First Test

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So we had our first test last week and our second will be this week. I got an A, 97.5%, missed one question. It was really easy for me, the NCLEX styled questions didnt't phase me at all. I finished first, checked my answers twice and still ended up being the first to turn my test in. My teacher is known as one of the hardest and most thorough at our school, he has a 95% pass rate on the NCLEX. (The only reason it isn't 100% is because someone always drops. Every person from his class that takes the NCLEX passes it. Ex: we started with 25 people, 1 dropped already, looking at the past we can expect the 24/24 people left in the class to pass but they do have to count the one who dropped.)

From reading these forums, I was expecting something deathly hard, long sleepless nights of stressing and studying (actually that was the reality for some of my classmates). But nah, it was one of the easiest tests I have taken in my life. Really. *shrugs shoulders*. Maybe it is my study methods that made it so easy.

Based on what he said we can expect on our test this week, it looks like another walk in the park. :up:

So I want to thank everyone on here who shared their experiences and advice, that really helped me out too. :)

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Great job. But don't think nursing school is just a walk in the park. It starts out easy because you don't know a lot yet. The more you know, the more they expect of you. Keep it up and stay on top of your work! It goes by fast! Good luck!

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The more you know the more they expect of you.[/quote']

Hopefully they do, that's the best part. ;) Thanks!

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Once you get to the end, it's amazing to look back and see how much you have learned! I started last September, and I finish on June 27th! You can do it, just keep on top of everything! :)

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Specializes in Wannabe L&D, NICU, or OR.

What exactly are your studying methods? I start my program in September and really curious exactly what you do to study. I'm hoping not to be too overwhelmed when school starts. I will be working part time and have a household to run but I know some things will be put on back burner while I'm in school. I'm not the greatest test taker definitely more of a hands on person which is why I know I'll do great in clinically but trying to get as much advice/ tips on studying for tests and note taking.

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What exactly are your studying methods? I start my program in September and really curious exactly what you do to study. I'm hoping not to be too overwhelmed when school starts. I will be working part time and have a household to run but I know some things will be put on back burner while I'm in school. I'm not the greatest test taker definitely more of a hands on person which is why I know I'll do great in clinically but trying to get as much advice/ tips on studying for tests and note taking.

*cracks knuckles and stretches* Prepare for a long post. ;). We're in the same boat and it hasn't been too hard for me so far. I do a lot of studying but I still have a lot of free time on my hands. I haven't scored anything less than an A on any assignment so far, so my methods are working for me. Welp, here we go!

1. I record the lectures and re listen to them all the time.

This is especially helpful when I finishing my in class notes at home.

2. I read each chapter multiple times, four times being the minimum.

Even when we have several chapters at a time (like now for instance.) Now on this, I'm not reading the chapter completely and then starting right over and doing it again, no no no. :no: I will read the chapter when it is assigned and use my sticky notes to write down anything I need to ask my professor. Then when I am taking detailed notes I will read it again. I also read it as I'm making an outline on the chapter (more on that in a bit) and I will read it a final time a couple days before a test.

3. I use my highlighter SPARINGLY.

I highlight key words or phrases, I rarely highlight a full sentence and never multiple sentences. That way when I am speed reading my eyes are automatically drawn to key points.

Ex: This following sentence is out of my Foundations of Nursing book by Lois White:

The major purpose of primary care is to promote wellness and prevent illness or disability.

Here is what I highlighted:

The major purpose of primary care is to promote wellness and prevent illness or disability.

So when I am scanning the chapters I automatically see that primary care promotes and prevents illness versus seeing an entire sentence highlighted and having to read every word.

4. I use all of the supplements given to us plus some.

I use the cds that come with our books and play the games, watch the movies listen to the podcast, etc. It really helps. This is a reason studying is so easy for me too, a majority of it is games,literally. There are actual board games at books stores for nurses. Invest in them. I personally use a lot of supplements but considering that it is $300+ to retake the NCLEX supplements are a lot cheaper in my eyes.

I also use the following sites:

-Study blue - make your own flashcards and the program turns those into a test with fill in the blank, multiple choice, select all that apply, ect.

-Youtube

-Khan academy

-*Quizlet - I have heard good things about this site but I haven't tried it out yet.

- ATI - both assigned work and the resources on there. We also have ten textbooks for ATI, I use those too and do all the activities in them.

-Workbook - Every chapter we read we do the work book pages on. Normally my instructor just has us do the key words at the beginning (which is matching definitions to vocab words) and the assessment at the end, but I do all of the questions. Extra practice will never hurt.

- I make my own outline and study guide for every chapter we cover. This is basically a review session and I'll have them to use to study for the NCLEX: detailed, straight to the point info.

