How many hours per week do you study?

Lisa CCU RN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

I've noticed one thing--most of the A students review NCLEX questions before tests.

I have just started doing this even though I've had the review guides for a while. Maybe I can turn my B's in A's.

To answer the original question, I have no idea how much I study. I just complete the assignments we have and try to read before each class, but that doesn't always happen.

We have a lot of CD ROMS that came with our books and I do spend a lot of time reviewing those. Basically, on some days I study none at all, and then about 3 days before a test, I study by reading the notes and looking at the CD's. Now, I've added answering the NCLEX questions.

landonsles · Mar 20, 2006

I'm in my last semester of an ADN pgm, and I have maintained my 4.0 throughout college (all 100+ hrs of it--yeah, I've changed my major a time or two...or three!)

For semesters 1-3, I would avg about 5 hrs/week on non-test weeks reading and reviewing. On test weeks, I would spend about 10 hrs/week doing test maps and answering umpteen billion NCLEX questions (which I HIGHLY recommend!)

This semester is TOTALLY different--I am about to enter my 3rd trimester of pregnancy and do not have the energy to read or study as much as I have in the past--so I avg about 3 hrs/week on test weeks and 0 hrs on non-test weeks. Funny thing is--I am doing better on my tests than I ever have (I have been making 96's & 100's, as opposed to 92's-96's from previous semesters).

CrystalClear75, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

I study about 5 hours a day, about 6 days a week! :uhoh3: :blushkiss :wink2:

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2006

In an ideal world I would like to study for five hours a day. Right now it's more like 1 or 2, and maybe a few more if there's an exam the next day. I worked until 11 pm this past Thursday night, and didn't end up studying at all for my calculations quiz on Friday. I think I managed to pull it off, but I feel some days like I'm flying by the seat of my pants.

I'm in an accelerated BSN program. So far I'm getting straight A's (except for my physics pre-req), but because I'm working 20 hours per week and taking 17 credits I'm having a little trouble keeping my grades up right now. I have a feeling that my GPA will be taking a hit this semester, but at this point I'll be satisfied if I make the dean's list.

A few of my friends are in medical school, and they did a lot more studying in their first two years than I do now. They're in their fourth year now and they're still very busy with their rotations and such. There is no way they can work except for the summer after their first year. I give them credit, because they constantly had to turn down time with friends and family and live a very simple lifestyle just to get through school.

Lady_in_red · Mar 20, 2006

Most course work is designed with the 1 hr of class time = 2 hrs of study time rule (or so my instructors tell me). It really depends on how fast you read and how fast you can memorize.

I read quickly and still spend about six hours a week doing the reading. But doing all the reading isn't really necessary for good grades in most classes. The instructors tell you what they want you to know in my classes. Going over those sections is enough. I get a litle obsessive over it though. The preclinical prep forms usually take me about six hours. Then there are any additional projects that are due that week that take anywhere from 2-6 hours. In all that's around 12-18 hours of study time. I have A/A- throughout college.

I know there are a lot of students in my classes who don't do any of the reading and still get As. It depends on your life experience I guess :cool:

hercsp · Mar 24, 2006

I do not study like I should. I am in my first semester of nursing, and I stress out so bad before tests and wish I would have studied more. However, right now I am hanging in there with all A's. I start med-surg next semester, and I have heard it is really hard. Anyone have advice how to prepare? I would like to keep mostly A's due to the fact I want to go back for a masters. Anyway, I usually study the night before a test, and one of my classes is in the late afternoon, so I study the day of for the tests in that class.

watchthis22 · Mar 24, 2006

I do not study like I should. I am in my first semester of nursing, and I stress out so bad before tests and wish I would have studied more. However, right now I am hanging in there with all A's. I start med-surg next semester, and I have heard it is really hard. Anyone have advice how to prepare? I would like to keep mostly A's due to the fact I want to go back for a masters. Anyway, I usually study the night before a test, and one of my classes is in the late afternoon, so I study the day of for the tests in that class.

Oh honey...this will not work for Med/Surg!!!!! :nono: This is one CRAZY class! Seems like all I do is study, work, study, go to class, study, go to clinicals, study, sleep for 10 minutes, study some more! Better get to it before this class. There are many, many people in my class who made great grades before this semester and now are failing. There is a lot of info to cover, and what you have done in the past to study may not work any longer. I have studied four different ways (through 5 exams) and still have a very low B average. Hopefully, the newest way (reading outloud, then reading and taking notes, then doing and reviewing the objectives) will make an improvement on my test score...but the silly thing isn't posted yet! Good luck in whatever you do.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2006

I do not study like I should. I am in my first semester of nursing, and I stress out so bad before tests and wish I would have studied more. However, right now I am hanging in there with all A's. I start med-surg next semester, and I have heard it is really hard. Anyone have advice how to prepare? I would like to keep mostly A's due to the fact I want to go back for a masters. Anyway, I usually study the night before a test, and one of my classes is in the late afternoon, so I study the day of for the tests in that class.

I would not recommend that approach for med surg. Of course different things work for different people, but I have found that studying for an hour for two or three days before the test is much more effective than spending five hours the night before trying to cram. Also, studying the day of the test (if I'm not sufficiently prepared) just raises my anxiety level, and I don't end up retaining much of the information anyways.

Lady_in_red · Mar 24, 2006

Oh, another thing I like to do is read the material, read the notes, then make up questions about the information and put them on notecards.

Questions like, "Your patient has pitting edema, a bp of 170/90, RR 22, P 102, T 37.2C, a dx of CHF. She c/o thirst and trouble breathing. What are five appropriate actions? What is the first nursing action? Explain your rationale."

It really makes you think about all of the things you have learned to make up good questions and it helps to review what you know again when you answer them. These are really great for studying in groups. Everyone appreciates the questions that are focused on your class, too.

nsgstudentinthe254 · Mar 25, 2006

I am in an ADN program. i am in my third semester. i spend a lot of time studying. We mainly have multiple choice tests where there may be four correct answers, but you have to know priority, what you do first. I study about four hours a day. As I read the chapter I write down the pertinent info. For me that helps it to sink in. Study groups are not very helpful to me. People just always seem to want to gossip. In class i highlight what the teacher focuses on. There is too much info for them to go over everything so you really do nned to have a grip on all of the info because it is all fair game for the tests. I do alot of practice tests. I like the ones that give you the rationale because it gives me a better understanding of why that answer is right vs. another answer.