How do you stay on top of your nursing classes/clinical?

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This quarter will be busy! Looking over my schedule, everything will be jam-packed at the end of the month. I'm taking 2 classes - mental health and med surg. In one week, I'll have lecture for both classes in one day, 2 days of clinical for evening shift, one lab class the whole day, and one mental health clinical so I'll have one day "off" out of those 5 days, while keeping up with readings, homework, assignments... for everything. There's also the computerized test you take at the end of quarter (like ATI, Kaplan) with both those classes. I'm already trying to keep up right now... any advice?

Someone suggested maybe doing next week's readings the week before and if you can start with homework sunday night, do it and get it done and all that week, focus on clinical - the care plans, skills, documentation, etc... It's hard trying to do all these things, since I just found out I'm a kinesthetic learner - I need to be active in learning all the time. My health is also dependent on working out. I literally cannot function or stay awake without any kind of cardio (and you know how some clinicals can be slow, tempting opportunities and perfect setting for a nap). I was thinking of working once a week but I may need to cut that down while it's busy and come back again when it's not. I'm lucky with my time (not married nor in a relationship , nor do I have a child) so all those who have more commitments, I have such respect for them.

I'd love to hear all your advice, I'll take anything! Thanks everyone!

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Make sure you keep a pocketbook calendar or planner handy to track all your deadlines,exams, etc for work and school. Take notes in class and when you have time make them into an outline w bullet points. Always make flashcards for your classes! That way you can quiz yourself all the way to exam time,have a file system where you list disease and their conditions,signs and symptoms, etc. If your professor will allow, tape record the lectures, this is a good tool to find out what exactly is on the test. Stay in contact with your instructor,you never know when you may need them...Ask questions! if anything is unclear to you, don't be afraid to ask questions.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Flight.

Planner- write everything down. i do this plus i have a calendar on the fridge and post it's everywhere...

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I have class 2 days a week, clinicals 1 day a week, (first semester) and lab for 2 hours a week around that...plus i work 3 days a week...and i get 1 day to cram everything in...its not easy....but our schools have a thing where we can download all our books on up to 3 devices, so I have them on my phone, my computer and a small tablet i take with me everywhere, so whenever i get a second i pull out whatever i have and glance over the material...its not much, but it works...i'm passing and i'm dreading next quarter...

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Specializes in 10.

I agree with everything everyone said here. Try to stay ahead of the studies as much possible.

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