Failed First Test of First Term as a Second Year Nursing Student

[WeirdNurseKelly, BSN, RN]

Just a little upset. I got a 68% on my first test of the year. I dont know why. I felt like I really knew the material.

This year I have approached studying in a whole new way. I have been recording lectueres and trying to read all of the assigned readings before hand.

Last year I slacked off a little bit. Didnt read everything. Was in a mad dash to play catch up before tests and totally stressed myself out. I think spring term I had an anxiety attack a few days before every test we had. If it wasn't every test it was 95% of them. Ehhh.

I am in such a better frame of mind this year. I have meds to help me control my anxiety. I haven't felt stressed or any anxiety for my first test. The way I am feeling now is great but a total 180 from where I was at this time last year. I feel so great and optimistic.

I am studying more than ever. Using my workbook for practice questions, reading rationales to answers I get wrong, even some of the right answers. I am also using NCLEX books for practice, questions at the end of chapters in my texts books, and I can't tell you how many pages of notes I have taken on the readins alone.

I don't take very good notes in class cuz I sometimes can't keep up. So I go back and listen to the lectures and take notes on the power points handed out to us for lecture. I go over those too. Still confused as to how I got a 68%.

So I emailed the instructor of basically everything I just mentioned. Haven't heard back from her yet. I guess I just need to vent a little. I am still optimistic and have shed literally TWO tears because of the test failure, so I am in pretty good spirits, just confused and a little upset.

I am not asking for advice or anything. If you want to, comment away. I just needed to get this off my chest and tell someone who isn't a classmate of mine.

Thanks for listening.

Kelly

[calledtodo]

All is not over yet, you can still make it through. I recommend you isolating yourself from any stressors and just studying as much as possible. Change up your technique, and try to make it fun. When I studied for my final last 8 weeks, I made alot of posters about important things and posted them all around my room. I woke up citing information about the pharmacology. It got a little scary because all I thought about was drug info. LOL! I immersed myself in the material. It paid off. Deal with the loss but don't dwell on it long. It will only distract you from achieving a hire score on your next test. Realize it isn't your best and aim for a better score. You can do it, good luck.

[WeirdNurseKelly, BSN, RN]

I have removed a lot of stressors out of my life right now. One being a few of my classmates. I do take time to spend with friends, family, and my husband. I have come to realize I need some time for myself and time for family, oh and the husband. All separately and outside of school. I have done that a few times aleady. Two weekends ago my husband and I met up with a few cousins and some friends at the pumpkin patch and a corn maze. This Friday we are going to a haunted house. Yea it's kind of childish stuff but its fun, gets me around other people that arent students (we dont have to talk about school ALL THE TIME) and it took my mind off of things.

The approach I have taken to studying is new and a totally different way of how I studied before. I do feel like I benefit from listening to the lectures I have recorded. I have found several parts in my notes that are missing tiny bits of information.

I may just have to do posters and stuff around the house. Not only school related but postive reinforcement so that I can stay positive and keep the negative out.

I have also started taking the bus to class (its free and I don't have to mess with parking, lots of campus construction right now) and that has made me have to walk a little more. I take a multivitamin and TRY to drink more water. Sometimes I go a whole day without water. Shame shame, as a future nurse (8 more months to go) I should know better.

Thanks for the tips. I am staying positive. I have done enough mourning over my bad grade. Time to think ahead. I just love allnurses.com. Great place to express my feelings. I always get such good feedback.

Thanks again.

[STUDENT NRS]

Hi Kelly

I completely know how you feel. I failed the second test of my second year, I got a 66 and I have been so down since then. I try not to let it get to me because i don't want it to affect my future exams. We give up so much of our time and family lol to get thru this and it sucks when it does not pay off. But stay positive and I will try to do the same for myself. If you ever need to vent or someone to talk to I am here

[WeirdNurseKelly, BSN, RN]

I failed my first pharm test too. Got a 71. I did talk to my instructor and I am working on getting testing accommodations so that I dont have distractions. My instructor thinks I am missing key pieces of information that the question is asking.

Plus I am getting help from a few other students. So I am on the right path and am very optimistic. And staying positive.

It does suck doesnt it. But we will get through this. Good luck to you.

[morningland]

I am first semester and failed my first two exams, so I had to re-think my studying.

Before I was reading ALL the required reading before class and I realized it was worthless because about zero percent of the information sunk into my head. What I do now is record the lectures, take notes in class with my laptop and then go home, relisten to the lectures and re-fine my notes. Then I go back into the reading and scan the information that wasn't really touched upon in class but really focus on the important topics and take "book notes" from the readings. This really helps to not only consolidate my time but more effectivly help me absorb the information and not just memorize it.

My only problem now is time management and with that being said, I should hit the books now.