Studying

Nursing Students General Students

Published

I am having my first fundamentals exam on Friday. How does everyone study? I have the study guide so I thought that I would just do the questions in there. I really have to get started.

Thanks

0 Votes
I am having my first fundamentals exam on Friday. How does everyone study? I have the study guide so I thought that I would just do the questions in there. I really have to get started.

Thanks

Depends on the teacher really. Ask the senior nursing class how to best study.

Definitely do the study guide! If it is in the guide, expect it to be on the test. After the test, make mental note of the questions and see how helpful the study guide was to see if you want to make it a priority next time (you probably will).

Study any powerpoints they gave you. Reading the book is important too, but we're humans, not robots like my pediatrics teacher apparently thinks... She assigns 100 pages a week, so what happens? Rather than reading a small, reasonable assignment, we just never ready any of it and read our ATI book instead.

Most important? Do your best and don't beat yourself up too hard if you bomb your first one. I'm not saying you will, but not everyone adjusts well. I sure as heck didn't. I got THE lowest grade on my first test. I studied, and I am NOT an idiot. I've hung in there and have never gotten a C, but danged if I didn't come close! haha.

I hope that rambling mess helped somehow.

0 Votes
Specializes in acute care.

Aren't you at BISON? How do you like it so far? I want my sister to try applying there....Anyway, GOOD LUCK on your exam!!!!

I am having my first fundamentals exam on Friday. How does everyone study? I have the study guide so I thought that I would just do the questions in there. I really have to get started.

Thanks

0 Votes
Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

tracy. . .read the information and check out the weblinks on this thread. there is a lot of helpful study and test taking information there:

0 Votes
Aren't you at BISON? How do you like it so far? I want my sister to try applying there....Anyway, GOOD LUCK on your exam!!!!

Hi!

Yes, I am at BISON. I really like it. Everyone is so nice and they really seem to want you to succeed to becoming a great nurse.

0 Votes
I am having my first fundamentals exam on Friday. How does everyone study? I have the study guide so I thought that I would just do the questions in there. I really have to get started.

Thanks

I have my first fundamentals exam in 3 weeks and study guide became my new best friend, and when I get my loans I will try to get some supplemental books like the Incredible Easy series and for sure the Saunders book.

Also to be honest with you I dont wait anymore until the couple days before the exam date and try to cram it, I try to read at least some parts of the material before the lecture to develop some general idea about the presented topic.

I know you must be nervous out of your guts about your first upcoming exam and I dont blame you because I'm nervous as well. Not to say you will fail your first one but when it does happen, dont absolutely feel down because the reality is you probably not used to this kind of questions, it will get better on the second exam but I know you will do good on your first one Also maybe recording the lecture should be helpful and just studing a little every day.

Good luck, and dont stress out!

0 Votes

My theory on studying (and it does work for me, I do well on tests) is (well, besides study a LOT) to study in different ways, not just ONE way. I do all of the following: Make flash cards out of the book and the lecture notes, particularly things that the instructor emphasizes. If they say something more than once, pay attention to that. I carry my flash cards everywhere and study in waiting rooms, between classes, any time there's down time. I also write - I go through the book and write down things that stick out as important. I do online activities, almost every textbook has a CD or website. And I tape the lecture, and play it every time I'm in the car. Oh, and with the flash cards also, when I do them at home I read them out loud. So that way I involve all the different senses - writing, speaking, listening.

Good luck!

Kelly

0 Votes

I try to do all the reading before lecture. It doesn't always happen, but trying keeps me from falling behind. We get assigned a couple hundred pages a week, so it's a lot, but I have no kids and I just quit my job - I have no excuse. I highlight anything that seems important and I don't already know as I read. I then tape the lectures and take handwritten notes, on the powerpoints if they were posted, otherwise in my notebook. A day or two after each lecture (again, I try, sometimes a couple stack up) I sit at the computer with the recorded lecture, my notes, and my book. I type up my notes while I listen to them again, and consult the book for additional info to add if I'm confused about something. If we are given any type of study guide or topical outline for an exam - depends on the class and the teacher - I use my previously typed notes, and retype everything that could go with each topic on the outline. That becomes my study guide. Otherwise I just go back and highlight my typed class notes. Then I start working on questions, from any of my NCLEX books and/or the book's study guide. If I have time, I might also answer questions from the CD that came with the book if there are any or if they've proved useful in that class. I've been getting As so far, but it's a lot of work. It's somewhat trial and error though, you need to figure out what works for YOU. Good luck!

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment