Published Aug 23, 2015
raynae14
1 Post
I'm currently in an associates degree nursing program and I'm worried about whether or not I will do well in the program. There's so much that I'm required to read I mean ALOT! And I'm worried about being able to retain as much information as I can. I've been keeping up with the readings so far but its a lot to remember. Right now we're learning about the nursing process: critical thinking, assessment, diagnosis, planning outcomes and interventions, implementation and evaluation. All topics are split into 7 chapters and its so much to remember. On top of that I'm reading doseage calculations book and I have readings for another nursing class I have to keep up with. My instructor says most of the questions on the exam will require more critical thinking and a little memorization. I'm really afraid of not being able to memorize most of this information. I really don't know what do do, but I'm not going to stop because I'm scared, worried or confused.
I really need some advice on how some of you kept up with the readings and what helped you retain more information. I'm a visual learner BTW.
Samm06, BSN, RN
126 Posts
Hello, I had those same feelings last semester when I first started nursing school. Make sure you keep up with your reading, if there are any questions at the end of the chapters make sure you answer them. What helps me is highlighting through out the text and rewriting any of the NCLEX questions at the end of the chapter and write the answer and rationale out. Rewriting everything has helped me. It may bee time consuming but you will learn what is actually needed to be rewritten and what is not. I didn't understand the nursing process when i first learned about it, and I still have trouble, but you'll be using it through out nursing school and your career so you'll get the hang of it. And for the dosage calculations, I literally would rewrite all examples and their explanations and then did all the reviews and tests and they help a lot. Don't focus on not being able to memorize things because that is really hard to do with nursing; once you learn about a concept and focus enough study/ lecture time on it, you'll be able to understand it better and able to answer those exam questions with no problems. Most times you are able to use process of elimination.
GuEsT78
111 Posts
Sounds like you're finding all that reading intimidating. Perhaps I should share an experience of mine from the tenth grade.
There's been some confusion about which of our mid-year semester exams would come in the morning and which in the afternoon. I got it wrong and showed up prepared for a math test. With all my classmates pouring over their biology books, I realized I was in trouble. I hated biology so much, I'd planned to do my only studying between the two tests.
Fortunately, one of my classmates came to my rescue. With but ten minutes until test time, she loaned my her handwritten notes and I began to read through them as fast as I could. They were absolutely marvelous, summarizing everything we'd covered that mattered. If she hadn't been the prettiest girl in the class, I'd have probably kissed her.
I kept reading until our teacher dropped the test in front of me. Then I shifted into answer mode, blitzing through the test while my short-term memory still recalled what I'd just read and skipping when I didn't know an answer. When I finished, I returned to the start and managed recall some more answers. Last of all, I made educated guesses on what remained. When we got our tests back, I'd gotten a B grade for that ten minutes of study. I was quite happy.
I would NOT recommend that as a study technique. What I would recommend is what my friend did when she prepared those notes. When you read those chapters, create handwritten notes of what matters. Do the same with your class notes. After each class, rework you notes into something more legible and complete. Study through those notes repeated throughout the semester. Don't be an idiot like me and put studying off until the last minute. Review, review and review. Each time you do, you'll learn a little more and move through the material a little faster.
Then the night before your test, you won't be overwhelmed looking at those seven chapters. You'll simply review those already oft-reviewed notes.
Also take note of what your professor said about 'critical thinking.' She doesn't want you to just spit back what is in those chapters. She wants you to look at the material from various angles so you really understand it. Test yourself on all those angles. Prepare for tests by giving yourself tests. That seems to be the real key.
Here's an article based on studies about what techniques work and what don't. You probably don't have the time for all the techniques, so pick what works best with you:
How To Study: The Best Ways To Get The Highest Grades
based on this article:
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Notice the additional links in that second article.
Dunlosky and colleagues report that spreading out your studying over time and quizzing yourself on material before the big test are highly effective learning strategies. Both techniques have been shown to boost students' performance across many different kinds of tests, and their effectiveness has been repeatedly demonstrated for students of all ages.In contrast, five of the techniques received a low utility rating from the researchers. Notably, these techniques are some of the most common learning strategies used by students, including summarization, highlighting and underlining, and rereading.I was shocked that some strategies that students use a lot — such as rereading and highlighting — seem to provide minimal benefits to their learning and performance. By just replacing rereading with delayed retrieval practice, students would benefit,†says Dunlosky.
In contrast, five of the techniques received a low utility rating from the researchers. Notably, these techniques are some of the most common learning strategies used by students, including summarization, highlighting and underlining, and rereading.
I was shocked that some strategies that students use a lot — such as rereading and highlighting — seem to provide minimal benefits to their learning and performance. By just replacing rereading with delayed retrieval practice, students would benefit,†says Dunlosky.
My hunch is all that 'delayed retrieval practice' and self-quizzing (including answering questions in the textbook) primes our minds to see this material as important and thus makes us remember it better. Last minute cramming won't do that.
Best of luck!
cupcakeluver
88 Posts
I agree with the poster who mentioned Nclex questions and writing the rationales. Writing helps me to remember better. The questions help you apply that critical thinking that everyone is talking about. I would pay close attention to the rationales that tell you why something is right or wrong. The questions won't be exactly the same on the test. By understanding the rationales, you will have a better understanding of how to correctly answer a question. Pay attention to nursing aspects. Knowing in depth details about a particular aspect is great.....but you have to be able to know what to do for your patient as the nurse.
If your first test grade isn't what you want, meet with the teacher. Go over that test and find out where you went wrong. Then change your study habits. It is a lot of reading, but you can do it. Try your best. It makes a difference. Good luck!!