How many hours should I study?

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2011

I tend to study 2 hours for every 1 hour of lecture. Sometimes more.

senior_studentnurse · Jul 21, 2011

It honestly depends on you. Some students study for the first exam in the first week of class for about one or two hours a day. Others study on the weekend before a Monday exam and still make an A. If you're used to studying 1.5 hours for every 1 hour of lecture and it worked, I think you should just start there. If your exam grade is less than what you like, then add more hours accordingly. In my opinion, one of the worst things to do in nursing school is to burn yourself out.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Jul 21, 2011

It honestly depends on you. Some students study for the first exam in the first week of class for about one or two hours a day. Others study on the weekend before a Monday exam and still make an A. If you're used to studying 1.5 hours for every 1 hour of lecture and it worked, I think you should just start there. If your exam grade is less than what you like, then add more hours accordingly. In my opinion, one of the worst things to do in nursing school is to burn yourself out.

Hence, "until you know the material". There's no minimum that anyone can set for you, you have to figure that out for yourself.

lillymom · Jul 21, 2011

My school recommends 3 hours for every hour in class! I will have no time at all. :hdvwl:

shortnorthstudent · Jul 22, 2011

I find that it takes me about an hour to read 15 pages in my nursing books for comprehension. More like 10 pages per hour if I am trying to make notecards with information to take to clinicals (lab values, skills procedures, etc.) I also like to relisten to lectures a couple of extra times to study as well as reviewing powerpoints and seminar/lab material as appropriate. I also find myself doing more and more NCLEX questions each term that are focused on the subjects I am studying.

Beyond that, it depends on the class. Pharm 2 - I spent well over 3 hours per lecture hour preparing. This term, Med-Surg, I didn't spend much time at all beyond what I listed above. It really all depends on the content. Also, the act of reading the questions gets easier as you go along. For my first med-surg test, I did about 350 NCLEX questions and made sure to read the rationales and go back and review things I didn't understand.

But, I really all depends on you and your study habits.

anonymousstudent · Jul 22, 2011

1.5:1 is a pretty low ratio IMO. Here they use the 3:1 ratio.

It's very fluid though, and there are a lot of factors. One subject you might pick up easily while another may take you 3 times as long. Schedule more time than you need and if you don't need it be thankful! :) GL

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jul 27, 2011

I understand not wanting to spend your entire time away from school studying, but it truly is best to know the material through and through, no matter the time it takes. You may require more time in certain areas than others, leaving it open to not really set much of a habitual time limit on your studies. It could potentially hurt you in the short and long term. Study until you know the material is the most literal way of studying. Good luck! :)

KingsMommy · Jul 27, 2011

Learn it and when you think you know it- make sure you could teach or explain it. Thats how you know when you get it. I typically study 2 hours before class each day and 4 after. I know its excessive but I am not as fast as other people and I work so hard to get A's. I pre-read for class then re- learn it after. Just basically plan on having date night with index cards and highlighters- and please sched a little time to yourself- or you'll lose your mind.

I'll be finished with school in March and this has gotten me through so far-

good luck

mz-purposedriven_rn · Jul 27, 2011

Everyone is different, but I generally reviewed material atleast once a week for 2 or 3 hrs.Another good habit is studying atleast the weekend before the actually week of the test(2wks before)..This reduces anxiety and actually gives u an idea of wut u actually need to improve or know!!

Good Luck:lol2:

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Jul 28, 2011

Hmmm interesting. I probably study an hour here or there but when I have an exam I usually study 1 to 2 hours a day for about a week before the exam. I find its easier studied for shorter peroids more often so 1/2 hours a day seems to suit me well. I don't read through the text though unless it's something I don't understand or am really interested in it.

mamayogibear · Jul 28, 2011

I am not yet in nursing school but for all my prereqs I would study an hour before school and an hour after school each day on the bus while commuting. I plan to do the same once I start nursing school. I hope that is enough:)