Flunking 3rd semester AA program

luvs2readlotsRN · Apr 15, 2008

Pm'd you.

jjjoy, LPN · Apr 15, 2008

It could be a better strategy to NOT try to cover EVERYTHING when you study. It would be ideal to be able to thoroughly review it all, but there are only so many hours in the day. Instead, skim all the material so you know what's covered but don't expect to have it all memorized. Instead, pick and choose what to spend more focused study time on. Yes, it's a bit of a gamble, because there may be questions that you can't answer because you didn't study that part. But what's the good of studying everything if you can't remember it all anyway? It's okay to miss a few questions if you get the others right.

Talk to students have been doing well on tests and ask them how they prioritize what they study. Maybe you can join a study group with successful students. Think back on previous tests and the types of questions asked, subjects covered, etc. For example, you may notice that questions rarely demand detailed recall of pathophys or recall of multiple lab values but often ask about the rationale for nursing interventions. So then you'd prioritize the studying of the latter over the former. You could review the former just well enough to understand the basics and not be totally unfamiliar with it, but when it comes to focused studying, spend more time on the latter.

You also might want to think if there's anything in your testing style that could use adjustment. If you don't absolutely *know* an answer, does your mind freeze up? If that's the case, allow yourself to not be absolutely certain... then carefully review the question, seeing if you can knock out a couple of 'definitely wrong' choices, and finally, considering how test questions are generally written, which answer you're going to go with. Given that test questions are often written a bit vaguely, it's normal to not be absolutely sure of an answer and just have to make your best guess... but again, that guess may need to based on what you think the TEST answer is, as opposed to the possible real-world interpretations of the scenario.

You clearly are doing something right because while 75% may not be enough pass, it does show that you know quite a bit. So don't discount that. You probably have a very good foundation and now you just need to make some adjustments to better prepare for and take the tests.

jjjoy, LPN · Apr 15, 2008

duplicate, oops!

rivera1019 · Apr 15, 2008

I am really down right now and would like advice or just like to hear from someone who's going through what I'm going through. I am in my 3rd semester of nursing and I am feeling so discouraged right now. I have never been so stressed in my life. I have passed only one of our test and now we have one more test and the final. I am so far at a 75% and I have to have a 76% overall average to pass the course. For the last two tests, I studied everyday, did NCLEX questions, recorded the lectures, listened to the lectures again, and took notes. My house was a either a mess or I was paying my cousin to clean up for me because I was always studying, studying, studying. I let everything go. I haven't been out anywhere for the last 6 weeks, except once. All I do is study, study, study. People told me that I was studying too much, our last test was on G.I. and part of Diabetes and the packet of powerpoint notes that they gave us was literally 200 pages. There was so much information to cover in 3 weeks. When I got the test yesterday, it was like my mind went blank on some of the questions because I just had too much information in my head. I couldn't even remember the diet for Gastritis. I made stupid mistakes on the test. Does anyone have any tips for having to learn so much information in so little time and be able to retain all of the information? I believe I am going to have to repeat 3rd semester. But, before I do, I would like some tips because I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Thank you.

hey there,

i have been there, try to study with someone, or if you do have someone try someone else to give a better idea, someone who did really well, and tell them you don't want answers but you want to know how they are preparing for the test and if u fail which i hope u don't then take it over it will just make u a better nurse trust me my good friend fail the last semester by one point and the teacher would not give it her she was a great person also studied and always on time had all good grades she could not believe it to make story short she is now an RN in the ER and has everything under control i know because i took my grandmother there and she was not my nurse but made sure i had a room for grandmother and she was treated great. i failed twice my boards this is going to be my third time testing i had lots of problems i got pregunant and the i was bleeding and they thought the baby was not going to make, then they said the baby was going to have down syndome ,I got married had a baby boy, had a baby shower and my son was born and was taking from me hours he was born to be put in NICU because of hypoglycemia, then i after all me problems i had no baby sitter and was trying to study with the baby in crib, i finally got everything fixed and the baby is fine now he is 1 year and 6 months now and i have a sitter for him and i am doing everything different to study, try study groups but study with people that are prepare and go in prepared with study guides answered and read your chapters that you will tested on completely, trust me you pass and have a good talk with your teacher and ask her/him what does she suggest or where does she think your a going wrong, trust me have a great communication with your teacher and you will be surprise at all the help, teachers are here to help you and guide you, i never missed a day of nursing school i had really tuff teachers they did not play, but i always did everything and studied hard and with a study buddy, i hope this helps and remember to pray before you take your test. good luck any questions let me know i will be more than happy to help you.

