How can I change my study habits?

BrittanyLeigh · Aug 24, 2009

Good to know people are only looking out for themselves.

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2009

I can tell you what not to do. I left home at 17 to go to college 800 miles away. I was very naive, shy and being away from home for the first time, I completely lost self-control. I attended parties, slept all day, and quit going to class. After a year-and-a-half, I had a 1.32 GPA.

Of course, back then, I didn't know that at 32 I would go back to school, and a year later would change my major to nursing thanks to the wonderful care my grandmother received while she was in her last days. I had to bust my butt to get good grades so that I would even be considered by a nursing program. Every chance I get, when I hear a young student talking about getting ready to go to college, I will tell them my story so they don't make the same mistakes I did.

I have had to learn how to study, because it's up to me now. I will give you some hints based on what I do. :wink2:

* Set aside time each day for studying. If you know you're going to be busy doing something else one day, then add that time onto one of your other days.

* Be comfortable when you study. If you study better at home, great. If you find yourself being distracted by TV and Xbox, take yourself out of the house to somewhere you find relaxing yet not distracting. I, personally, can't study at the library because I get distracted by loud whispering. I can tune out the TV but can't stand whispering.

* Every night before class, make sure you have your bag packed and the paperwork needed. I can't tell you how many times I had to dash out of the house during my first semester and would forget a paper that was sitting on my desk.

* Sleep. Figure out how much sleep you need and do everything you can to get that amount.

* Get out of the house and take a walk every once in awhile. Words tend to blend together, and a walk will help clear your head.

* Have confidence in yourself!

There are probably a zillion other things that I could come up with but don't want to overwhelm you.

It's going to be very different for you if you were home-schooled. I have had classes with students that were home-schooled and it was easy for them to feel either overwhelmed or wanting to shut down. If you attend a large university with classes of 500 students, try not to get caught up in class drama and do your best.

One more hint... stay in contact with your professors. They can be extremely helpful.

All the best!

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Aug 24, 2009

First off let me say you won't get many responses on any board with catty remarks like that. You need to remember that you posted this in the middle of a weekday and barely gave an hour for responses, people are working and in school. I understand you are anxious for advice but that remark of yours was uncalled for and if you expect to be treated as an adult, then you need to act like one.

For some background, my daughter is in HS and home schooled as well and I am a FT student taking my BSN pre-reqs. It sounds like you need to work on self-discipline, which can be learned. I purchased a book for my daughter and ended up using it myself called 'Effective Study Skills' by James Semones. It talks about how to manage your time successfully, how to take useful notes, textbook skills and even working on memory. It's a great book and has help for every point you mentioned.

Until then, here is what I do. I have ADD and get very distracted. I know with home school the time is yours and I would suggest planning it out. Write out in a day timer what needs to be done ahead of time and stick to it like a job. If you are staring at the computer, then shut it off or move so you can't see it. I reward myself for time spent on schoolwork. An hour of work, or getting a specific project done is rewarded with a half hour of free time. I even set my alarm to go off when I'm done and when its time to get back to work. You just have to have the discipline to stick to your plan...but as I mentioned before, self-discipline can be learned, but just like everything else it requires practice.

Good Luck!

BrittanyLeigh · Aug 24, 2009

I know it was a 'catty' remark. Uncalled for, yes that too. But when you're desperate for advice you want it fast. Sorry, i'm human.

Anyway, thanks both of you for the responses. I'm going to a book store today to look for that book you mentioned, if not then a different book.

BrittanyLeigh · Aug 24, 2009

Forgot to mention, i'm going to a CC then transfering my third year.

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2009

I also finished my pre-reqs at a community college (and two Associate's in the process). After being out of school for so long, the smaller class size helped tremendously.

SaraFL · Aug 25, 2009

I struggle with study habits too. I tend to coast through my classes, luckily have gotten A's without too much effort, but I know that's not going to cut it in nursing school. I'll check out that book recommendation above, thanks.