How many of you have study system in place?

System??Hmmm.

I try to read nights but often fall asleep. I get most of my reading, flash card making and quizzing done on the weekends. Iam currently looking for other prenursing students at my school to maybe get a study group together for my class.

I have 3 children so I if I don't have a system nothing gets done. I also try to keep my evenings, and weekends as free as possible for them by cramming everything into the week.

Heres what I did.....

I used excel to make a paper that had all the days of the week across the top, and the time down side in increments of every 15 minutes. I started by writing in when I wake up, and go to sleep (a consistant wake up and bedtime is very important). Then I listed all of my in class time, driving time, getting dressed in the morning, getting children ready, and getting them to school and back time. I used map pencils to shade in things in different colors. I then looked at the white and planned a study schedule for each subject using the formula of 2 hours out of class for every hour in class. If I find I do not need the time alloted for a certain subject when its planned I will move on to the next subject listed and have a bit of free time when I done for the day. I was able to get it all into the weekdays except for one hour each evening after my son goes to bed. Saturdays, and Sundays are free for family unless I have to take someone to the doctor, dentist etc then I have alloted those days for make up time. I planned to go to bed at 11 pm each evening, but have alloted from 11pm-12am for emergency cramming if need be. This is my plan and we will see how it works.

I have been using the two hours I have alone each day (between my school and when the kids get home) to do any of the work/studying that takes quiet and concentration. Then, while the kids do their homework, we all sit at the table and I do the less demanding stuff or re-type notes or make flash cards.

I have one class that takes a lot of time each week, so I always keep that book with me at school, even on days that I do not have that class. If a class gets out early, or if I have any time between classes, I study in the student lounge while I eat lunch.

I also have been taking advantage of something that I learned this summer...your brain processes the things you learn during the day while you sleep. So, I read/study the most challenging tings for about an hour before bed. Then again in the morning, I skim the same info during breakfast, and I swear, it always makes more sense in the morning!

I have a "system" of sorts that produces outstanding results for me.

Before talking about "systems," though, you need to decide what kinds of grades you're willing to accept in order to determine the priority that school becomes.

My "system" mostly comes down to time and hard work.

• I read the book multiple times.
  
• I quiz myself regularly during study sessions.
  
• I write summaries out of my head and then correct them out of the book.
  
• I read the book.
  
• I study nearly every day. Sometimes it's just quick reviews and sometimes it's for hours on end.
  
• I go to EVERY class, sit in front, pay attention, and ask questions.
  
• I read the book.
  
• I focus on the stuff that's the hardest for me.
  
• I look up references and review past material when it's relevant.
  
• I make flashcards and review sheet.

I have a system, of sorts, but I dont know how well it would work for anyone else, because I'm sort of anal retentive about my grades.

First, I skim the chapter, and highlight things I think will be important

Then, I go over the questions at the end of the chapter, and try to answer them. I mark the ones that seem more difficult to me with a pencil. Then I go back over the chapter, this time with my notebook beside me, jotting down the things I highlighted, as well as any important things I may have missed.

Then I go back over the questions at the end of the chapter.

After that, I head to the textbook website (most textbooks have a website with practice tests and quizzes, animations, etc) or if the book came with a CD, I'll use that. I quiz myself over and over, using only my notes as reference.

I've found that if I can grasp the big picture, the details come easier. For some things, the animations really help. For example, I was having a hard time understanding muscle contraction until I watched an animated video on the textbook website. Then it all just seemed to click (and I aced that part of the test!).

What it really comes down to is knowing what type of learner you are, and creating a system that works for you. If you are a visual learner, than perhaps making notecards of a process (like muscle contraction, one step on each card) and laying them out in order after you mixed them up will help you visualize the information.

Hope it helps...!

Thank you so much for this thread! It used to be that I never really had to study terribly hard and I still did well. Now I have lots of other stuff going on (and I'm older! lol) and I'm finding I need to get a system in place. I have a lot to learn!

Please keep it coming!

Tiffany