First exam, feeling discouraged :(

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Now it wasn't terrible or anything. ( like a 20%) but I feel really upset. I am not one of those all A students, usually B's with occasional C's. It makes me question whether or not I can do this. I start questioning whether or not I am smart enough. I am by no means quitting but I can not fail at this! Anyone have any tips? Or did you go through this?

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Now it wasn't terrible or anything. ( like a 20%) but I feel really upset. I am not one of those all A students, usually B's with occasional C's. It makes me question whether or not I can do this. I start questioning whether or not I am smart enough. I am by no means quitting but I can not fail at this! Anyone have any tips? Or did you go through this?

That's a normal feeling anyone goes thru. Just hope and pray(if you're religious) that you pass.. But if you didnt get a good outcome, take some days to internalize it. Cry if need be.. You're human. We have emotions. It normal. But dont let that dwell on you. wipe those tears away and get back on that horse.. Study again. Read again. Practice again. Failure is when you have given up. A nurse is not measured by how many times he/she took the test. It is what you know and how you apply critical thinking/judgement. I know a nurse who took it 7 times and she is a DON. So, don't be discouraged. Just know, if you really will it... You'll be a registered nurse. Hope this helps a bit...

-smontenegro23

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Specializes in home health, developmental disabilities.

I'm right there with ya! I got an 84. And I don't know whether to be happy that I scored above the 77 minimum or devastated that I can't afford to get any bad grades or my average will drop drastically. I went into the exam after studying everything and she mostly focused on two of those 20 chapters. It's very frustrating!

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Specializes in home health, developmental disabilities.

By the way I'm always looking for study partners so we can possibly help each other improve

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Me too! But I live an hour away. So idk what to do.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

First is the worst. I'm sure they told you it would be hard. Now you understand. Nursing exams require a whole new level of thinking foe most people. Now that you know what is expected and have seen what you'll be asked, you are more prepared. Also grab an nclex book or two, use their questions to prepare you for the content and question styles of nursing exams.

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First is the worst. I'm sure they told you it would be hard. Now you understand. Nursing exams require a whole new level of thinking foe most people. Now that you know what is expected and have seen what you'll be asked, you are more prepared. Also grab an nclex book or two, use their questions to prepare you for the content and question styles of nursing exams.

What NCLEX book do you recommend for content studying while in school?

thanks

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
What NCLEX book do you recommend for content studying while in school?

thanks

PrepU has an NCLEX 10,000 that's great. Many of your books may have a code on the inside for free NCLEX questions and resources. If you buy supplemental books, definitely check the inside covers of these as well. I know the "Made easy" series have codes that allow more questions.

If you have not bought any of the Success series, it's a must have.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Med-Surg-Success-Applying-Critical-Thinking/dp/0803625049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410568935&sr=8-1&keywords=med+surg+success

Hope that helps!

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Specializes in ortho, hospice volunteer, psych,.

I think the first exams in any college class are traumatic for almost every student, if they're honest with themselves and others. My husband is a college professor and he has said that nearly every student slinks out of the room after the first test or paper is handed in, thinking he's failed it miserably, or sails out convinced he's aced it. College tests and papers are graded differently than those in high school are graded. Not because all the faculty and T. A.s are mean-spirited old grinchs, but because you will be expected to learn more than you ever thought possible in a very short time. Guess what? Once you adjust to the idea, you'll be off and running.

What about making an appointment with your instructor and ask her for help getting acclimated to the class. She can give you lots of ideas for becoming a better student and have lots of tips on developing better study habits. Remember, she (they) want you to well.

Another thing that will help you is joining a study group.

Over this weekend, don't sit around and worry. It doesn't help at all. You're going to do better from now on. Hugs.

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For one, do not feel bad smontenegro23! A lot of people failed our first test! It was definitely different than any typical test. The critical thinking aspect is certainly hard to adjust to but is completely necessary. Now you have a little more knowledge going into the next one and some experience knowing what methods of studying may or may not work for you personally.

Second, dorkypanda, we use a book called Fundamentals of Success. It was an optional buy for our program but almost everyone has bought a copy. It is filled with NCLEX type questions over most of the chapter topics our fundamentals of nursing book also covers. They help get you in the mindset necessary to answer those questions correctly. As well, it explains why the correct answer for each question is the best option because, as you've probably figured out, sometimes all the answers are right. Hope this helps!

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For one, do not feel bad smontenegro23! A lot of people failed our first test! It was definitely different than any typical test. The critical thinking aspect is certainly hard to adjust to but is completely necessary. Now you have a little more knowledge going into the next one and some experience knowing what methods of studying may or may not work for you personally.

****thanks so much!!!!!!

Second, dorkypanda, we use a book called Fundamentals of Success. It was an optional buy for our program but almost everyone has bought a copy. It is filled with NCLEX type questions over most of the chapter topics our fundamentals of nursing book also covers. They help get you in the mindset necessary to answer those questions correctly. As well, it explains why the correct answer for each question is the best option because, as you've probably figured out, sometimes all the answers are right. Hope this helps!

-smontenegro23

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I haven't taken my first test yet, but I'm having a pretty bad time with the practice questions I've done so far. It's a different way of thinking that we need to get used to. I never thought I'd say it but I miss A&P. It was much nicer to learn and memorize FACTS and not have to deeply understand rationales behind them! Our program recommended Davis' Test Success so I have that as well as the Fundamentals Success that PP posted. I haven't touched the Fundamentals one yet, but the Test one so far has been pretty helpful in identifying the areas I need to work on as far as studying habits, time management, etc.

I was reading an article from Kahn academy last night that made me feel a little bit better about not understanding everything right away. It was all about how making mistakes and getting things wrong is what helps us to learn. It forms new neuronal pathways in your brain (or something like that, it was midnight when I read it and I was exhausted haha)

Try not to beat yourself up too much, this is new for you and if you keep trying and practicing you will get it. Abandon the negative thinking and stop asking yourself if you're smart/good enough. Your intelligence and worth as a person is not determined by one test.

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