I just started nursing school at a 2 year college and it is much more difficult that I anticipated. I haven't been failing, but definitely not the best either or not as good as I'd want to do. The last test I took just about killed me. Our teacher seems to be sort of scatter brained as well and isn't very helpful, either. I studied everything I could, tried as hard as I could, and still didn't know all the information and pretty sure I failed. Sometimes that feeling just makes me want to quit in the beginning while I'm not too deep into the course. I've tried making study groups but it just seems like most of my classmates are not into the idea of it. Or they're just too busy. I don't really feel a community in my group. It feels like it's all a huge competition, along with all the little cliques that makes it a bit lonely as well, going through it. I really had my mind set on nursing for a long time and I really wanted to become a CRNA eventually (yes, very far off future, I know). But now I'm just not sure what to make of it all, let alone if I'll even get the grades I need. I know it's too soon to maybe even draw a conclusion... I just don't know if I have what it takes.
Just wanted to chime in here - you are not alone. This site is here for us to ask advice, learn, and in my opinion; verify that we are not alone in many situations we are going through. Now with that being said, I too am a first year nursing school student, and about 80% of my class did not pass our first exam. Most of us felt the same way you do. We all took different approaches to handling a failed test - coming to Allnurses was one of the places I looked for advice, along with gathering advice from 3rd year students, seasoned nurses, instructors, and a few of my brand new nurse friends. Take all of the advice - even the not so nice ones - then take what works for you from each person and throw away the rest. Some people are motivated by straight forward, callous remarks, some people aren't. Lots of really good advice on here - Best advice I have received so far: If you truly want it - fight for it - and it will happen - but it will be extremely hard. Good luck and unless you can see yourself in a different career - don't give up!!
Since writing by hand takes longer it allows more time for your brain to process the information. Also, there have been studies done showing that students who write their notes by hand outperform those who take notes on a computer.
I'm a big proponent of evidence based practice in education.
YES! I'm a big believer in a written component for studying! Before I started my second degree Accelerated BSN program I always hand wrote my notes, however I found I couldn't keep up in class with handwriting notes. I would type my notes in class and then later when studying I would hand write the important stuff out. I had different colored pens that I used when doing so and would change colors every time I moved to a new topic or subtopic. Sometimes a visual cue can really help- thinking back and remembering two points were different colors can help you remember they weren't for the same topic, etc.
Something else I started doing while taking summer course pre-reqs and continued throughout my nursing program was recording the lecture. I spent $40 on a Sony recorder and I'd keep it right next to me. If I missed something in lecture I would make a note of the time of the recording in my notes (18 min, 45 min, 53 min, etc.) so I could easily go back and listen to just that small section (I didn't have time to re-listen to every recording).
I know exactly how you feel! I've tried studying with groups and the schedules don't align to make it work. A useful strategy that one of my professors taught me was a teach-back method. Which is simply, learning the material then teaching it to someone. Not only do you gain more knowledge, you teach someone else something and they have an opportunity to ask questions which further expands your understanding.
I know exactly how you feel! I've tried studying with groups and the schedules don't align to make it work. A useful strategy that one of my professors taught me was a teach-back method. Which is simply, learning the material then teaching it to someone. Not only do you gain more knowledge, you teach someone else something and they have an opportunity to ask questions which further expands your understanding.
Things will get better for you, I promise!
That is an awesome idea! Hope my boyfriend can be pretend to be interested :)
There is a you tube channel called empoweRN by Carolina Porter Thomas and she has some really great videos. There's one in particular I'm thinking of you'd benefit from watching and it's about study skills. I forget the name of it but it is 1 hr 11" I believe. One of her longer ones. Go check her out. :)
Soreadytobern
12 Posts
Just wanted to chime in here - you are not alone. This site is here for us to ask advice, learn, and in my opinion; verify that we are not alone in many situations we are going through. Now with that being said, I too am a first year nursing school student, and about 80% of my class did not pass our first exam. Most of us felt the same way you do. We all took different approaches to handling a failed test - coming to Allnurses was one of the places I looked for advice, along with gathering advice from 3rd year students, seasoned nurses, instructors, and a few of my brand new nurse friends. Take all of the advice - even the not so nice ones - then take what works for you from each person and throw away the rest. Some people are motivated by straight forward, callous remarks, some people aren't. Lots of really good advice on here - Best advice I have received so far: If you truly want it - fight for it - and it will happen - but it will be extremely hard. Good luck and unless you can see yourself in a different career - don't give up!!