Is it wise

BoonersmomRN · Aug 21, 2007

You actually have the time and capacity to study a week's worth of material in advance? God bless ya!

I study what I am learning this week- this week. What I need to know and will learn next week- will come next week.

There is just too much ( last semester) and it comes too fast to stay a week ahead....as it is I have to go back and re-read/learn things from past semesters....getting ahead? LOL that's a dream that will never come to fruition.

SA2BDOCTOR · Aug 21, 2007

Exactly my point. That is why I am just focusing on the present week only. I just wanted to know, if I was not the only one. Because some people indicates that staying ahead is a great thing. I can't understand how it is done effectively tho. :uhoh3:

Sillynicunurse · Aug 21, 2007

I also have to focus on the week at hand...if I try to read a week ahead I tend to get all of the info confused:uhoh3:.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2007

you need to be aware that some people are very competitive. they get their jollies by playing these little games with people. they like to present themselves in a better light than everyone else. it is a game of one-upmanship and intimidation for them. they are making others their willing or unwilling victims of intimidation. don't fall for it. these little games are designed to elevate their self-esteem, because they are insecure to begin with, and to deflate yours. just keep plugging along and keep up with assignments and don't worry too much about what these kind of people in your class are doing. you've got enough stress. if you need advice or think you may be behind in your studying, go to an instructor and ask for counsel and advice. they'll be honest with you. don't forget to take advantage of internet resources to clarify the things you are currently learning if you have extra time. many times reading another viewpoint on the same subject helps to cement the concept into the little gray cells. if you want a list of general resources i can e-mail you a page of links. if the time does come that you have the opportunity to read ahead--enjoy.

SA2BDOCTOR · Aug 21, 2007

Daytonite you are the best :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2007

I used to live and work in KC, MO, kiddo. I have no intention of letting you fall through the cracks, if I have anything to say about it! Hang in there. You are getting an education in a great area of the country.

RNStudent123 · Aug 21, 2007

Hi SA,

My suggestion to you would be to take each lecture at a time. Many instructors assign tons of reading each week and don't even cover it in the lecture for that same week. Yes, you should read everything that is assigned to cover your bases, but trying to get ahead and cramming in too much information is a waste of time and energy. Eventually you will learn how to pace yourself according to what your instructor's pace is in class. I hope that helps...

RNStudent123

SA2BDOCTOR · Aug 22, 2007

Thank you for your suggestion.

Hi SA,
My suggestion to you would be to take each lecture at a time. Many instructors assign tons of reading each week and don't even cover it in the lecture for that same week. Yes, you should read everything that is assigned to cover your bases, but trying to get ahead and cramming in too much information is a waste of time and energy. Eventually you will learn how to pace yourself according to what your instructor's pace is in class. I hope that helps...
RNStudent123

bekindtokittens · Aug 22, 2007

Great advice from Daytonite and RNStudent 123. And KC, MO was my home for eight years, I miss it sometimes...everything but the humidity!

I hate that feeling of competitiveness and one-upmanship. I just make sure to have all the reading done before that particular lecture. That way all the material is fresh in my mind and I can easily find anything I didn't understand, or was specifically stressed, from lecture in the textbook, because it is what I've most recently studied. I'd confuse myself if I was reading a week ahead of lecture topics.

MikeyJ, RN · Aug 22, 2007

I tried studying ahead when I first started, but that never worked out... so 2 weeks into the semester I scrapped that idea. There are many uber competitive students (as Daytonite stated) who will always be on top of their studies and have studied one, two, or even three weeks in advance.

There is one area that I try to do a few weeks in advance, and that is writing papers. I hate waiting until a few days before a paper is due to write is, thus I am always on top of my papers. Whenever I find spare time, I will start writing a paper that is due (even if it is due in a month). I would rather have that paper off of my back now instead of waiting until the last moment.

Don't worry about staying ahead of your studies -- very very few students are able to do that. Just keep current with your classes and you will do great! Good luck! :)

SA2BDOCTOR · Aug 22, 2007

I agree with the paper writing part :) great idea!

I tried studying ahead when I first started, but that never worked out... so 2 weeks into the semester I scrapped that idea. There are many uber competitive students (as Daytonite stated) who will always be on top of their studies and have studied one, two, or even three weeks in advance.
There is one area that I try to do a few weeks in advance, and that is writing papers. I hate waiting until a few days before a paper is due to write is, thus I am always on top of my papers. Whenever I find spare time, I will start writing a paper that is due (even if it is due in a month). I would rather have that paper off of my back now instead of waiting until the last moment.
Don't worry about staying ahead of your studies -- very very few students are able to do that. Just keep current with your classes and you will do great! Good luck! :)