HELP!!!!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2013

Good day:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/study-skills-returning-885305.html#post7587957 and https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/can-you-answer-886861.html#post7601937 might be helpful.

The first one contains links to short videos on how to better take tests, study, etc.

Anytime one does poorly (whether poorly just means getting a lower grade or poorly means a failed test), one should see the professor for help. If your school has any tutoring or learning resources, check them out as well.

Personally, I tend to get anxious at almost every test. Two techniques I found that work for me (they may or may not work for anyone else) is to do the following... as close to "just before the test" as possible I find the sink that has the coldest water and wash my hands, wrists, and sometimes up to my elbows in cold water. I read an article that is supposed to give you a boost of energy for a short period of time. Next, during the test I literally tell myself to breathe on a regular basis.

Other: When taking the test... if you have an "all of the above" selection AND at you recognize at least two fit.. even if there are other choices you are not sure about, it is "all of the above." When you have two very close answers, work your way through picking which is the absolute best.

For example, if you had a question about which is the most important when it comes for cells receiving nutrients and removing wastes: circulation (that brings it) or respiration (the source of o2 and release of co2)... well if you aren't breathing, your circulation doesn't matter as much.

Thank you.

PNW0212 · Nov 7, 2013

Don't give up! My first year of taking prerequisites I did terrible because of my bad habbit of not going to class. I thought I could skip the class, skim the chapters that the test was on, and get by. Nope! Did not work. I found that my grades GREATLY increased to A's when I attended the class after a good night's rest and a cup of coffee :) I would force myself to stay in the building to look over notes and do a little studying everyday. Things stick better in your brain that way. You have to make time for your class and also take care of yourself. Go to your professor and ask if there is any extra credit you can do and BUCKLE DOWN! You can do it! Professors are very helpful and even if you have failed two tests already, you can still get by in the class with a B with some extra credit!

gamerchick209 · Nov 7, 2013

Never skip class and always stay on task. Do the chapter reading before hand, print out the teacher's lectures (if he/she uses slides) and take notes on those for any added points from the lecture. Plus this helps you focus as the class is moving on. Its easier to tell if they are rambling off topic if what they are saying doesnt pertain to the slide. Then go home and within a day or 2, go through your book and the lectures at the same time. Re-read only the sections of the book that go with the given lecture slides, and highlight in your lectures slides of the things that the book matches topic with. AND always look up what you dont know, or may not remember. Even if it is something simple. Actually knowing a concept and thinking you might have an idea of a concept is key. It never hurts to back read a little for a minute of two. I always used wiki to supplement as I was reading.

SummerWertz · Nov 8, 2013

I'm a junior doing pre-reqs still, and I can safely say that I have finally learned how to study just this semester. In HS, I never really had to study and I made good grades, so I came to college with those habits. Needless to say, it didn't work. I got lazy, didn't go to class, goofed off. This semester, I finally decided to really study. And I can definitely say that my grades are improving (except in Anatomy ::shudder::) But I joined a sorority this semester, and that definitely helped to motivate me and opened up study opportunities. Not that you have to do that. Studying *with* people helps tons. Make friends in class, and study together. Make flashcards (this helped a lot for me since writing things down helps you remember it). Go to the professor if you have questions or need help. I seriously live in my chem professor's office getting help, maybe he hates me, maybe he loves me. I don't really care. I need a good grade and I'm going to get it. I've always been decent at chem. But I slacked off at the start of the semester. Pulled a 55 on my first exam. That's when I realized enough was enough. I pulled myself up by the boot straps and did better. made a 92 on the second test and an 84 on the third. And the lowest test is dropped so that 55 will go away. It's definitely doable. And if you try really hard and still can't get it, don't sweat it. Not everyone gets it the first time around (probably me with anatomy) the fact that you did your best is what matters.