How to study????

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I can easily absorb info from English classes and History classes, but when it comes to the Sciences I have a hard time. Simply reading is not enough. Writing down notes is not enough.

All of my classes have been online and I won't lie. I have opened up the book to check my answer a time or two on a test.

How do you prevent brain dump? How do you absorb the material?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

You don't have to take proctored tests? If not then I assume the professors know people open their books to check answers. All of my tests are proctored so I can't look at answers. But I am only taking a math class online because I have no other choice this summer. I think sciences should be done in person. Many nursing programs will not accept online science classes. So check and make sure your program will accept them.

I liked to use quizlet for my science classes. It is a great app I put on my ipad to help me retain stuff from A&P and my micro classes. I took notes during lecture then while it was still fresh in my brain I would transfer it to quizlet and that is how I would study. I am taking college algebra online right now and I hate it. I need to be in front of a professor to ask questions, but that is how I learn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

Try to find lectures online if they are not offered to you, or take a class on campus. You learn a lot more when you hear something being taught to you, rather than simply reading it. All else fails, look up the concepts on youtube. Most of the time there are explanatory videos that can count as a lecture. You can also try reading the material out loud. Record yourself and listen to it back. It's a lot of effort that way but I am assuming you want to know the material, not just pass a class and that involved a lot of effort.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

No, the tests aren't proctored. The sciences I take lecture online, but lab on campus. Those exams are on campus as well.

I thought quizlet wasn't reliable? Kind of like Wikipedia?

You don't have to take proctored tests? If not then I assume the professors know people open their books to check answers. All of my tests are proctored so I can't look at answers. But I am only taking a math class online because I have no other choice this summer. I think sciences should be done in person. Many nursing programs will not accept online science classes. So check and make sure your program will accept them.

I liked to use quizlet for my science classes. It is a great app I put on my ipad to help me retain stuff from A&P and my micro classes. I took notes during lecture then while it was still fresh in my brain I would transfer it to quizlet and that is how I would study. I am taking college algebra online right now and I hate it. I need to be in front of a professor to ask questions, but that is how I learn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I don't use the answers on quizlet. I make up my own cards from lectures and then use those to study. Once you enter your own stuff in it will mix up the flash cards for you and make like matching tests for you. I don't use it for other people's answers although I know some people who do. I wouldn't trust what other people put in there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The way to study is to know what type of a learner you are. In pre-nursing classes I did fine with reading the textbook and class notes. Then along came nursing school and I found reading all the material word for word time consuming. That's when I took the what-type-of-a-learner-are-you test and discovered I am more of a visual learner. I started to incorporate watching videos, looking at diagrams and pictures in my studies and I found I retained more material. Other times I make mental pictures of the concepts I study and chances are good that'll remember them. So I encourage you to discover what type of a learner you are and try it out. Also, always have a short, realistic goal of what you'd like to achieve by the end of each study session. Having a goal keeps you focused at the task on hand. Lastly, take breaks in between your studies. All the best :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You'll have to experiment and figure out what works for you. NOW is the time to sort this out, as you DO NOT want to be figuring this out in nursing school!

For me, note cards are my #1. I also do Post-Its on the bathroom mirror, and I'll record myself reading my notes aloud, which I can then play back in the car, so between writing, reading, reading aloud, and hearing everything, I get it in several different methods, and it helps me retain a lot of it.

When I took anatomy and physiology, it helped a lot to draw everything. I am NO artist, but it made me pay attention to the details a lot, and it looked nice in the end, which helped me to study. I could picture my cards when I took the exam later.

YouTube can be good for learning processes (think Kreb's Cycle, metabolism, follow a drop of blood, etc.).

Try different things and see what works!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm a visuall learner and taking fast track chemistry this summer. What is helping is ao far is first I create a mini outline of the chapter with two sentence summary.

Look for *relationships* with concepts. Its a lot easier to understand. For instance you say something like "because of THIS happening, THAT is happening.

You can also look for what the material has in *common* similairities.

Find something in science that you can relate to one of your personal interest. If you love music,find a way to relate music to sciencce, etc.

Its pretty funny but helps me. Because I'm studying chemistry, I think of "husband and wife" for instance "atoms are single people dating to become molecules (husband and wife) because molecules are two or more. Get the idea? Lol whatever helps

As a visual learner, I take notes doing *mind maps* writing. *connection* between A and B.

When you form a connection or relationship, you learn more and also comprehend the material a little easier.

Do you study better during the day or night? Pick a time that's best you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It just depends on what kind of learner you are. A good nursing program will do its best to accommodate different learning styles, but it's important for you to know for yourself, too.

I'm a a visual/hands on learner... so having copies of the lecture powerpoints helped me a great deal. I still have those and refer back to them sometimes. Also, doing case studies, drawing things out, practice tests, etc were very useful to me.

A lot of nursing students benefit from studying in groups, which is what most of the people in my class did. It can really help to map things out and discuss with other people.

It takes some trial and error to find out what really works best for you. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day, carys:

I've been using quizlet for about a year now; it is extremely reliable if you make your own sets. Making your own sets increases retention as well as you are the one typing in the information.

As for me, I'm a multi-mode learner (visual, auditory, kinetic). I try to involve all modalities: I read, I speak what I read out loud (sometimes I sing it, sometimes I yell it, sometimes I whisper it). At home, I'll pace while I do so or tap a pen/pencil like drumming, and at school sometimes I'll doodle if the note taking isn't extremely fast paced. I also found getting a good night's sleep works wonders for helping memorize and learn material.

]Here are some links that may be useful in terms of improving overall study skills, taking notes, reading text books, etc.

]SQ4R Study Method

]Note Taking Systems - Academic Skills Center: Study Skills Library - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

]

Cornell Notetaking System Explained--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Google Image Result for http://kenpitts.net/images/cornell_note_how_to.jpg

Time management

Reading University Level Materials--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read Effectively in the Sciences--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read and Study Medical Texts--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

More About Effective Textbook Study--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

An Effective Textbook Study Strategy--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Mark a Section of a Textbook Chapter--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

]

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took notes, made flashcards, used Quizlet, Studyblue, Khan Academy, YouTube, and iTunes U to listen to lectures in the car. I drew A LOT. In my last prereq, the professor made us draw everything, and I can't tell you how helpful that was. Mnemonics are helpful, too. Check Pinterest, and the Apple app store had tons of medical/science mnemonic apps that were helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment