HELP!

[thejosephZ]

I’m a student in a VN program and am in the second semester of the program. Well , nearing the end of the second semester and I must say,,,,,, I didn’t do so hot. Although I know, I could’ve put in a lot more effort to begin with , so I’m not blaming anyone. But I did want some advice on just basically how to study in general. This is what I did for the semesters. Pretty much just read and answer a the NCLEX style questions at the end of the chapter. Which for the most part ended up being rough but around 10-15 questions. However, our instructor this semester for medsurg 2 used to be an RN instructor, and she is basically asking us RN level questions. So I haven’t done so hot on them, yet my classmates have. So I’m wondering am I doing something wrong? I mean I remember everything I read the next day and be pretty good with it but then come a couple of days later, it just slips my mind. I mean if I see a certain disease process I’ll recognize it. But won’t be able to snap off patho, signs and symptoms, or interventions just from memory. And like I’ve mentioned before I do read the chapters, probably at least 2-3 times. And I’ll be honest don’t really take notes much during lecture because ,,, I’ll be honest again I’m not too fond of writing. And if I write,, I feel I just lose what the instructor lectures about. So I could really use some since I may be knocking on the door very soon of having to take this semester over again and I know it doesn’t matter how long it takes,, as long as you make it through. But I just don’t want to be struggling as much as I am now with studying ? so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[rnhopeful82, ASN, RN]

If reading isn't your studying style (reading chapters 2-3 times and not being able to link ideas seems like you might learn differently), why don't you try recording the lectures to re-listen? I can't learn by reading textbooks, my brain shuts off. I go to class, listen and take notes then re-read my notes and (depending on the instructor) will re-listen to the lectures. Try to find which studying technique works best for you. Possibly reach out to friends you have in the class that can explain how they study or meet with the instructor and see if you are missing concepts that she can help break down in a different manner. Also, you said you didn't put much effort in...maybe start there. Good luck!