What is your study tips?

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 3, 2005

I think the best thing to do is figure out what your personal 'study style' is. Do you learn best from hearing it? From writing it down? From doing some other hands-on type activity? From reading?

I learn best from hearing it and the biggest thing for me is to not miss lecture ever. No matter if I read it, if I don't hear it, it doesn't stick as well.

The other thing I picked up from my mom actually was, when you get home from school, teach your husband, roommate, child etc about what you learned in class that day. That gives you another opportunity to go over it. They might not get it all, but it will help make sure you do :)

Also, try not to get behind. It's so easy to do, but it's harder to learn those huge chunks of info, much easier to learn it on a day by day basis.

Good luck!

manna, BSN, RN · Jan 3, 2005

Does your school have a counseling center where you can go learn about different study styles, test taking techniques, etc?

At one of our SNA meetings, we had a speaker from their office on those topics, and I think more than a few of us found it helpful! :)

littlerose · Jan 3, 2005

Not at our school . We are left on our own for studying.

Tammy

Jen2 · Jan 3, 2005

This is what I tried this past semester and it has worked the best for me.

There is about 10 people in my class that will each take one to two chapters at the beginning of each new lecture material and read and type up an in depth outline on that chapter and pass it out to everyone else in our group. We set a deadline for 1 week to have the chapter turned in by. After I have all of the outlines I read the required readings in my book and add things in writing from the text that may have been left out. I also compare my class notes to the outline and fill in anything that the instructor may have said during class on that outline. It usually takes me about a week to do this and our tests our usually three weeks apart. Doing this gives me everything in the book and everything that was said in class on one outline. The beginning of the third week, I read my notes over and over again and think of mneumonics for the difficult material. When the weekend comes everyone that typed up a chapter meets together for a large study group. The person that did the in depth outline for their chapter stands in front and teaches it with a dry erase board and does not move on until everyone understands. There have been many 12 hour Saturday's and Sunday's (tests were on the following Tuesday). On Monday we would once again study and review by ourselves using NCLEX books, then on Tuesday we were very prepared for the exam. The lowest grade in my study group this semester using this method was a B-. If you are leary about studying with a group, try doing this, because in reality you are only having two days with the group, but it helps so much. I have tried tons of ways of studying and this is by far what has worked the best for me. Good luck.

mavnurse · Jan 3, 2005

I'm going to get fussed at for this, but don't over study - just go with the flow. If you don't feel like studying, don't. Go to bed early the night before tests and just skim over the notes the next morning. It keeps the stress low, and you find you're more prepared than you thought. It took me forever to figure this out, or to get the guts to try it, but it works! 9 times out of 10, the people who study for hours and hours and start prepping for tests from day 1 are the ones who seem to do the worst, at least in my classes.

However, this will NOT work in clinicals.:imbar I hate the hands-on stuff.

shyne · Jan 3, 2005

This may not be a good method, but for the last two semesters I learned that procrastinating has worked well for me. For some odd reason my grades are good when I cram the info in at the last minute.

However, all of the advice above are good!

cingulargirl21 · Jan 3, 2005

well, my tips are to read the material at least once(twice is good but you have so much to read in NSG school!), get a workbook that goes with the textbook and use it, write out important concepts........just study the material in different ways and make sure you take short breaks when studying....I have nevet gotten less than 86% on an exam with this. Read, work practice questions and write out your notes! You cant go wrong. It takes time and stuff but you will learn it better!

LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 4, 2005

I'd just re-emphasize that you need to find what works best for you, because my method of studying may mean you don't learn all the material, while another method of study may leave you burned out and unable to remember anything. The hardest part is learning which approach works best with you personally. Once you figure that out, the rest is easy.

blue chips · Jan 4, 2005

good tips

UTRN2005 · Jan 4, 2005

1- Always go to class

2-Always do the reading

3- Ask quesitons if you're confused on anything

4-Don't be afraid to talk to the instructor/go to office hours

Other than that I review my lecture notes and do applicable sections of questions out of an NCLEX review book. A big part is to just figure out what works for you, but the 1-4 are good ideas for anybody. I'm currently tutoring for my school and have a 4.0, so these definitely have worked for me.

NotSoNaughty Nurse · Jan 4, 2005

I cannot over-emphasize the power of group study... I used to be completely opposed to studying in groups. I now, however, think there is no better way to review information. The key to success is that everyone has to be on the same page. Make sure you are in a group with only a couple of people---people who share your same academic goals... After several terms of sifting through my peers I have finally found myself a part of a fantastic study group... we are really compatable...everyone is responsible for having a basic understanding of the material before we meet and we never move-on with our review until each member is comfortable with the content we've covered.

Cheers and all the best in your studies :nurse: ...