Dear Nursing Student with ADD what study strategies help w/memory ?

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More specifically how do you remember the huge amount of information we are required to remember?

When I study I literally read powerpoints out-loud over & over and OVER again, just so I can remember the information. I always understand the reasoning behind 95% of the information - memory is my problem though.

And are you an auditory/visual/writer/etc learner?

Any study tips you have are VERY appreciated!

Thank you all soon to be nurses:)

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I remember things visually and by writing them. In nursing school I would type single page study sheets for each topic. I'd vary the font and color for each item. For example, a page on insulins, short acting would be red, long acting blue etc. I would recreate charts from my texts and notes. I liked to put things in somewhat random arrangements on the page, instead of everything left aligned, it made it more visually unique. This especially helps if you've ever found yourself recalling something because you can remember where it was on the page. When doing practice questions I would look up the answer right away if I didn't know it (instead of thinking about it and possibly creating a wrong, confusing rationale in my mind) then I would rewrite & paraphrase the question and bullet the correct answer under it.

I can't say enough about Microsoft OneNote. If you have word and powerpoint, you also have OneNote, it's part of the office package. It's a great way to organize info, take notes, and create study sheets. PM if you want to chat more, I have ADHD, and rocked nursing school and the NCLEX. Good luck :)

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Thank you so much for the advice. Especially about writing topics on a single page. Where do you find Microsoft OneNote on your computer? Or do you download it?

My biggest struggles are 1. Remembering the huge amount of information we are required to know (I do this by talking outloud to myself - which gets exhausting) and 2. Application questions/critical thinking NCLEX questions (still working on this..)

It would be awesome if we could chat, any advice I can get would be welcomed. I'm struggling through nursing school and somehow my huge amount of effort I put in barely makes me through exams.

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I'm curious to see how you both organize your information. I just started nursing school and I'm having a hard time trying to group and retain information.

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Read notes to a recorder and replay it over and over while driving until it was memorized. Also made silly rhymes for everything that I could sing in my head

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This is helping me so much I want to thank you for this . I. am working on practice test to do my compass test for CNA. I pray I get through it I have learning disability it drives me crazy so much I want to do. I no I am not a CNA or Nurse but I again want to say thank! you for these messages.☺

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Specializes in CWON - Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse.

Organization is key. Tabbing information, making charts/color coding. Also, it's good to use several modalities...don't rely just on reading. Write out the information and go back and pick the most importance concepts and try not to focus on every detail. There is NO way you can remember everything from school. I don't think anyone truly can. You have to remember you are getting this information stuffed down your gullet due to time constraints. Do you take medication for your ADD? It helps!

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write your notes during class. Rewrite notes after class and reread them over and over again. When taking tests, if you can take the test backwards. Don't you yellow highlighters. Use blue or green highlights cause they do not strain eyes as much. take notes on blue or green or even purple paper for the same reason. study for 30-45 minutes at a time and take a short break.

Dont forget to take some time for yourself.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Please remember that per our terms of service, we can neither ask for nor offer medical advice. Thanks.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

These are all good tips. I'm not diagnosed with ADD but I feel I have ADD.

Here's what works for me:

Sitting in front of class...so I'm not distracted.

Taking notes in different colors. (I'm a tactile, not visual learner) sometimes I bring my computer to type my notes instead of handwriting.

Being organized--tabs for each class, dividers for the stuff I need to keep, etc. using a written planner and electronic reminders.

Recording lectures--I've done this for about half my classes.

Flash cards---but I didn't use them in nursing school, just in pre-reqs

Study groups where we reviews concepts out loud.

Tutoring others as well as receiving tutoring. I learn well when I explain concepts to others.

I have a horrible memory. It's better for me to understand the "big picture" than to memorize random details. But certain concepts I have to drill into my head via repetition--like lab values. I also make my own mnemonics and visual memory cues.

Watching YouTube videos and songs about complicated concepts.

Reading the text book - multiple times!! I need to move my body or take frequent breaks while reading.

Learning to speed read.

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Yes to everything vintage mother said!

Organization is one of the most difficult things us ADDers struggle with. Adopt the "do it now" principle. Because you will get distracted and forget to organize that note, write down that assignment, flag that important page etc....

Use multiple modalities when studying. Use a timer when taking a break.

If your study notes look too cluttered make a simpler sheet that shortens it down.

If you're having a hard time separating2/3/4 closely related concepts, like EKG. Divide your paper into 4, use a different color for each and ONLY write down the differences.

When you fond a routine that works for you, STICK TO IT! If it aint broke, don't fix it!

Work hard to research what your best learning style is, and figure out how to implement these techniques into your day so you can maximize study time.

ALWAYS finish of your study time with some NCLEX questions that relate to your material.

ALWAYS do the questions from that chapter on the text book, from text book online resource and if they provided a CD. I can't tell you how many of those questions I've seen on tests!

Good luck! Recognizing that you have learning difference is half the battle to achieving success!

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Spend part of your time studying in a place where you don't have access to the internet. I know at my school, there were parts of the library where you couldn't get a signal. Put your phone in your backpack. Use earplugs so you don't get distracted by people sniffling and shuffling papers.

When I started hiding from the internet, I cut my "study" time in half.

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