Really Need Advice

fultzymom · Apr 6, 2007

I would suggest reviewing things with your instructor. See if the two of you can find out where things are messing up et if she has any tips for you. One thing that I did that helped was to write out the notes from class on index cards that way I could take them anywhere I went et study them without dragging my whole books along with me. Also the writing the information out completely helped me to remember. Try to take your time when testing. Don't worry abut how many people finished before you. I had a friend who was always one of the first done et if too many people finished before her, she would hurry up and then have a lower grade every time. Also I learned to trust my gut instinct. Sometimes I could not remember specifically WHY I thought an answer was the right one but I just knew that it was the last one. But the best thing I can suggest is go to your teacher before you have the failing grade. Just let her know that you are concerned with how you were doing really well at first et then your last two tests did not go as well. Waiting too long sometimes makes it impossible to make up. Good luck. Keep your chin up. Nursing school is hard et when you are done, you will feel so great about making it through.

shoegalRN, RN · Apr 6, 2007

I totally understand. My first foundations test I had a 72. I studied my butt off. My second test I had a 70, but I disputed 2 questions and my instructor automatically threw out 3, so I ended up just barely passing the second test. Again, I studied for days for that one, also pulling an all-nighter before the test (I think that's why I didnt do as well). I went and sat down with the instructor and it's my study habits. I'm a very detailed person, I pay great attention to details instead of the general picture. I also tend to read too much into the question and then will answer the question correctly (first instinct) then go back and talk myself right out of the correct answer and change it to the wrong one. I'm learning not to do this anymore. However, the detailed stuyding is working in Patho because I'm passing that class with flying colors.

I'm seeing a counselor for better study tips. I have a high test anxiety and one thing that he has taught me is to answer 10 questions at a time, then stop and relax and breathe, and then do the next 10. I have a test on 04/11/07, I'll see if that techinque really works.

Are you a detailed studier or a generalized studier? You may have to adjust your study habits for each class.

Good luck to you!

GingerSue · Apr 6, 2007

these are good ideas for studying

I do wish you every success

JessiekRN · Apr 6, 2007

Thank you all so much for your replies. I have to wait until after the weekend to see where I went wrong, right now I just keep telling myself that my average is still passing and I have two exams to bring it even further up before the final. I'm trying to stay positive. I'm not used to getting 70's so it is a blow to my sense of self-esteem.. but I'm trying to keep it in perspective. I think my biggest problem, as nurse2be was saying, is getting caught up in details and reading way too much into the question. I know the information and always narrow the answers down, overthink it, and pick the answer that isn't right but that I've analyzed too far and given too much credit. I'm always doubting an answer that seems too simple or easy and then rationalize the wrong one, then I'm surprised when the simple easy answer was right. I guess I make it more difficult than it is and I need to be more confident that it's possible that I know the answer when I see it. Anyway thank you for listening to my rant.. I know every nursing student probably goes through this at some point.. so I'm going to turn it around before I get in too deep. As for going to speak to my professors.. well.. I don't give them a lot of credit for giving a cr*p one way or the other.. it's pretty much every man for himself in that place. :) But I do appreciate the advice.. anything else .. please let me know!!