First Exam Result

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2006

(1) Did you do some de-briefing on your test? What I mean is did you go over the correct answers and find out where you made your mistakes? Were your mistakes due to not studying the right information or because of the way the questions were presented? It is important to understand how you went wrong, so you can make corrections in your study and test taking techniques in getting prepared for the next exam.

(2) I would take what you've heard from another student about this August 6th start date with a big grain of salt. First, things change in people's lives. People withdraw from the waiting list or for some reason or another aren't able to start the program. The school then goes to the next person on the list. Get your name on it! Second, I know this might sound a little paranoid, but how can you be sure that this girl next to you heard and interpreted correctly what the counselor told her, that she isn't looking out for her own interests and outright lying to you or just trying to deliberately, or subconsciouly, bum you out. As you said, getting into the nursing program is a competitive application process. Some people don't play fair. There's no way to actually know how the program picks people to fill the spots in their program and if they make allowances for exceptions to their own application policies. Get on that waiting list now and get your number in the line before someone else gets there before you. Even if you can't get an August start date, let me share something I've discovered as I age. Time seems to move a lot faster than it did when I was a kid waiting for Christmas to come every year. The time will go by faster than you think.

NRSNFL · Feb 2, 2006

(1) Did you do some de-briefing on your test? What I mean is did you go over the correct answers and find out where you made your mistakes? Were your mistakes due to not studying the right information or because of the way the questions were presented? It is important to understand how you went wrong, so you can make corrections in your study and test taking techniques in getting prepared for the next exam.
(2) I would take what you've heard from another student about this August 6th start date with a big grain of salt. First, things change in people's lives. People withdraw from the waiting list or for some reason or another aren't able to start the program. The school then goes to the next person on the list. Get your name on it! Second, I know this might sound a little paranoid, but how can you be sure that this girl next to you heard and interpreted correctly what the counselor told her, that she isn't looking out for her own interests and outright lying to you or just trying to deliberately, or subconsciouly, bum you out. As you said, getting into the nursing program is a competitive application process. Some people don't play fair. There's no way to actually know how the program picks people to fill the spots in their program and if they make allowances for exceptions to their own application policies. Get on that waiting list now and get your number in the line before someone else gets there before you. Even if you can't get an August start date, let me share something I've discovered as I age. Time seems to move a lot faster than it did when I was a kid waiting for Christmas to come every year. The time will go by faster than you think.

Thank you for the words of wisdom...I've been waiting for some all night. Yes I went to my professor (B/C she collected the tests after letting us see our grades-and they were scantron) and I have to meet with her after lab on Monday...so I can do that. I am really just shocked and you may be right, but the girl I've been partnering with has been just as aggressive about learning the status of the program as I because we're in the same boat. I know time flies...trust me with a 2 year old, I can hardly believe it's been two years already...but I have other plans other than just nursing school (like having another child) but all that is pending the completion of nursing school and starting my career. Ugh.....there's always a back up plan though.....thanks again, I appreciate it, you have some very valid points.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2006

Totally agree with Daytonite on both counts. Some students try to eliminate the competition. Micro is a tough course. I made alot of flash cards and corrected my mistakes on exams and did well. By correcting your mistakes, a cumulative final will give you a good shot at improving your grade. Hang in there.

mediatix8 · Feb 2, 2006

Every teacher is different in how they organize the class. Perhaps reading each sentence and underlining everything is the text is not the best way to prepare for this particular class. In nursing school, it was that way. They assigned us many chapters a week for each class and told us not to read every page because it was impossible- especially for Patho/Physiology. I remember that that class I had to tape record the class and listen to it later, writing down every sentence the teacher said. I would only look in the book for clarifications on things or when she specifically said to study a particular page or section. I went form a C to a B doing that, and I was studying a whole lot less. I'm not saying that this approach would work for you in your Micro class, just saying there are different approaches for every class. Maybe reading a chapter earlier, like you are doing, makes you forget too much by the time the test comes around. 1-2 days before the actual test is when you should study the most as that's what you're going to remember best. Also, some classes you aren't going to get an A. I was a straight A student in high school. I had many classes I did not get an A in during nursing school. I got a B in Anatomy as well. You don't have to be perfect, you only have to do well enough to pass. It's hard for someone who is used to getting A's now getting a 77% on a test but that's just how it is. Nursing and science classes at the college level are very challenging, some classes more than others.

Stdy2BaNurse · Feb 2, 2006

All advice given so far is right on the money! And as for the 'full class' - I went to an informational meeting recently at a different campus and she told us that last year, she had a full class but ended up taking 10 of her wait list because, like Daytonite said, things change in people's lives - you don't want to wonder what would have happened if you had applied. I hate to say this, but at this point in the game, you have to look out for your own interests. I have 3 very close friends that I've made through school - we met in practically our first class. We have come to an 'us against them' mentality - which I just dislike so much - but that is the way the competition is for these spots. She may have even meant well, but you don't want to wonder.....

Good luck with Micro. It was a difficult class for me, but I got through it and with an A, too. Really scour that test and try to determine the causes for the mistakes.

analee23 · Feb 2, 2006

A lot of times when you get into a new class with a new professor, a lot of what goes on with the first test is just basically understanding how the professor tests... Going in and discussing the wrong questions with the professor is probably one of the best things you can do.

Many times I would just have to figure out what material was more important to the professor. Some teachers like to take concepts from the figures, some like to cover stuff only from their notes. My micro teacher LOVED the book and you would have to study the text like crazy... whereas my A&P teacher pretty much only took material out of the notes.

Don't stress too much about this first test... there was a girl in my micro class who was a wonderful student and failed her first micro test, only to work her way back up to a B by the end of the semester. Just learn from it, that's all I can say... learn from it and move on. "Just Keep Swimming!" (Finding Nemo... figured you'd know it if ya had a 2 year old!)