How to study!

anonymousstudent · Jul 18, 2011

What helps me is looking at the rationales and the test taking tips. I found that once I had a good system for answering questions - here's mine for how I order things: safety, ABC, neuro, Maslow, Erickson. If there's confusion/disorientation or bleeding I always look at those. Of course this doesn't help you when you just have to know the information cold.

What prep books are you using? I love Saunders and Davis.

kitty222 · Jul 18, 2011

at least you are already on the nclex, i cant study not even for two hourse and im in the nursing program ... im so frustrated, please tell me how you id it, how you manged to sit and study for hours without loosing concentration and frustratig and actually learning

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jul 18, 2011

I agree with the above, especially focusing on rationales. Just keep doing as many questions as you can per day and you will increase your knowledge base. Also take boards ASAP, while the information is still fresh in your head.

Good luck !

ClassyChristina · Jul 18, 2011

With a 97 average I don't think you have anything to worry about. Unless your school doesn't use nclex style tests. I was a B or C student in the LPN program(at the school with the best passing rate in the area) and I passed with 85 questions with a four month break of NO studying.... on the other hand I have met people who got straight A's at other schools and have failed three times.

Get out your PN NCLEX study book and do a few questions everytime you think of you. You'll do fine! :)

kd2010 · Jul 19, 2011

at least you are already on the nclex, i cant study not even for two hourse and im in the nursing program ... im so frustrated, please tell me how you id it, how you manged to sit and study for hours without loosing concentration and frustratig and actually learning

^

My first tip for studying is definetely to relax. I remember for the first month of nursing school I was just so overwhelmed with all the work and kept flipping through each chapter dreading the fact I had to read it. But after I got farther into school I realized what study habits worked for me. I found a quiet place in my home and put in some ear plugs. I'd sit for 5-10 minutes and relax myself with deep breathing and motivation. Then I'd open the books. I found it extremely helpful to make the chapters into almost a quiz for myself. I'd read a few paragraphs, do some highlighting, then ask myself some questions about what I just read. It made the reading go by a lot faster and made me remember everything easier. Also, take breaks! Sitting for hours on end is a lot of work and makes it more difficult to concentrate. I would do a half hour, walk around for 10 minutes, then go back to it. Studying isn't going to be the most exciting thing you do, but keep in mind your goal to pass the test, graduate, and be the best nurse you can be. Believe in yourself and studying will become so much easier.

Thanks for the replys everyone! :heartbeat

I'm currently using Saunders Q&A review for the NCLEX pn examination. I skipped out on books like Incredibly Easy and others because I felt like I had enough knowledge with all my notes and my textbooks. I'm reconsidering that decision though...there are a lot of topics I'm coming across that we didn't cover too well in school, and that's extremely discouraing. The questions just seem so filled with information and I have trouble picking out what's really important and which answer is really relevent.

Any tips on how to not be overwhelmed by the question and find the key parts without feeling like I haven't learned a thing? :confused:

Thanks!

ddunnrn · Jul 19, 2011

I haven't been in school for a while, but I did well in college and decent in grad school before going to nursing school. Of course, not every method works for everyone, but here are my suggestions:

Sleep, Sleep, Sleep: learning is more efficient if you aren't tired. Get enough overall sleep, and when you are starting to burn out studying, take a little nap--that's when your neurons get to work forming your memories of what you studied. You will retain more if you are refreshed. A little caffeine is OK, but too much, or other drugs, are counter-productive.

Do a quick overview of everything when you start, just scanning for words and topics that seem to be important. If there are sample test or quiz questions, read them all first, too, and you may get an idea of which topics are important. I often find that one question will lead me to the answer for another by jogging my memory.

Especially in math and the physical sciences, try to understand reasons and concepts, not just memorize formulas.

Hope I've been helpful, Good Luck!

Dave Dunn, RN