I just had to ask this question as a first year nursing student. I feel like i am living in hiding because I am a student who gets 90+ on my tests. Yes I have gotten the occasional 80 but the majority of my grades are good. No i am not a "genius" or just a " good test taker" but I work my ass off and take pride in it.
And now that I am going into med surg people are saying "well people who are good at nursing 1 usually fail med surg". I am just wondering when I can stop fearing that my good grades are a curse and I can actually be proud of my grades without someone casting stones my way.
Some of the classmates are just being mean because they're jealous. Other classmates may actually mean well although they aren't wording their message well. Some folks perform well on tests because it's written in front of them. They read the question a few times, digest it, and think about their answer. Others do horribly on tests, yet perform well on their feet because they think quickly. There is no "wait, let me grab my textbook" when you're at the patient's side. You have to think on your feet and hope you recall what you've studied. So it could be that the comment is meant to reflect that good test takers may not possess the quick response times that are expected at bedside.
Most people are stronger in one area than in another (strong test taker = not as strong on the floor or vice-versa). But the trick is to find out where your weaknesses are and improve on them - regardless of where that is. And if you don't study the material, you'll fall on your face regardless of whether it's a test or bedside. Some perform poorly on assignments and tests simply because they don't study.
I'm a decent student. I strive for those A's and usually achieve them but I'm always aiming for 100% so anything less than that and I can use the "I didn't get as high as I had hoped". I am choosy with my study partners and usually align myself with other high achievers. Then we (subconsciously) have little competitions to better one another. Since we're closely matched, the competition is fun. If you align yourself with a C student and you're an A student, feelings can get hurt over grades. Align yourself with other A students.
Like another poster, I use quizlet and share so others are free to study my materials right along with me ----- but I refuse to carry anyone but myself. If we study together and I'm getting nothing out of it, I will be "busy" when you propose new study sessions because let's face it, we all are limited on time and resources and I gotta study, too. That may sound selfish, but it's honest and no one else is watching out for my degree.
Now, if the study partner is really trying and having issues, that's different because when you teach someone a concept, you are forced to re-word that concept and look at it from multiple angles in order to explain it. By doing so, you reinforce your own knowledge as well and often pick up little things you missed. I "drop" the study partners who come to the session completely unprepared and expecting to be spoon-fed....that, I don't have time for.
I just had to ask this question as a first year nursing student. I feel like i am living in hiding because I am a student who gets 90+ on my tests. Yes I have gotten the occasional 80 but the majority of my grades are good. No i am not a "genius" or just a " good test taker" but I work my ass off and take pride in it.
And now that I am going into med surg people are saying "well people who are good at nursing 1 usually fail med surg". I am just wondering when I can stop fearing that my good grades are a curse and I can actually be proud of my grades without someone casting stones my way.
I was told that every semester during nursing school, now I'm going into my last week of school and I still have all A's. Don't let anyone put you down, it's hard work to maintain good grades!
Career2_BSN, BSN
166 Posts
Some of the classmates are just being mean because they're jealous. Other classmates may actually mean well although they aren't wording their message well. Some folks perform well on tests because it's written in front of them. They read the question a few times, digest it, and think about their answer. Others do horribly on tests, yet perform well on their feet because they think quickly. There is no "wait, let me grab my textbook" when you're at the patient's side. You have to think on your feet and hope you recall what you've studied. So it could be that the comment is meant to reflect that good test takers may not possess the quick response times that are expected at bedside.
Most people are stronger in one area than in another (strong test taker = not as strong on the floor or vice-versa). But the trick is to find out where your weaknesses are and improve on them - regardless of where that is. And if you don't study the material, you'll fall on your face regardless of whether it's a test or bedside. Some perform poorly on assignments and tests simply because they don't study.
I'm a decent student. I strive for those A's and usually achieve them but I'm always aiming for 100% so anything less than that and I can use the "I didn't get as high as I had hoped". I am choosy with my study partners and usually align myself with other high achievers. Then we (subconsciously) have little competitions to better one another. Since we're closely matched, the competition is fun. If you align yourself with a C student and you're an A student, feelings can get hurt over grades. Align yourself with other A students.
Like another poster, I use quizlet and share so others are free to study my materials right along with me ----- but I refuse to carry anyone but myself. If we study together and I'm getting nothing out of it, I will be "busy" when you propose new study sessions because let's face it, we all are limited on time and resources and I gotta study, too. That may sound selfish, but it's honest and no one else is watching out for my degree.
Now, if the study partner is really trying and having issues, that's different because when you teach someone a concept, you are forced to re-word that concept and look at it from multiple angles in order to explain it. By doing so, you reinforce your own knowledge as well and often pick up little things you missed. I "drop" the study partners who come to the session completely unprepared and expecting to be spoon-fed....that, I don't have time for.