what is better study technique?

QuietRN · Mar 9, 2009

I'm a firm believer in getting enough sleep. Cramming for a test is never an effective way to study. Your brain is so overloaded with tons of new info (assuming you haven't read the material previously) and there's no way it will retain that info! If you're suffering from lack of sleep, you will also have a hard time retaining the information. So, my advice is to not put off studying until the night before (to begin with)...but to get enough sleep ("enough" is relative) that night before so you can at least focus while taking the test. Good luck!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2009

A good night's sleep beats cramming. The best study technique, in my experience, is to study in bits and pieces. Study for a half an hour, take a break, then study a little more. Long stretches of studying get monotonous and I find that I don't retain as much.

allnurses Guide · Mar 9, 2009

Depends on how YOU study best. I retain much more info at night, so I tend to stay up late studying. Even if I start earlier, I am just not as effective early on. I do make sure I still get enough sleep the night before a test, which for me is 5-6 hrs.

Ruthiegal · Mar 9, 2009

Get a good night's sleep, then prime your mind before the exam. Take some time just before the test and slowly look through your notes, no cramming, just priming the thoughts in the right direction.

tma0312 · Mar 9, 2009

i was a crammer, however, I never sacrificed my sleep. I would study all day, but be in bed by 930 or 10. If I felt up to it in the morning, I would do a quick review (emphasis on "review" - not learning new material.) My friends and I would get to school maybe an hour before the test and just throw knowledge around- it was always fun and relaxed and allowed us to clarify things we studied.

Barkley36 · Mar 9, 2009

Hi,

:twocents: I vote for sleep. Waiting until the last minute and cramming has never worked for me. In fact I normally do not study much (or at all) for a big test the day before the exam. I know many folks who don't have that luxury, but it works for me. I find that doing something to reduce my test anxiety and stress (such as walking, meditating, rubbing my dog's tummy, etc.) is of more importance than trying to memorize those last final details regarding electrolyte balance.

Cheers and good luck!