Do you guys do all of your reading assignments?

I do not spend much time reading my textbooks because it's just not a very effective learning method for me. I usually start with lecture slides and whenever I come across something that I don't get, I open up my book and read that specific section. When I get started on a 50-100 page wall of text assignment, an hour will pass and I can barely remember anything from it. On top of that I'm a slow reader so I could spend all day on my reading assignments if I read every word. However, when I open my book with a purpose and read the 1-2 pages I need for a specific concept it sticks with me. Sometimes, I still don't have a solid understanding and I head to the internet, watching videos from khanacademy.org or YouTube. With really tricky topics, I'll learn what I can and then try teaching them to my girlfriend who has no background in the field. If she can understand based solely off my teaching and I can answer her questions then I usually feel competent enough to be tested on the material and provide education to my patients.

In short, some students will learn best by reading everything assigned and others won't even buy half the books. It's all about realizing how you learn best and using your method to master the material.

I just started nursing school and I've only had one exam, but I did read all the chapters assigned and reviewed my lecture notes. I also did the questions at the end of the chapters. I got an A- on my first exam so I intend on doing the same for the next exam. I wouldn't have done as well without reading the chapters, the exam had more in it then just what was in the lectures.

We use our lab group of nine people as our study group too. We made a secret facebook page and share tips, remind about assignments, ask questions, etc. to provide each other instant support. Then we take each weeks reading assingments and divide the pages up, each person gets a section. We take notes and fine tune them done to less than one page of bullet points, focusing on the concept or theme, not just the details. Then we get together and teach our section in 6-8 minutes, providing our notes. So in one hour, we have covered all the readings and have an outline of the main points. Then together we review the case studies and discuss the nursing diagnosis, interventions all of ADPIE.

It's all about moving to the higher Blooms level, moving away from just knowledge into application. Hope that helps :-)

Link to Blooms Taxonomy in case you aren't familiar Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives | The Center for Teaching and Learning | UNC Charlotte