How should I study during nursing school??

[STU4ADN]

Hello Everyone, I was wondering if someone could help me out. I have begun the first semester of my nursing program and so far I'm doing what I consider...good... with a B average. However I find that it takes me 4-5 hours reading a chapter because I take notes on every single paragraph:uhoh3:. It just seems like every single thing is important and I have to write it down. My instructor provides us with power points which is great but I sometimes don't know if to focus only on what she's teaching. Of course I try to do both but it feels like reading and taking notes takes too long. Does anyone have any advice on how to "fix" this problem? Also, on tests, I've noticed that there is always 2 answers that are the best. what has helped you in picking out answers? What methods of studying have worked best for you? Any suggestions would be great. Thank you for your time!

[ccshops]

Try to read through the weekly objectives on the syllabus and text first. Skim through the headlines and of each sections from your textbook. Try to answer the objectives. If you can't answer the objectives, you will have to go back and read the section. It is nearly impossible for any nursing students to read 4-5 chapters for each class. Wish you the best of luck! =)

[911brat]

Awsome info! Thanks! I have read almost all the posts throughout this whole site, and it seems all the experienced students say it's almost impossible to read all the chapters for each class! When I start I'm sure I'll say the same lol! I wonder why the instructors would assign so many knowing that Reading all of them is unlikely going to happen? I'm hoping to have a study system and routine in place, if not I no I'll feel dissorganized, caotic and learning will be stressful for me! And I'll waste time trying to reorganized my material and thoughts! Like now, I've started notes and flash cards for a&p, and wonder if I need both or wasting time doing both( repetitive writing does help tho) but I don't want to loose to much

time on each chapter! Trial n error for the first few weeks I guess until I find my groove

haha =}. Writing a schedule, plan and calendar would deem helpful I suppose. Any thoughts ?

[Stephanita]

They want you reviewing each chapter, most likely. You of course have to stay up on your readings (we had to) But we also paid most attention to the key terms, learning objectives, chapter overview/summaries.

[burnnursewannabe]

I'm just finishing up my second quarter of nursing school and have a 4.0. I find that reading the chapter does help, but taking notes on everything can be too time consuming and waste time that you could have used studying for something else. I go through the chapter and write the bold stuff first and then either put a definition with it or the thing I found most important from that section. Then, when my teacher goes over that chapter in class, I can add to it if need be or they add detail that gives me a better understanding.

Also, a group of students in my class meet every day before class begins and we quiz one another on things that were discussed in class the night before. That really helps us to cement our knowledge. One of my classmates makes what she calls a study map and is basically an excel spreadsheet containing all the most pertinent information our teacher covered. We all use that to study and make quizes and sample tests for one another. So far, no one has failed this semester from our group. I find that trying to make quizes for my classmates really means that I have to know the material backwards and forwards to make good questions.

I find, generally, with the questions where two answers could be correct, our teachers want what the nurse should do first and foremost. Like if a patient comes in and has difficulty breathing and a swollen foot and you had to treat both things, which would be the priority? Obviously, this is an easy example, but that's how they want us to think about it.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[Sand_Dollar, BSN]

Before NS I used to read EVERYTHING in the text, but I haven't done any of the textbook reading so far in NS and am about 1/3 of the way through Med-Surg. I mostly study the lecture power points along with my notes, organizing them into my own study sheets. If there is a concept I have a difficult time understanding I research it on the web further.

I spend most of my time on the textbook chapter exams, the ATI text and online exams, as well as Saunders NCLEX review CD. Yes, I'm already prepping for the NCLEX.

I got a 90 on our Acid/base, fluid, electrolyte and immune test and a 97 on oncology and respiratory. I'm not trying to brag, just sharing that sometimes the book isn't the best option and my technique seems to work for me.

And about the test Q's, I bought the book 'Test Success' by Nugent and it helped. As well, all the NCLEX prep Q's I'm doing has made me pretty comfortable with the tests and how to work through them.

Good luck!!! Don't be afraid to try out a new way to study, you might find your perfect fit that way.

~SD

[Thujone]

I have a 4 step process for studying, and it has never failed me in any class.

1. Read the material

2. Highlight the most important part of each subheading/paragraph

3. Create questions for the highlighted material in word and type an appropriate sized fill in the blank line.

4. Fill in the blanks. The first couple of days that I do this I have to consult with the book because I can't remember everything right off the bat. However, about a 4-5 days into study like this, I start to know all of my answers by heart. I only answer my questions once a day in order to prevent a burnout. I have been on my school's presidential and dean's list several times (4.0 GPA in at least 12 credit hours of more.) On another note, this is the method that works best for me. It took me several years to develop this step-by-step plan. It may not work that well for you, and it is time consuming, but it really helps the material sink into my head.