When you're swamped with reading assignments, how do you keep up? Do you read everything, or just skim over the important things? Just curious as to how everyone manages.
Jun 16, '04
I try to read it all, but sometimes, like you said, we are swamped with material and simply can't!
Then skimming comes in. Not very helpful and certainly not very useful for retaining information, but at least I get the gist of the idea.
Jun 17, '04
I try to read everything but I also learn where individual instructors tend to get their test questions. Some get many questions from the reading and in those classes I make sure I read everything. Some instructors seem to take most if not all of their questions from the class lecture and if I am swamped I will just skim the readings in their classes.
Jun 17, '04
I read it all. Whenever I skim I seem to miss something that shows up on a quiz or test and I kick myself for it later.
Jun 17, '04
I read it all. Granted, it might not get read in time for the lecture, but it does get read. I found that the bulk of test material comes from lectures. So, if faced with having to make a choice between reading the textbook and the lecture notes, I go with the lecture notes.
Jun 17, '04
I have to admit, until this semester, I never read anything but the med surg. book(Lemone). It was like my nursing bible, still is. I have found that the other books provide reinforcement, but typically have the same information. If I have trouble comprehending the med surg material, I seek clarification in the others. This semester, my instructor is not a wealth of information so I TRY to read everything.
Jun 18, '04
I read what I can, but there just aren't enough hours in the day so I skim, skim, skim! I also type up study guides for myself, which has become an invaluable way of studying for me. I learn while I type, then read those before the exam.
Jun 18, '04
I skim before the lecture and then read all and well before the test. I try to really concentrate on what was in the lecture, but they do throw in something that was in the chapter that they maybe just lightly mentioned or maybe not at all in lecture on the test
Rhonda
Jun 18, '04
I read what I could. I had a toddler while attending nursing school. My advice- bring a mini cassette recorder to class & ask the instructor if you can tape the class. Most of what you are tested on, is what the instructor teaches you. The instructors stress the important points that you will need throughout your career. And, if you are working in a health facility- ask the nurses if you can observe them performing procedures, unfortuneatly, clinicals do not provide everything, and experienced nurses have alot to teach too.....good luck
Jun 18, '04
I'll be honest. I only read what I have to. If something is not clear, I will look it up. But, if I have a grasp of it or the notes are clear, I will just go off of that. I also use a few classmates as study partners and hearing them explain it helps me.
And, yes, I get good grades!
Jun 19, '04
I do about 75% of the reading (and get about 85% of the stuff right on tests!). The other 25% seems to just be things that were thoroughly covered in the lecture portion.
Jun 19, '04
I'm taking an intensive A&P course now, with a test on a full chapter every 3 days. I'm doing a lot of skimming, but..........what I do is the homework portion first - about 15-20 multiple choice and then 15 essay questions. After that is done I do the lab, then go and read the chapter. It gives me a good idea how the test will go and what will be on it.
This is the only course I've done it for though. I took Human Bio last semester, and wouldn't be taking this A&P course now if I hadn't, and read everything completely 3 or 4 times, but we also had a week to do it in. Big difference!
Jun 19, '04
Quote from studentnurse74
When you're swamped with reading assignments, how do you keep up? Do you read everything, or just skim over the important things? Just curious as to how everyone manages.
I'm not a student anymore but when I was I read every book every page. Skimping through may get you enough to pass a test and even pass the boards but you will still have missed so much! I couldn't function if I knew information was available to me and I didn't take it.
Never be so rushed that you can't complete your reading assignments. You can eat, sleep and socialize in your next life. This one is devoted to nursing.
Jun 16, '04Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 3,725; Likes: 458I try to read it all, but sometimes, like you said, we are swamped with material and simply can't!
Jun 17, '04Occupation: RN Joined: Sep '03; Posts: 175; Likes: 2I try to read everything but I also learn where individual instructors tend to get their test questions. Some get many questions from the reading and in those classes I make sure I read everything. Some instructors seem to take most if not all of their questions from the class lecture and if I am swamped I will just skim the readings in their classes.
Jun 17, '04Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 1,318; Likes: 41I read it all. Whenever I skim I seem to miss something that shows up on a quiz or test and I kick myself for it later.
