Help!! I need advise on study skills, im drowning!

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Sep 13, 2013

Personally, I always went with my 1st response on tests. I found that if I 2nd guessed myself and changed answers, I was right the 1st time. I am in no way insinuating that I'm that smart. Through trial and error, I found that my 1st response was usually correct because I had read it at some point and my 1st response was the one that "seemed" right. NCLEX was the same way. I was not sure about a single response on that test, but miraculously passed after it shut down at 85 questions. For study, I read through hand-outs and read the chapters. Don't know if that helps, but I hope it does. :unsure:

eelise11 · Sep 13, 2013

I just recently graduated and passed NCLEX in 85 questions. For almost half of my LPN schooling, I had this same problem. First of all, you have to learn how to distinguish what is important and what's not as important. Our instructor made us hand write all of our notes or type them... The books were of little use because everything came directly from our notes. The problem I had, and it seems to me the problem you are also having is the critical thinking aspect. You understand the material in the book but on the test your instructor says "patient A enters the emergency room c/o shortness of breath, pink frothy sputum, and chest pain. What disease does this coincide with? Or, what would you do first, with a list of options... Etc. that's how ours were. I always felt like it never made sense. But it does. You read it, you studied it, now you have to apply it in the nursing sense. It's hard to learn but you can do it. Also, as the previous poster said, always go with your first answer. Usually when you change it, you ended up changing from the right answer to the wrong answer

Good luck! You can do this. :)

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 13, 2013

Read the chapter by looking at the objectives, highlight vocabulary words, highlight the "gist" of what the paragraph is attempting to tell you regarding the objectives. Answer the questions at the end. If you don't know them, look again at your highlighted text. Make index cards of key points, key vocabulary. Take notes during class.

NCLEX for me was a taking and retaking the practice tests--as many as I could. Correct them. See if there's an area that you are needing to review. Again with the index cards--color code them if that helps you to organize. Review them everywhere and anytime you can

IF the book has an answer key, look up answers to the questions in the chapter you are preparing for class. Sometimes the explanation of the rationale is helpful.

I was told that to read the chapter and highlight as you go is a good way to then go back and review. To take notes in class even more so. Then, after class look at your notes and make the cards. When you read it, visually highlight it, take notes on it, then write it once again for index cards, it tends to stick.

And LOTS of NCLEX review questions. I do not review at that point unless I am seeing that the answers to questions are incorrect.

Good luck and lots of organization, cards, notes and highlighters!

doreenstarr1 · Sep 13, 2013

Wow!! You guy are awesome..thank you all for your get advise. I will also pass it on to my fellow classmates I want us all to succeed this is a team effort.

Wish you guy great success in your careers! :)

ASPIRING2BGREAT · Sep 13, 2013

I just recently graduated and passed NCLEX in 85 questions. For almost half of my LPN schooling, I had this same problem. First of all, you have to learn how to distinguish what is important and what's not as important. Our instructor made us hand write all of our notes or type them... The books were of little use because everything came directly from our notes. The problem I had, and it seems to me the problem you are also having is the critical thinking aspect. You understand the material in the book but on the test your instructor says "patient A enters the emergency room c/o shortness of breath, pink frothy sputum, and chest pain. What disease does this coincide with? Or, what would you do first, with a list of options... Etc. that's how ours were. I always felt like it never made sense. But it does. You read it, you studied it, now you have to apply it in the nursing sense. It's hard to learn but you can do it. Also, as the previous poster said, always go with your first answer. Usually when you change it, you ended up changing from the right answer to the wrong answer
Good luck! You can do this. :)

Very well said.......I'm currently coming upon the same issue. They stress read the book, read the book, I read it, make note, memorize the concepts and terms.....then get the test and it's nothing I studied.

But you summed it up correctly I believe....it doesn't seem to be about memorizing and chosen the best fit term but applying that term to a scenario and the best fit one.

Glad I'm learning this early so I can adjust my thinking accordingly!

Thank everyone!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 13, 2013

I'm going to graduate nursing school in a few weeks. I noticed a few people said that they are looking at the concepts. To me, nursing school unlike my prereqs at the JC) has been more so about:

1. Memorizing random tidbits and 2. And learning to apply nursings version if critical thinking, i.e., learning what info the nclex question writers think is important.

Understanding the bigger concept is something I need to do to be able to store the random facts, but our exams don't test you on concepts, they are multiple choice related to the fine details.

The good thing is that after a several months/halfway through I began to feel like I knew what the important nursing info in the question and answer was, things got easier, not harder.

JmarLPN · Sep 13, 2013

What you need to take away from the chapters is ADPIE (assess, diagnose, plan, intervention, evaluation)..... whatever your covering, tackle it like this: As a nurse, what would I assess for with this disease? How is it diagnosed? What plan do I have or how am I going to intervene to make the pt comfortable. This helped me tons! Just get the points you need to care for your pt dealing with that certain ailment! Pay close attention to nursing interventions!!