For those going to 2nd semester--what will u do differently?

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Hey everyone! Well, for anyone that just completed their first semester....how was it and what do u guys plan on doing differently as far as studying, participating in activities, test preparations, your jobs, your family, your relationships, etc?

Well I guess I will start:

-I plan to read each and everything I get from the instructors the moment it is presented to me and not wait until I get home to read it.

-Have my Patho book FRONT AND CENTER when I am studying (understanding the disease and the disease process is half the battle)

-Print out notes in outline form as well as powerpoint slide form

-Spend less time on the phone (now that my bf and I are over guess I don't have to worry about that too much)

-Take more breaks. Sometimes I would study for hours and hours without a break which would cause me to retain less.

-Always have notes prepared as if Finals were next week. This year for finals I found myself reading EXTRA things on top of what I already had prepared.

-Keep A&P pictures handy all the time!

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How I did it last semester worked really well for me. The one thing I will change second semester (because it is a lot more indepth) is to not wait until 2-3 days before a test to start studying but to study at a more consistent pace. Hopefully they will have the module reading assignments posted for lecture several days in advance so that I can read ahead and be more prepared for lecture.

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

i will review if not daily, every other day to be better prepared for the tests.

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I did well this semester but I did stress my self waaay too much! I would change the way I study a bit, like the op said about studying w/o breaks...thats what I would change. I would go to the library all day and just study from morning till it closed. Im going to start reading the chapters before class and study my notes consistantly a week before the exam rather than 2 days before. Finally, I am going to NOT neglect my workouts because Ive probably gained 10lbs in 1 semester :o

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I probably won't do anything differently. I'll read the book as necessary, listen in class, and that's about it.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Our second semester was completely different than our First. That said, I didn't do anything different until my second half of my third semester. They started testing a lot more out of the book so that got me to finally actually open my book and start reading it. Turns out it's a pretty good book and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. LOL

Anyway, that was about it.

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I did well this semester but I did stress my self waaay too much! I would change the way I study a bit, like the op said about studying w/o breaks...thats what I would change. I would go to the library all day and just study from morning till it closed. Im going to start reading the chapters before class and study my notes consistantly a week before the exam rather than 2 days before. Finally, I am going to NOT neglect my workouts because Ive probably gained 10lbs in 1 semester :o

Oh my gawd same here! Those are definitely my plans to start back working out. This semester alone I gained 8 lbs.

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I will def READ every night and not wait until 3 days before the tests. I will try my hardest to have my reading done before classes so I know what the frig theyre talking about! lol I did not do that last semester. I cannot for the life of me figure out my professors testing pattern and how they come up with their questions. there doesnt seem to be a clear strategy, like if you read every word of the chapters, the questions come from there or if you study the powerpoints, youll be set. I wish I knew!

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SAME! I used to go to a pilates & a spin class. All of that stopped when I gave up my nursing school. I've gained 10 lbs! I'm getting back in the gym, no excuses! And hopefully this time I will know what to expect.. Last semester was my 1st semester and it was just insane! Skill check offs, tests back to back, etc. Very intense! Hoping this next one goes a little better.

As far as what I plan to do differently, though... I just dont know! I would like to stop comparing myself to my classmates though, and give myself more credit than I do.

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yes, not comparing yourself to your other classmates is good advice...there are so ppl who just get it and are doing very well with little effort-that can be very intimidating. dont ask what others ppls test scores are or how theyre doing, etc..just focus on YOU

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Since the end of my 1st quarter, I have been learning to NOT over-study. Instead of waiting the few days before a test to study/read, I will start my reading as soon as I am aware of the assignment. I plan to read 15-30 minutes at a time, take a 30 minute break. Hang out with my husband and kids more and incorporate an exercise routine.

I must learn to be okay with shorter time frames. I never liked the 15/30 minute time frame because I felt like I would miss out on something. But the one good thing about nursing school is that it has taught me to be flexible with just about every aspect of my life.

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I will pre-read all assignments, have questions ready to ask during appropriate time during lecture, and also (and I suggest you beginners take this to heart) go into it as if it were a job. It is our job to complete nursing school.. not just a continuation of High School, or another general degree.. If you can't do your "job" now, how are your going to do it after graduation! I'm going in with a new attitude. Not gonna show up in sweats.. jeans and a nice top will be ok, but this will be my job for the next year and 1/2 and if we dress seriously, maybe we can take our "job" more seriously. Also, instructors may take notice...

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