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I am in my last semester of R.N. nursing school with just 6 weeks to go and am so discouraged. I am an A student in clinical and do extremely well. My last nursing instructor encouraged me when I am finished that I should continue my education and said that I was a natural. My problem is test taking and has always been my big struggle. My first test of the semester I did very well and was number 5 in my class but my next two tests I have scored below a 75 which in nursing school is failing. This brought my average way down and I am now carrying a 79. The last test I took I studied extremely hard. The 3 days before the test I spent at least 8 hours a day just studying. I think I put a total of 50 hours of study time. When I went to take the test I had a panic attack and broke out in a rash. I was dizzy and had trouble concentrating. I just didn't feel like myself. I was extremely sick the week before and put on bed rest so I am not sure that had anything to do with it. It was also frustrating because a couple of my great friends scored between 75 to 80 and they only studied like 4 hours. I am happy for them but have no idea what has happened to me. I have 2 more tests and a final. We were told by former students that if you don't go into the final with the average of least an 80 then we will be in trouble. Apparently many bomb the final.I have come so far and would be so devastated to flunk out my last semester because of some tests. Any advice would be appreciated.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Take a breath. You've obviously been successful in your academic career and I think you've just psyched yourself out. And for goodness sake, don't worry about anyone else. Whether you're first or last (of those passing), you're qualified. If the person sitting next to you studies 40 hours or 40 minutes, that's no reflection on your or your abilities. Have you gone over the tests you scored poorly on? Did you miss those questions because you didn't understand the material or you somehow read the questions wrong? You can't fix anything until you know what's broken. No offense, but time spent studying isn't important, it's the quality of your study time. Are you answering questions in the same style as your test questions? Are you working alone or with others? Do you have a friend that did well on those tests that has any suggestions or wants to study together? You'll get through. Good luck.

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

I would look into how you study best and really focus on doing that. Everyone is different, so yes you may need to study longer than your friends. It all just depends on how you can best understand the information.

You might also look at some books on test-taking skills (I'm reading Test Success: Test-taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002KYHZ98/ref=docs-os-doi_0) It's helpful to learn techniques to help you through those moments where you feel like you are unsure of your answers. Since you are excelling in clinical, it might help to connect your lecture exam questions with specific experiences at the facility.

Hope this helps! Keep your chin up and power through :hug:

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Thank-you for your replies. I am just not sure what happened. I did do some study groups and the girls I studied with who are excellent students were pretty much freaking out all through the study session. They are wonderful and did great on the exam but the study group did not help. Is it possible to over study for a test. Did I over think everything ? I will be go over the test today in class. I guess I am just freaking out because on every test I have scored lower. First one was 86, then I got a 74, then a 72, But all my clinical grades have been 95 and above. I have always struggled taking tests and can't sleep the night before a test. November will be one long month because we have a test every two weeks then the final. I do tape every lecture and do listen to it a second time. I also am using Saunders and do practice questions.I am glad I had this forum to vent and express my fears.Again thank-you for responding.

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Is it possible to over study for a test. Did I over think everything ?

Oh hell yes.

You can study so much that you lose sight of the forest and focus on the twigs.

You can study so much that you burn yourself out emotionally and physically. You lose all creativity to draw from the obviously vast bank of knowledge you have built up over the couple of years in your nursing studies.

You lost confidence.

When I hit a brick wall like you, I walk away. I put my books down for at least a day and do non-nurse-y things. Seems very counter-intuitive but I firmly believe that the mind needs time to absorb and connect information subconsciously. Time away from studying is just as important as studying. If I have my nose in the books 5 minutes before a test, I lose.

Rest. Chin up. I would wish you luck but you do not need it. :D

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Make an appt to talk to your instructor ASAP. Tell her/him what you are experiencing and ask for advice on what to do. Your school may even have some resources that can help you. I worked with a student in the past who actually had such "performance anxiety" that any sort of test or skills demo/checkoff nearly paralyzed her. She ended up with a prescription for a beta blocker to take prior to one of 'those' events. Preventing the physical symptoms helped her focus on the task at hand. It worked for her, but it required seeking out professional help.

Just don't wait too late to try to get a handle on this situation and figure out how to cope with your anxiety..... otherwise you may never be able to survive NCLEX.

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"You can study so much that you lose sight of the forest and focus on the twigs."

Thanks so much for that :)

Also I was evaluated last year because of my test anxiety and I was given accommodations of extra time and being in a quiet room with less people. I really don't want to take meds and its not that I have anything against them it's just that I have come this far with out them. I should also mention that I went through LPN school when I was 17 and gradated at 18. I am 22 now. I also struggled with testing in that but did really well on my state boards and passed with 85 questions. I worked for one year in a doctors office before I started working on my RN.

We went over the test today and I do have something figured out but am just not sure how to solve it. The first test only one instructor wrote the test and I did really well. These past two tests two instructors are writing the test and it's the one of the instructors questions I seem to be bombing on. I am not blaming the instructor or the way she is writing the test but just am having problems with her questions. I did meet with her before this past test and it did not help. I just am feeling so discouraged and can not seem to pull myself out this hole I feel like I am sliding down. I can't believe I am this close to graduating and I feel so helpless :confused:

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wooow... i am so worried after hearing all this because i am still trying to complete my pre-recs before entering Nursing school :crying2:

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Dear China13,

Go for your dream! Yes I am having a hard time and nursing school is not easy but you can do it! And I have friends that have had barely any struggles. I am just not a good test taker and never have been. I met with my advisor today and she said that studying like 10 hours the day before the test was a bad idea. I had all ready put in like 50 hours of study time for this test. What I should have done was practice questions. Don't let my experience discourage you.

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