6 Hour Lecture?!

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Hello,

I start my nursing program in exactly a month and I received my schedule today.

Every Thursday I have Comprehensive Pharmacology from 9-3.

I've never sat in ONE class for such a long period of time, it's almost kind of daunting to think about.

I was wondering if there were any tips for staying engaged in class and being as successful as possible. How were you an active learner in your class?

I'm sorry if this has been asked before I tried looking through old threads but most of them were about studying outside of school not necessarily about when you're in class. :nailbiting:

Thank you in advance, and any other tips are welcomed. :yes:

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I have had a 6 hour lecture before. I am not going to lie, it is awful, or at least to me it was. But, this is what I did to help keep myself sane and awake!

1) Keep snacks with you. Sometimes when you start to feel your eyes glazing over all you need is something crunchy to keep you alert! Plus, with 6 hours of class you will probably get hungry.

2) Write out your notes. Even if they give you a powerpoint or you print one to follow along...WRITE! It will help to keep you awake and will help you follow along.

3) Give yourself breaks as needed. When I started to feel myself getting sleepy or antsy, I got up and walked around a bit. I went outside the classroom and took a little walk or sometimes I would even take a quick walk outside to get some air. Just for 1 minute or two. Try to keep it quick as you don't want to miss anything important. My rationale was that it was better for me to quick get up and take a break so that I could come back in and re-focus, rather than sit there and space.

Granted, our instructor gave us a pretty fair amount of breaks, but, I am not one that can sit still for very long which is why I created my own if needed. (If you choose to do this, pick an end seat.) Just make sure you take the breaks provided by your instructor as they will help you come back into class ready and focused.

4) Along with snacks, you might want to keep gum or mints with you. Just something else that you can chew on to help keep you alert. Plus, that minty taste is always refreshing to me! Helped to keep me alert.

5) Bring a jacket, too, it's hard to focus during a 6 hour lecture if you are shaking from being cold. You can always take it off.

Other than those few things I am not sure what else you could do to stay alert and awake. I guess, just try to get a good night's sleep and bring whatever you think you'll need for this period of time.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

Oh yes everything RN403 said. Also I'm a doodler so I always kept an extra sheet of paper around to doodle on. Sometimes just a quick doodle could let me pay attention for another section.

Also if a voice recorder is allowed it might be a good investment. Several hours of lecture can be BRUTAL but you still want to catch everything. You may not need it but it's at least something to keep in mind (I eventually stopped recording lectures).

Lastly it won't be for SIX. STRAIGHT. HOURS. We usually break for 5-10 minutes every hour. Not that that makes it much more bearable but something to plan for (do a lap around the building, some jumping jacks, etc.) to get the blood going.

Good luck!

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Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I appreciate your responses SO MUCH.

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

Snack, snacks, snacks.... I hated these days. If you are offered a break, take it. Just stand, walk outside for some fresh air, or do jumping jacks.

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Snacks, a big water bottle, and definitely get up and move around on any breaks you have.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Remember to hit the restroom BEFORE you ABSOLUTELY have to. You don't want to be squirming around with that awful 'have to go, have to go' feeling because you won't be able to focus on anything else!!!

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Specializes in None yet..

I have never, ever had a six hour lecture and this seems like the worst possible planning ever, the anti-learner way to do something if ever there was one.

My longest lecture class so far was (only) three hours. I would get up, go to the back of the room and do some yoga stretches. Warrior pose, forward bends. I told the instructor beforehand that I needed to do that and he was okay with it.

Are you able to record this lecture because truly, I can't see how you could NOT lose your attention at some point. Or points.

People run marathons so you can sit one, I guess. Wishing you the best!

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Be thankful you have that face time with your professor... We have very limited face time with our advanced pharmacology professor. Can I sit in with you

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Avoid sugary drinks. When you crash and begin a hypnic jerk, you will look bad to instructor or end up on youtube.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

My school provided a 10 min break every hour. I hope yours does, too.

Take notes and selectively highlight or write in different colors in order to keep your mind engaged.

Sit in the front so you won't be distracted.

Record lecture!

Eat healthy snacks just to keep your hands, mouth busy like raw veggies, raw nuts, dry cereal, prunes.

Drink water. I love 5 hr energy, also!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Many continuing education programs for nurses are eight hours of lecture- so I suggest getting used to it. My suggestion is to approach the lecturer before class, express your concerns about maintaining focus for such a long period of time, and ask permission to stand up in the back if you feel drowsy. Have a clipboard so you can still take notes while standing. Works for me.

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