I need advice!

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This is my first post! I couldn't find a post that was similar to my situation so I figured I'd write my own! Hopefully there is someone out there who can help!

I've always been a hard worker, but I've never been very smart. I get by because I do everything my instructor asks of me BUT I've NEVER been any good at taking tests, despite the fact that I feel a lot of anxiety whenever I take it. I'm about to start nursing classes in a few weeks and I've been so stressed out about it. I'm so worried about this HESI exam we have to take at the end of every quarter and as I mentioned before I'm a REALLY bad test taker. We need to pass this exam every quarter to move on to the next, or you will be removed from the program

(:cry::o:crying2::bluecry1:). Even if I study and study and study and study, my exam scores are still really bad. It's always been like this. What's wrong with me!? I'm also really bad at memorizing. Is there anything I can do to change this? It's a stressful feeling, as I know this is what nursing is about, being tested.

Everyone that I go to school with is bright and I can picture them being successful, but whenever I look at myself, I feel as if I'm the only one behind. Is there any advice you can give me? I'm not a bright student who on top of that is so bad at taking EXAMS. It's making me really depressed.

Any words of encouragement? I need help getting through this and I feel as if I'm the only going through it.

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How far along in your program are you? Also, when you are studying do you find that you are distracted by other obligations or are you completely focused? This could make a big difference. I can't speak to the HESI since my school does not have that. You will make it up to her ten-fold once you start working. I just have to keep reiterating to myself how much this sacrifice that we are all making will be worth it. It's not easy though.

And as far as memorizing, I think as you move forward it is not so much about memorizing but about understanding concepts. Yes, you need to know lab values, meds, etc, but over time the information will stick. Try to learn the concepts of the nursing process inside and out. It will start to come naturally. Do you have access to any test taking software to help you in learning to answer nursing questions? That could help. I am thinking about nurselogic or something like that?

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Oh and one more thing, I know this sounds corny but your mind is very powerful. You said you see others as successful and not yourself. Try to visualize yourself really doing well on the test, being successful, doing things well. If you are are picturing otherwise it is very self-defeating. You must have done something right to get there, you can do this!

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I don't think you mentioned it, but are you also working on the side?

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getting2work: ill be starting nursing fundamentals in less than a month! thank you so much for this.. i really didnt think anyone would reply.. its really uplifting to read what you have told me.

rednights: im currently unemployed, getting a lot of help and support from my family.. they are another reason why im so stressed.. i dont want to disappoint them!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

First of all stop putting yourself down, if you think negative about yourself you will never succeed, you need to change your attitude regarding yourself and tell yourself you can succeed and you will succeed and that you are a smart person. You wouldn't have gotten into Nursing School without some brains!!! So have some faith in yourself!!!

Second, your school has resources, you pay for them with your tutition, use them. Check into what services they have for test taking and test anxiety, for studying and so on. They are their you just have to find them and utilize them. When you start nursing find out the tutoring policy if you need to.

I suck at exams and suck at memorizing on my pre reqs, so far I am doing great in Nursing classes and getting better test scores then I did before. Be proactive, don't wait until you have failed many tests and are barely getting by to get help. Go in knowing your weaknesses and get help right away.

Again, tell yourself you CAN succeed, you WILL succeed, that you are a SMART person and you CAN do this. Go to your school information desk and find out where to go to get help!

I wish you the best of luck.

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