2bRnKim · Apr 15, 2008

If you can, talk to some of the upper level nursing students and see how they survived that instructors tests. It may not always be a problem of you not knowing everything, but a problem with test taking itself. Make sure to read the questions thoroughly. Also, I'm sure you have, but if not- read about how to answer NCLEX style test questions, which may help you to eliminate the wrong anwers. Last but not least- give yourself some personnal time to RELAX. If your totally stressed all the time, you don't sleep well or take tests as well. I hope you do weel on the finals!!!

Kim :wink2:

dtermineddenise · Apr 15, 2008

Thanks for your responses, everyone. Very helpful!!

TangoLima · Apr 16, 2008

Do you have someone to study with? It helps to be able to talk things over with other people. Not only can you clarify ideas with the other person, but talking about it solidifies it in your mind. If you don't have someone, talk out loud to yourself. You will remember more of what you see AND hear rather than what you just see.

Is there any way you can condense the information. My study partner and I made tables/charts for everything throughout nursing school. When you can "see" the information in a condensed logical format, it is easier to recall later.

Good luck.

dtermineddenise · Apr 16, 2008

Hi Tango,

Yes, I have a study partner that makes no less than 88 or all of her tests. We talk it out and it does, but she seems to have the perfect memory. For this last test on G.I. I condensed mostly everything down and it is so much better and much easier on the brain and the eye. But, it is so time consuming until I wonder if it is worth losing so much study time. Did you consider it to be time consuming? In an AA program they cover so much material in so little time.

Thank you.

NurseJeanB · Apr 17, 2008

I think that is just the way it is in nursing school. So much information, so little time. When you are studying with your study partner (the one who does so well) pay attention on what they focus in on. I have one teacher who is a PHD, who calls herself a professional student, and she tells us all the time, the way to read is to skim. Read the first paragraphs, all the pictures, charts, tables, and the end of chapter summaries. Then go to your lecture and if you need clarification go back and read the section in more depth. She also says do not just spend hours and hours reading. At any one time set aside at most 2 hours and take breaks. She also says pick a time that is your "nectar hours". For her it is 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Now I know that is really early, but she has children and it is a time when she can be completely alone and focused. She says she fixes her big cup of tea and just sits down in the same place and studies, and she says she get much more done then if she plans on studying a whole day. Also if your tests are like NCLEX questions I would read through NCLEX test taking strategy guide. I read a test taking strategies book before nursing school and it really helped me. Lastly, it sounds like you are suffering a little test anxiety. Remember to deep breathe. You have another test and the final and you are only a smidgen away from passing. Don't make it out to be too daunting a task. I think you can do it, and I will be pulling for you. Best of luck. Jean

nursekatie22, RN · Apr 17, 2008

i hope things get better for you. if you have a teacher worth anything (and i had one who honestly couldn't do this) he/she'll be able to give you pointers on what they're looking for and ways to approach the material. also, the suggestion about talking to students who are doing better than you is also good. joining studygroups with those people can also be helpful because doing things solo isn't always the best.

for me to suceed, i had to do the study group thing, make my notes, re-write my notes, study the lecture/textbooks, say it, read it again, write it again......you get the picture. it sucked, but it was worth it cause i finished in december '06 and lived to tell about it!

to get there though, i failed two classes at my original school (which was th limit) so i had to transfer to another school 4 hours away--a place where i'd only have to repeat one class. it ended up okay and i know what you're going through, but if you do everything that's been suggested here, you'll be fine.

trying to do it alone was my biggest mistake. the people who succeeded were in studygroups 98% of the time and it obviously worked for them!

good luck!

dtermineddenise · Apr 17, 2008

Thank you so much for your advice, Jean. Well...I found out that the test I took the other day, I made a 78. Not the greatest, but hey...at least I passed. My overall average is 76.43% now. So, I'm still pushing forward, but I am so afraid of the final. My instructor already mentioned that her finals aren't easy and it's comprehensive. So pray for ME!!!!! Thank you all for your advice and encouragement.:redbeathe