where to go from here?

[freckles23]

Hey everyone,

I am in my 2nd semester of an ADN program and failed my first exam. I got a 62 and passing is a 70. The rotation this semester is maternity & peds. I'm at a loss on what to do with myself. We have 3 more exams and a final left for the semester. I study my butt off but for some reason I always get bad anxiety on test day and always end up picking the wrong answer once I narrow it down to 2 answers. I'm trying to get advice and see if I should maybe do more practice questions or should I focus more on the lecture recordings, notes and textbook readings. I usually go home, listen to the lectures and type my notes up and study from my notes but idk how well that's working out for me and I sometimes do index cards. My next exam is this Monday and is on diabetes, postpartum high risks and newborn assessments. I'm really discouraged and feel like its too late to redeem myself. Help me! Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated especially from those struggling like myself!

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

Have you set up an appointment with your instructor? If not, do so. Talk to them and see what advice they can offer. Buy a good NCLEX review book. The new Saunders book just came out. It is a great book. I also used the Peasron Review and Rationale books. They are great. Don't give up yet. You've only failed one test. I know it stinks but there is still time. There was a girl in my class last year who had to make a 93 on the final to pass and she made a 94. You can do it.

One more piece of advice: find a study group!! I have learned that my study group is invaluable. It is helpful to be able to talk through things with other people. You may think you know an answer and why it is right, but talking it out with others will let you hear a different rationale that may be more correct. And you know nursing test are always looking for the "more correct" answer. Good luck!!