How much time do you *really*spend studying?

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I am curious if I am doing too much, or not enough! I would love to hear how often everyone studies and if you dont mind sharing, what your general GPA/letter grade is. I spend at least 3 hours every night studying, and weekends are a free for all. This has worked well so far (pre-reqs) but I havent taken my first nursing test yet... I hope its enough!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
When she said you called her program easy, she was only stating what you were clearly alluding to, but wouldn't (for whatever reason) state outright. It was pretty obvious what you were pointing at.

While we're on the subject of accuracy, I never got the impression that her perspective is that she's a nursing wonderkind with inborn knowledge. She stated quite clearly that she has a wealth of personal experience with a wide range of healthcare topics. She also stated that for those topics that she may not have had much personal experience or foreknowledge to draw from, she studied more intently.

A lot of things could account for her success. She could be a truly auditory learner...it could be that she has a healthy amount of confidence that precludes her from feeling like she has to meet a pseudo arbitrary (arbitrary for her, maybe not for others) study/reading quota in order to feel prepared. Perhaps she's better than most at seeing the bigger picture and doesn't need to invest the time others do in searching for it. But I do know from my own experience, that she is not the only one...

Much as it might sting to learn that others can succeed and thrive in nursing school without devoting an enormous amount of time to study, since for you, it may be much different in that respect, that's no reason to be belittling. It doesn't make you less than, it just makes you different. And I mean that sincerely. The end goal is the same. I'm sure you'll both get there and will be well prepared when you do. But it doesn't hurt to show a little grace along the way.

Thank you, I couldn't have said it more perfectly. I never claimed to be some super genius. I don't have a 4.0 I don't even get majority A's. I have gotten some C's and I have gotten some A's. I struggled in a lot of my science related Pre Reqs. It didn't come easy for me. But as far as nursing school is concerned, I have done pretty good with little effort. I prefer the testing style in nursing school more than the pre reqs. I never said I NEVER study. I just don't study a lot. Not even close to the (what seem insane amounts) of time I see here. Pharm was a lot more like the pre reqs and that didn't come as easy. I am not alluded into thinking the advanced med/surge classes are going to come easy either. So far though, the majority of the stuff we have covered hasn't been difficult. I have a B average. A B in our program is an 85% to 94%. I am sure if I put forth a better effort and studied more I could do better. But as it stands, I am not doing bad and I still have free time. I know I am not alone in this as I have seen many posts here of student that are the same way. I don't do well studying out of books. That isn't the type of learner I am. I see people post how dreadful nursing school has been. That hasn't been my experience. It hasn't been a cake walk. I do loathe doing the care plans and multiple page papers with APA format. I rather have an extra clinical day than to do those. I also don't spend hours upon hours on a care plan either and I do well on them.

We are all different.

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Specializes in ICU.
I rather have an extra clinical day than to do those.

I'm with you on that one. Additionally, one thing I have gathered about nursing in general and nursing school in particular is that, so long as it is accurate, it doesn't matter much where or how you gather the information or the base knowledge so long as your application, integration, execution, and reasoning are intact. That is not the sort of thing that you can get from reading - hence the emphasis on critical thinking. At some point, the student must pry their nose out of the books (so to speak) and learn to come to conclusions and draw connections on their own.

You've got to be willing enough and brave enough to make mistakes in training, so that you don't make them in practice.

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Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

We never really had assigned reading from our texts. While "required" (which in of itself was a joke) the texts were primarily for reference purposes. We had very in depth power points that were provided to us via the internet for us to print out prior to lecture to bring in and take additional notes during lecture (or type them as we were free to bring in our laptops). Some power points even had our professor's notes combined in. If there was something of extreme importance in our texts, our professors would provide us with the reference and we could go back on our own and read.

A lot of our required readings were research articles that were provided for us either printed or hyper linked so we could print or save to our computers on our own. Other required readings were for our theory and leadership courses-this required more abstract than factual/tangible knowledge like our core courses, so reading was necessary (at least IMO).

How many hours did I study on average? I really couldn't tell you. It varied that much and was entirely dependent on the course. Some courses, like OB where I have vested interest, I didn't need to study that much. Others like Med/Surge required that I put more effort into studying.

My best piece of advice is be flexible and figure it out as you go. You will quickly learn how much effort you do or don't need to put into studying.

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Specializes in taking a break from inpatient psychiatric nursing.

