I suck at studying!!!!

bethin · Feb 19, 2008

Ugh, I'm still dealing with it. I never cracked a book in hs ten years ago and made A's and B's. I've been in college for ten years (yes, ten) and I still don't think I've conquered it.

What helps me is to stay organized. I have a dry erase board that I set up every week on Sundays with that weeks assignments and what needs to be read. I read every chapter twice. The first time I read it straight through. The second time I read more slowly, writing down things that stump me. Then, I go through that list and reread those parts until I understand it. I often use the internet as it seems to break it down better in lesser words than those wordy textbooks. I use other books besides those that are required to learn. When I took anatomy, I had four or five books. One was required, but others were ones that I picked up because they dealt better with cardio or neuro than our required textbook.

Whatever you do, don't give up!

dmaccnursing_student · Feb 19, 2008

I think it's hard for everyone to adjust to college studied. I still have trouble studying and I've been in college for almost 3 years. I agree with the above post that organization is necessary. What I find most important is to schedule when I'm going to study for each day of the week. BUT, during the time I have scheduled to study, I go some place to do my studying so then I don't get distracted by other things or think "I can study later, I really want to go do this". Library, school bench, restaurant (yum Panera!), or any place really will help get you away from distractions and once you are there, the only thing you have to do is study :)

Just keep organized, use a planner, and you will be fine. I LOVE making flashcards and retyping my notes as well.

Happy studying!

FutureRN87 · Feb 19, 2008

Thanks so much for the replies! Having a dryerase board to get everything scheduled sounds like a good idea. I think retyping notes will really help too it takes me forever to type so that will be a good way to study.

RN2B25 · Feb 19, 2008

I graduated with BS in 2003 and went back to school Fall 2007 and I was scared as well. I was feeling anxious and nervous about not being able to handle it. I'm taking A&PI right now.

The first thing I do is pray that during my study time I will be focused and that I will use the time effectively and productively. I also pray that I have a brain that's a sponge to absorb all the information I need to know and that God will guide me to focus on the information that I need to know and the info. that will be on the exam.

I recommend you read: How to Get Straight A's by Gordon W. Green, it's excellent book.

Go to every class, focus while you're in class and ask questions. Read the material before you go to class so that you have an idea of what the prof. will lecture on. Schedule daily study time and stick to it.

I have lecture and lab on Saturday. I read the chapter that he will lecture on the week before. Saturday after class and Sunday I spend time doing flash cards on the information (lab and lecture). Monday I spent time re-reading the information. Tuesday I spent time writing notes on the chapter. Wednesday I spent time with the flashcards and going through them and the book. Thursday and Friday I can spend time re-reading the chapter, flashcards, e-mailing the prof. questions etc. This really helps me learn the chapters and become very familiar with the information. This helps me to not cram the week before the exam, but to learn the material as I go instead.

I'm taking one class at a time, If you have other classes you may need to plan accordingly.

Hope this helps:lol2: