I Don't Know How To Study :(

[peppapig123]

Seriously. I don't know how I got by during the summer semester. Now fall semester is almost here. I have some tough classes- biochem, college algebra, psychology....any tips on how to study? I always just sit there and read and it gets boring. Its hard to try to study at home. I can never focus. I really want to do well this semester.

[PalmHarborMom]

hopefullyfuturenurse- recorders can be bought for as little as $50 BUT I would recommend spending alittle extra to buy one that has a USB built into it, rechargeable battery and more storage. I have an Olympus recorder that I can record a whole semester on. I can either listen with ear buds or use the USB to plug into my computer. Also the USB is used to charge it and a charge lasts about 8 hrs.

I am in my first semester of nursing school and this is what works for me... I record lectures and use them to write notes. I use several different colors when writing notes. The main body is written in black but the key words are in different colors. I can visualize my notes when I am taking a test. For exams.... I look like a weirdo but I read my notes out loud to myself. Also get a study group together but no more than 2 or 3 other people. More than that becomes a social hour. Also, make sure that those in the study group study and do not expect to be taught everything. There should be a give and take, meaning what I have trouble with someone can help me and vice versa.

[runforfun]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I really like the dry erase board idea, I'm gonna buy one :) I also liked the idea of recording lectures. Where can I buy a recorder? About how much do they cost?

Someone already hit on this, but if you have a smartphone, they usually have a voice recorder or you can download an app. Just test it out to make sure you get the quality you want-an actual recorder tends to have higher quality.

Bestbuy has a pretty good selection and price range...or at least they did 4 years ago.

[charli_appleRN]

I tried the highlighting but it worked like blackout for me. Whenever I went to review, I totally missed the highlighted parts...lol. For my BIO classes, I started out recording lectures but once I finally tried the online study tools that come with the textbook.....that and the homework assignments were pretty much all I used

I think a couple of flash cards and an understanding of nature vs. nurture got me through Psych with an A. Allgebra comes naturally to me so I dont really feel like I did anything other than homework in there.

In Pharm you'll go over HUNDREDS of medications. If your instructor gives out any kind of practice assignments, like crosswords and things like that, make sure you know EVERYTHING about any medication he or she puts on there.....including other medications that fall into the same class. For example, if one of the answers is Allopurinol, make sure you know everything there is to know about all antigout agents.

For research papers, just be sure to answer every question. You'd be surprised at how many can be answered in one sentence...lol

[AnAppleGirl]

So this is my first time posting on here, but I feel like studying is one of my strong points and I thought I could be some help. The thing that helps me the best is that I make sure I take in the information in all forms. I like to record the lectures (if I am close enough to the professor I can record them on my IPhone), I take meticulous notes, review the professors slides if they will give them to you, and do practice problems if there are any. I also will read the material, but I hear you, it is so hard to concentrate on text books. I usually skim the books and focus on the material that the professor stressed or that I find particularly interesting. Finding friends in your classes is super important. I like to have study groups at least once a week, and having friends in class makes it easier so you can review and bounce ideas about the material off each other before and after class.

Sometimes I like to go to a coffee shop or library for an hour or two with some music in my ears and that really helps me when I really need to focus and get away from the distractions at home.

I have been able to maintain a 3.98 while working on my pre-reqs over the past year and a half while raising two little munchkins. The key is taking the info in in a variety of ways and not studying for hours straight on end. Take lots of breaks and stay away from distractions.

Also Khan Academy on YouTube has great instructions and tutorials for chemistry and math. Not sure what other stuff they offer, but it saved my booty in chemistry.

Hope this helps! Good luck this semester!

[Nurse2b7337]

alovelymother by chance are you a kinesthetic learner?

[quirkyvanilla]

These study tips are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing them. What is a good website to go to to take the learning style quiz?

[NightNerd, MSN, RN]

-Highlighting, taking notes, etc. straight in your book

-Recording lectures

-Buying A & P coloring books/other workbooks for the classes you take, and working on the parts that are emphasized in class

-Talking to yourself (in the privacy of your own study space, of course) - I usually do this by reading my notes, explaining diagrams/drawings in the text, etc. to my stuffed animals. I'm not much for study groups, but this works for me really well.

-Study groups with actual people, if that's more your thing

-Take whatever practice tests you are given or can find

-Go through study guides and figure out which parts you know; then go back and write down only the answers you didn't know - thsi helps you avoid wasting time

[zoe92]

I use the white board! I am a visual learner so it helps. It is a huge white board too, right on the wall in my bedroom, and 2 ft x 2 ft. I have different colored markers and "Teach" myself. I love creating little hints, phrases, or pictures to remember.