Before I went to LPN school, I had no idea I was a "morning person!" I'd wake up at 6am, ready to study from my books and notes. Weird. I guess I liked the information in my classes. I could get 90 minutes in, then get ready for school.

Right after school, from 4-6pm, I'd be worthless. Then after dinner my brain would perk up again, and I'd be good for another 60-90 minutes or so of studying, usually not from my textbooks, but using the internet to find videos and diagrams and definitions.

Scattered studying and group project work on Saturday might be be 3-hours. And, "never on Sunday" was a promise I made to my partner, that we would have time together free and clear of school stuff on Sundays as well as Friday nights. I tried to clear my own mind that day, too, and looked for diversions - and exercise!

What does that add up to? About 15 hours per week during a 10-month accelerated LPN program. I graduated with at 94% grade average, and passed the NCLEX-PN in the minimum 85 questions.

Now, on to RN school - PART-TIME!

Good luck!

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I don't study that much either and I do pretty well. I do try to make an effort to read my chapters. If I read and at least see the information once then I can pull it out better during a test or clinicals then had I never read. Besides the reading, there is also the time spent on clinical paperwork, research papers, care plans, and projects. But as far as strict, sit down and go over my notes 300x studying goes I do less than 10 hours a week. I don't really keep count so that number isn't entirely correct, but I know its not that much. As of right now I have an overall GPA of 3.87 and 2 Bs and the rest As during 2 semesters of nursing school. Granted, I have 5 more semesters to go! :uhoh3:

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Studies have shown that one should study three hours per credit hour per week, minimum. I am taking Pharm and Foundations for a total of 10, so I have to shoot for 4 1/2 to 5 hrs per day.

I'm taking 16 credit hours this semester, if I used that formula I would have to study 7 hours a day. :eek: I would never sleep! I like to sleep!

Looking back I would say that I put in the most effort first two semesters. I would usually do 2-3 hours each night prepping for class or reviewing material and 4-6 the night before clinical (since we got our patients that afternoon). When tests came up I would do a few 6-8 hour days with study groups a few days before the exam. Those were the Fundamentals classes, Med-Surg, Pharm, Health Assessment, Patho, etc. I might have spent the whole day "studying", but between procrastination and breaks, it usually worked out to fewer hours :jester:

The next two semesters were more specific, there was Psych, Peds, OB, Public Health, a couple fluffy classes and probably something else I'm forgetting. I was burned out and I slacked off a bit and maybe put 1-2 hours in a regular night, 4-5 the night before clinical, and then the same for the tests. I also volunteered 10-15 hours a week. I have a 3.8, some honors stuff and have received several scholarships. I'm happy with my performance in nursing school and the effort I've put in.

This semester, I think I've spent about 3 hours studying in the last two weeks, better get on that!

My other rule is, I don't do anything tired--unless it's due the next day :rolleyes:. If I'm sleepy and can't concentrate I'll go to bed. If it's the middle of the day I'll have a snack, go for a run or knit. I think studies also show that well rested students perform better.

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If only it were that easy again. I'm in a nursing doctoral program, and right now my life revolves around my research and literature reviews, as well as reading and studying. Free time is what is left over for family and doing things with my husband. I also actively search for grant funding. If you are serious about your nursing career, and being proficient in your role, it will become a way of life. You will have to give up certain things ( maybe TV!)

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hi HaikuCatLady, I am wondering which school did you go to ? It is so hard to get an A in nursing school and I do not know how you maintained a 4.0 GPA? I'd appreciate it if you do not mind share with us. thanks!

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Specializes in Psych, Chem Dependency, Occ. Health.

I'm in an MSN program for FNP and right now with just two classes, theory and advanced patho I easily study a solid 7-8 hours a day, 6 days a week. I study 4-5 hours on Sundays. No joke. It has become my full-time job. I still feel like I am a-l-w-a-y-s behind. I studied a lot in my ADN and BSN program but nothing like I have to study now.

Sue, RN

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thanks for the reply. You seem a really good student. Good luck with your program.

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It's pretty easy to breeze through the easy stuff - but if you are studying to be a NP or, for example, a law student ( who typically study 6 hours a day, no joke) or med students - who are required to read at least 3-4 hours a day just to keep up - when you are studying the harder things, unless you have a photographic memory, you really do have to spend time at your studies.

good luck to all! It's really worth it in the end, when you put the time in.

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thanks for sharing. I hope I could study for 6 hours per day, but it is so hard to sit down and read the book after the whole day class because I am just exhausted. But your message was encouraging. thanks!

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