher next week to review my test thoroughly and ask her what I should do.

Thank you

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You're welcome. Stay in touch!

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Try to relax and think about what motivates you to study? You have to get in your groove. You are only in your 1st semester! Where do you like to be when you study (library, bedroom, kitchen)? Which method do you prefer (reading, videos, making flashcards or outlines)? These are all important questions to ask yourself. I suggest you go online and take a quiz on what type of learner you are.

Below I have found 2 that are very resourceful:)

Unfortunately, many professors teach in a very traditional manner and do not keep all learning styles in mind when they teach! It's your responsibility to learn it! They just present the information.

You have 3 more tests and have a chance to get that grade up to a 75 still, but only you know what you have to do! I begin my nursing program this August:) Good Luck!

Take the quiz:

Learning Styles Quiz Results ? The Study Gurus

Research Resources for your particular style:

Study Advice for Visual Learners — The Study Gurus

Study Advice for Kinesthetic Learners — The Study Gurus

Study Advice for Auditory Learners — The Study Gurus

Study Advice for Read & Write Learners — The Study Gurus

Here is another one I like to check and make sure you get the same result:

http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=598

I am a visual learner and used videos for my pre-reqs, but plan to continue during the program:

http://www.medclip.com

http://www.youtube.com

http://www.campusrn.com/campusrn/educational_videos

just google educational nursing videos

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