Please Help

1. I am a first year uni student doing my RN's. I just can't motivate myself to do the theory work, as in studying. I have attended nearly every lecture and tutorial and nursing lab session but can't seem to motivate myself. Somebody please help the exams are coming up, i'll be stuffed if i can't get my act together soon. I love nursing but studying is the hardest bit for me.
   
   PLEASE HELP!!!!
2. 

   About Rav_810

   Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 145; Likes: 2
   'Assistant in Nursing' Uni Student-Nursing

   14 Comments

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3. 
   Oct 26, '02

   Occupation: new Med-Surg RN Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 957; Likes: 5

   I have a hard time hitting the books too. If I have papers to fill out or something like that, I am fine. But just sitting down to study is really hard for me. Anyway, I have done several things to try to get better about it. First, I decide ahead of time how long I am going to study and what time I will study. For example today (Saturday) my plan is to goof off from 8-9, clean house from 9-10, study pharmacology from 10-11, study med/surg from 11-12. In the afternoon I will repeat the schedule. I also have found that if I write down things while I am studying I retain them better. And if I walk while I am reading my book out loud I retain things better and don't fall asleep instead of studying. Hope this helps some!
4. 
   Oct 26, '02

   Occupation: Nurse Practitioner - community health center Specialty: urgent care, GYN, primary care ; Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 31; Likes: 1

   Something that works for me is scheduling time with study groups. That way I know I want to be at least somewhat prepared before I meet with them, so I do it. Then the study group helps me get my thoughts together. memphispanda is right - saying it out loud gets it into your head much better, so I try to "talk through" the theory stuff with other students.
   
   Good luck, you can do it!
5. 
   Oct 26, '02

   Occupation: 'Assistant in Nursing' Uni Student-Nursing Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 145; Likes: 2

   Thank you guys for the advice i will get down to it. Anyone else who has any studying techniques??
6. 
   Oct 26, '02

   Occupation: RN Joined: Jan '02; Posts: 1,732; Likes: 1

   Hi, I usually put it off as long as possible but then I get to it. I study for at least one hour and then take a fifteen minute break. I do this over and over. When my head starts to hurt or my body says enough, I listen. It is important to study the right information, use your notes as a guide. Go through the chapters and outline all the information you took in your notes. Then what I do is write that information out again. Look it over and then try to summarize each area. Do as much of this as you can and you'll get at least a 90 on your exam.
   Good Luck!
7. 
   Oct 26, '02

   Occupation: RN, MS home health Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 7,472; Likes: 49

   I used to break it up in small increments of time. Lets say study one hour, clean and hour, study, make dinner, study etc. Maybe that would make the task less daunting.
   
   renerian
8. 
   Oct 26, '02

   Occupation: ER nurse Specialty: med-surg, step-down, ICU/CCU, ED ; Joined: Jul '02; Posts: 116; Likes: 145

   memphispanda, that is GREAT advice! I am going to try that this evening.
   
   alem
9. 
   Oct 29, '02

   Occupation: Nurse Joined: Oct '01; Posts: 12,715; Likes: 2

   I think these are all great studying techniques !
   
   Good Luck Rav
10. 
    Oct 29, '02

    Occupation: RN in ICU Joined: Aug '02; Posts: 52

    I sometimes have a hard time getting into studying. I think its because of all the stuff I have to read, fill-out, etc. But its really really helpful to have a study group. Not only does it reinforce what you're learning but knowing that others depend on you to be prepared helps alot too!!
    
    Good Luck!!!!
11. 
    Oct 30, '02

    Occupation: LPN, Student Nurse Specialty: Geriatrics, Med-Surg ; Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 108

    I've had trouble too, so I started using a kitchen timer....starting with 20 minute study sessions, 10 minute break and gradually I found myself getting past the 20 minute mark and setting the timer for 45. At the minimum I try for 45 min studying and 15 minute break.
12. 
    Oct 30, '02

    Occupation: ED RN Joined: Sep '02; Posts: 2,475; Likes: 25

    For some reason study groups do not work for me. I learn much better and more efficiently on my own. But I understand they can be good for some people.
    
    Personally, I sit down and re-write the information. Sometimes I re-write my notes, other times I write out charts in the book. Whatever I feel like I don't have committed to memory, writing down helps me memorize it. For instance, I wrote out the order of Cranial nerves about 3 or 4 times until it was automatic. I don't time myself, I just work hard until my mind starts wandering. That's my clue that it's time to take a break. I'll get something to eat, watch tv, or go for a walk. Then come back and study some more.
    
    Then--when I'm in the car, waiting in line somewhere, or walking to a destination, I mentally explain the different concepts to myself.
    
    I make a point of NOT studying the hour before the exam. I don't want to confuse myself at that point by going over things too much.
    
    Hope some of that helps you.
    
    Mel
13. 
    Oct 30, '02

    Occupation: RN- MED/SURG Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 14

    Great suggestions eveyone. I use to rewrite my notes also. Flashcards are also good to use. I also would study with a NCLEX review book.
    Hope these tips helps! Best wishes!
14. 
    Oct 30, '02

    Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 119; Likes: 1

    One thing I do as well as re-writing my notes is after I have written them, I sit down at my computer and type them in WORD. I don't save them or even worry about spelling. It's the reading of the words over and over that is doing studying for me.

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