- I do every end of chapter assessment. If I miss one, I know I need to study that topic.

5. I take notes CORRECTLY

This is a big one. Notes are suppose to be a CONDENSED version of the chapter. Do not write everything the professor says and definitely don't copy the power point word for word. I use legal tablets to take notes and I use separate tablets for Lecture (in class) and Chapter (my personal notes, at home). On my chapter notes I tend to write a lot of mnemonics, and sayings that only I get but it works for me. My lecture notes are basically the things that my professor repeats, repeats and repeats or says "you need to be aware of this", which means we will see it on a quiz or test, which the explanation or rationale that HE gives. If I see the rationale is different when I am comparing my chapter notes I will ask him.

6. I make (corny) jokes using the subject matter.

This is easy easy easy! You can do it while walking, listening to the radio, anytime and anyplace. If you can make a comprehensive joke about the material, you've got it down. Just like explaining it to non nursing people so they can understand (I do that too). When we were going over nursing diagnosis I used this method a lot, for every "problem". Ex: Clients has decreased O2 intake r/t increased running after icecream truck AEB flushed faced, wheezing and O2 stats. I did this for everything and if I didn't get it right I would keep saying it until I did.

And that is what I have been doing so far, and I'm second in the class by a 1 point or so (would you believe #1 is a person I tutor?? Haha). It seems like a lot and I do most of that every day I study but I still have time for a life. So far this week we have 4 chapters to read, 4 workbook chapters to do, about 10 ATI assignments/tutorials to complete/watch (I also do the ATI textbooks and workbooks, even though they are not assigned). This week I have gone out twice, I clean my house everyday, cook breakfast and dinner every day (lunch, they fend for themselves. haha) work part time, do all the running around for my kids (two, one biological, I guardian of) and I still get 6 - 8 hours of sleep a day. Now that I write all of this out, how do I do all of this???:wideyed: Hahaha, I hope this helps!

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Specializes in Wannabe L&D, NICU, or OR.

Thank you sooo much! I will definitely use thus once I start school. We can't record lecture so can't use that one. I don't know ii just can't get my head around how everyone seems to be able to do and have time left over. I guess I will figure it out once I start school. I will need to invest in some good coffee lol by 930 I'm out for the night. How do you set up your outline? I see slot of people do that, I'm just not getting how it is set up.. Thanks again for the tips! Really appreciate it!

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Is there a way to get this sticky-noted? I am sure people could benefit from it over time. :)

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Thank you sooo much! I will definitely use thus once I start school. We can't record lecture so can't use that one. I don't know ii just can't get my head around how everyone seems to be able to do and have time left over. I guess I will figure it out once I start school. I will need to invest in some good coffee lol by 930 I'm out for the night. How do you set up your outline? I see slot of people do that I'm just not getting how it is set up.. Thanks again for the tips! Really appreciate it![/quote']

You are so very welcome! I'm glad I can actually help someone! :) I'll give you an example of my outline soon, I just have to type it up on here since I don't have a scanner. Get it to you soon ok?

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Is there a way to get this sticky-noted? I am sure people could benefit from it over time. :)

Aww thanks. :) I have no idea, I barely know how to post! :p hahaha.

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Specializes in Wannabe L&D, NICU, or OR.

No that's fine... I really appreciate that your willing to give it to me. You can also email it to me if that's easier [email protected] whenever you get to it is fine! Thanks!

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Thank you sooo much! I will definitely use thus once I start school. We can't record lecture so can't use that one. I don't know ii just can't get my head around how everyone seems to be able to do and have time left over. I guess I will figure it out once I start school. I will need to invest in some good coffee lol by 930 I'm out for the night. How do you set up your outline? I see slot of people do that, I'm just not getting how it is set up.. Thanks again for the tips! Really appreciate it!

Here is a section of my outline copied and pasted.

1. Primaryvs. Secondary health care systems

a. Primary– Promote wellnessand preventillness or disability. b. Secondary– Diagnose and treat after the clientexhibits symptoms of illness.

2. Tertiarycare –

a. Focuseson restoring the individual to the state of health that existed before the development of an illness; rehabilitative.

The # is just the main topic, the letter is the subtopic (with definition or emphasis) and the roman numerals (not shown here) are additional emphasis/explanations/illustrations/examples.

I do an outline like this for each chapter. The depth of the outline depends on how easy or difficult the chapter was for me. This is a relatively easy chapter for me so my outline is not as detailed because I did not need it to be. I based my outline off of the topics that my professor says specifically will be on the test (he normally writes a list on the board.) If the chapter was difficult for me I will do an additional outline going by each section of the chapter. The above outline was based of off what my professor said we needed to study and not the entire chapter.

I hope this helps a teensy bit.

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