Hours of study.....

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Aug 7, 2013

I easily study 30-40 hours a week. I am a type A personality who strives to maintain my 4.0.

There are those in my class who are content with B's

It is just going to depend on you, your study habits, your determination, ease of subject matter and how much time you can devote. One of the girls in my study group can read something a couple of times and she "gets it" - I am not that lucky.

barcode120x, RN, NP · Aug 8, 2013

I finished my first semester of my ADN program in Spring and I'd say my study hours varied each week. First three weeks we have 5 chapters each week, so I was definitely doing at least 20 hours of reading and reviewing outside class. Other weeks we would have 1-3 chapters that week so my study hours would cut down even less. Basically for me, it was roughly about 2-3 hours of reading and note taking per chapter on average. I read every single chapter and did notes on every chapter so I wouldn't have to read it twice. So, if you do the math of about 3 hours per chapter out of about 50 chapter to read/take notes for me, it comes out to 150 hours total for the whole semester divided by 16, makes it about 9.3 hours per week of just reading the chapter once and doing notes. That's an average. I remember one of my chapters was about 100 pages and it took me almost 6 hours (with short breaks) at Starbucks to finish that damn chapter (oh God, nutrition will forever be my enemy). That doesn't include reviewing the countless powerpoints and lecture notes we've had. IMO, I'd say it's safe to say you'll need at least 20 hours a week to read.

Of course, EVERYONE is different. I've had some friends that put in double that, I've had friends put in less. Again, for me, all I need to do is read the chapter once + type notes, review lecture notes/powerpoints and I'm good. This 2nd semester is gonna be hell though

rubato, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2013

I study and work on skills about 10 hours a week. It got me a B the first semester which blew my 4.0 and it earned me an A the second semester. Of course, some people in my class didn't study at all and some studied 20-30 hours a week.

adc85 · Aug 8, 2013

I start my ASN program in less than 2 weeks. I was planning on studying everyday for 2 hours. I figured that would be plenty! For my previous degree, I didnt have a study schedule, I would just start reviewing material a week or so before exams....but after reading the PP cooments above, Im thinking 2 hours might not be enough! Maybe I should plan on 2-4 hrs a day, in which case I will have to break it up throughout the day. I dont think I can sit still and study for more than 2 hours at a time! Haha....good luck in your program!

~passionateSN~ · Aug 8, 2013

Studying just for classes I usually take 14 hours a day. I get up and as soon as my daughter is off to school I study. I get up to go get her and come back home and get back to studying anywhere between 10pm-2am depending on if I have clinicals the next day or whatnot. Clinical paperwork takes forever for me because its a book! Plus I just take forever to do my care plans. Idk why I've always been that way during the whole program. I am a reader so I read every chapter several times and listen to lectures and read notes. I will be graduating this December so it has all worked out so far. But I know people that barely study and make it. It's just all about how you study and what kind of grades you strive for. You will get into a routine and get the hang of it :-)

THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2013

Y'all make me feel like a slacker! Lol I study sporadically outside of the readings. Sometimes not at all and other times 6 hrs per day, but it depends on workload, subject, and how much time til next exam

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Aug 8, 2013

Everybody is different. In ns, i studied maybe 2 hours a day non-class days. After class i just did a quick re-read of my notes. Doing this i was a B student with an avg grade of 93. An a was 94+. I was fine with that. And when it comes to getting a job, nobody will ask or care what your grades were.

LoveNeverDies · Aug 8, 2013

I can not stress enough that school is different for everyone. If you are struggling with the information, dedicate more time. Practice NCLEX style questions, that is what a lot of people have issues with. I do not study every day, I am very lucky that I do not have too. I read, take notes, review my notes a few times before the test and that is it. However, I have always been very good at test taking. Nclex style tests actually are my favorite kind. Just remember to do whatever it takes to get yourself through it. Also consider what your dedications are, I work part-time and family time, and time with my boyfriend are important to me or I would study more. I do not strive to be a 4.0, only strive that my grades are competitive enough to further my schooling.