Exams

[jphill15]

Okay, guys.

I need your help.

I study my butt off for our exams; memorizing, practicing questions (albeit not as many as I should be), doing case studies when I can ... I throw myself into the preparation for these exams. And then I get to an exam and I'm going through it and I KNOW the material ... but I overthink EVERYthing and don't pick the correct questions. It's like all of the breathing techniques, the self motivation that I've done up until that point fly out the window and I stare at the answers like a deer in headlights. I just bombed one of our exams (even though I know 90% of what the answers were) because it's like this mental barrier that keeps me from checking the correct answer even though I KNOW what the correct answer is.

I'm feeling really depressed because I need to get my grade up ... and I know that I can do it and put the work in and get the material down ... but I'm nervous about the exams.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

Does your school offer academic coaching or something like that? They might have test taking strategies or tips and tricks to help you overcome this. I'd be talking to student services if I were you.

Good luck!

[jphill15]

There is a tutor that tries to come in maybe once a week or something (she's 4th semester) and I'm going to begin going to her tutoring sessions. I'm meeting with one of my professors tomorrow to see what tips she might have, too. I think it's mainly the whole mind over matter thing? It's just hard for me to get past the overthinking to logically and critically look at the question/answer.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

There is a tutor that tries to come in maybe once a week or something (she's 4th semester) and I'm going to begin going to her tutoring sessions. I'm meeting with one of my professors tomorrow to see what tips she might have, too. I think it's mainly the whole mind over matter thing? It's just hard for me to get past the overthinking to logically and critically look at the question/answer.

Yeah, I struggle with this a bit, too. Does your test allow you to highlight words? Sometimes that helps me focus on what the question is actually asking. Answering nursing questions is a skill, IMO.

Good luck!

[Cindyel, ASN, RN]

Try the Sunders NCLEX reiew book. They separate content into different sections and their rationales are great. It is worth the investment. They also have a book on test taking strategies but the review book has test taking strategies in it as well. Good luck!