how many hour do you study?

essarge · Feb 10, 2003

When I had nursing fundamentals, I would read the review at the end of the chapter first, answer the review questions next and then read the chapter. It seemed to make more sense for me. If there is a workbook available for the text you are using, I would recommend that you get that. The workbooks for my various nursing courses have helped me out on many exams!!!

NurseWeasel · Feb 10, 2003

Ask your instructor for some one-on-one time and explain that you're struggling. I did that in Chemistry and it saved my butt. She was able to explain it just a little differently so that suddenly it made sense to me. I agree with essarge about the workbooks too.

The length of time people study is so individual I don't think it would help if we all posted an answer... you just need to study and ask questions as needed until it 'clicks' for you. You might ask a student who's already had the class if they can tutor you.

Some of my classes I rarely crack the book other than reading the assignment prior to class. Other classes I spend an average of an hour a day but usually lumped into one or two marathon weekend study sessions. It totally depends on the subject.

Good luck, don't let your frustration build to the breaking point. Ask for some help.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Feb 10, 2003

I cannot get into reading the chapters.....they are so long & put me to sleep. We are required to do the study guides & turn them in---otherwise we lose 5 points on each test. I think that is one reason I am doing pretty good.

I really pay attention in class. I tape the classes also, but I haven't really gone back to listen to the tapes too often. Sometimes I type up my notes so that they are easier to read & I am getting a review of the information twice. Occasionally, I'll add information from the book that wasn't discussed in class.

If you are struggling on the exams, it could be that you are having a hard time understanding the questions since they are in a format most of us are not used to. I highly suggest getting a book that gives tips on how to take nursing exam tests. There are little keywords that if you aren't really paying attention, you can skip right over them. Also, get an nclex book--most of them also give tips. Some of them will even explain why the right answer is the right answer and why the wrong answers are wrong.

I also agree with talking to your instructor. She can probably help quite a bit.

memphispanda, RN · Feb 10, 2003

See if your book offers any sort of online learning experience. My Fundamentals book had a great website with multiple choice quizzes that really helped me prepare for tests.

2banurse · Feb 10, 2003

The one thing I found for myself is that if I study a little bit everyday, I'll absorb more than if I wait to study closer to a test. In our A&P lab, we get quizzes every week, and this helps me stay up on everything.

I thought about taping, but I found that I would feel stressed if I didn't get to go over the tape before class. Also, unless you are using it as a backup, I wouldn't rely on it. I've seen classmates bring in tape recorders but they wouldn't pay that much attention during school. I mean, what would happen if the recorder breaks? Better for me to be an active listener during lecture, than to rely on a tape that might not come out.

Talk with your instructor. Ask for study hints. It is in a school's benefit to have as many students graduate as possible.

Kris

memphisgurl · Feb 10, 2003

thanks so much you guys

NurseDixie · Feb 11, 2003

I also tape my lectures, and listen to them a few days before the test.I take notes while I listen to them. I do my study guides, I don't usually read the textbook chapters. I look online for whatever system we are studying. There are lots of good websites out there for this purpose.

Jennerizer, ASN, RN · Feb 11, 2003

Kris is right.....don't use the tapes in place of taking notes---they won't benefit you that way. I am pretty lucky with my instructor that she goes slow enough for us to be able to write down everything she is saying (my hand hurts!!!!!). Sometimes I will listen to the tapes, other times it helps when I leave the classroom to go to the bathroom or have one of those lovely coughing fits. We have a few people that bring in their laptops & just type the notes-----one of them sends me a copy, which is nice.

I am going to try what Kris said also....about reviewing the notes a little each night & see if it makes a difference for me.

If any of you have web sites for the Fundamentals book, please share. Because the Potter & Perry book I'm using has nothing except a Canadian version & things are a lot different in Canada compared to our book.

Mkue · Feb 11, 2003

Originally posted by essarge
When I had nursing fundamentals, I would read the review at the end of the chapter first, answer the review questions next and then read the chapter. It seemed to make more sense for me. If there is a workbook available for the text you are using, I would recommend that you get that. The workbooks for my various nursing courses have helped me out on many exams!!!

I agree, the workbooks or study guides really do help !

LPNtoBSNstudent, BSN, RN · Feb 11, 2003

This is what I do:

read the material, and go over the questions at the end of the chapter, making sure you know the concepts. Sometimes I do this BEFORE class and sometimes I don't.

Do all the outcomes/ objectives (hand written on paper) that the teacher lists in the syllabis

take notes during class and sometimes I rewrite them (rote memorization)

make flash cards (usually from definitions and concepts out of the objectives)

make a cassette tape of myself quizing myself (using the flashcards and objectives) Listen to the tape when i'm making dinner, driving, etc, so I can keep up to date and keep quizing myself (be sure to leave a pause in between the question and the answer on the tape---so you can give yourself time to think about it a minute).

form study groups

review notes from class daily

anticipate the questions that will be on the tests. One of my teachers has everyone make up ONE sample test question and then she types them up and gives us the sample test to help us study. The act of making up the sample question REALLY helps understand the material.

I don't do this for every one of my classes, just the more difficult ones. Good luck, I hope this helps!

memphisgurl · Feb 13, 2003

Thanks so so much.