MANE program study tips

[xlogit3k]

I have talked to a couple people ahead of me in the program and many say that the tests are very hard in both Nutrition and Fundamentals of nursing which are the 2 required nursing courses in MANE 3. Does anybody have insight on study tips or anything in general to keep in mind? How do you study for these exams?

[ShelbyaStar]

So I just took my first test in fundamentals and did well. I may be at a different school than you because I'm not under the impression nutrition will be difficult- the teacher seems to really want to help us do more thinking and projects than worrying about tests. I hope that's the case at least, ha.

The first thing I do is read the readings. Dur, but this is something a lot of people don't do. I have two monitors at home, so I have the text (we have Pearson e-text) on one window and quizlet on the other. As I read I make flashcards out of the important terms, even if I already know what they mean.

Now, terminology will not help you that much on the tests. They are nearly all situational and need critical thinking, not just spitting out a memorized term. However, I find this helps me with two things- it makes sure I'm paying attention while I'm reading (I have ADHD and this is a struggle, I also frequently read aloud to myself) and as I go through them later it triggers memories of other things I read. I didn't go through my flashcards a lot, I just made them and then went through each set on learn once a couple days before the test for a review.

Next thing I do- go to class. If possible I take notes directly on the powerpoints. I take notes on an ipad so I use google docs and sometimes it's easier to just open a word-like program (or just do this on paper) and add my notes that way. For each new slide I skip a line and put an X in front of the title of the slide to signify to myself later which slide corresponds with which notes. I don't write what's already on the slides, I add on things the teacher said or my own clarifications. I then go home and open powerpoint, add my notes into the slides, and then print out the presentation.

This sounds like busy work and a waste of time but again this is all about building those triggers in your brain. If I add in these little things said in class, I can remember the lecture better. Going back to rewrite the notes reviews things too. Ideally I like to do this the day after lecture so that I'm jogging my memory but it's still fresh. Right now we are just doing fluffy theory type stuff so it's not necessary, but in the past with other classes I've also sought out diagrams and helpful pictures to add to my notes.

In addition to that, I practice review materials. Testing yourself is the best way not only assess your knowledge but to gain it. If you get an answer wrong in practice and read the rationale and understand it, you will have a much better chance of getting it right if you get a similar one on the test. We have the Pearson bundle that includes modules to practice with, and I went through all of those as well as some of the ATI practice questions. If you don't have these products, at least get an NCLEX practice book and work through some questions relating to the subjects that you're going over.

So yeah. That's what I did. I did readings before class, rewrote notes after class, did the practice modules, and then went through my stuff on quizlet. It sounds like a ton but really I probably average about 2 hours of studying outside of class, and I'm taking A&P partially online as well.

It doesn't apply to this material but for things like physiology I find it really helpful to have a dry erase board to draw pictures of concepts like blood flow (or put the notability app on your device and draw things over and over). Also looking up youtube videos for the general picture and that can often be extremely helpful.

Biggest thing is don't get behind! Review as you go and find outside sources to simplify or deepen topics.

We have learning guides with questions. I have tried to answer the questions as well as the objectives or at least think about them, but they aren't always easy to answer so I didn't sweat those too much.

Like I said I'm not under the impression that nutrition will be an issue. Most of it is review and I have been just doing those readings while on the elliptical at the gym. Will do more studying for that as the test draws closer but right now it's not a priority.

[xlogit3k]

We have nothing from pearson, all of our books are elsevier. I'm not sure why our books would be different if we are in the same program?...

I have my first fundamentals exam next friday and I have already been preparing by taking notes on the readings, reading all of the assigned chapters, and completing online practice tests on the chapters that Iv'e read. Where are you taking the program?

[ShelbyaStar]

I'm at Century. I think there's a few things they do a little differently. MANE has guidelines but the program's still aren't exactly the same. I think we also do service learning while others don't?

[xlogit3k]

We have a service learning project where we have a group that goes to an under served community and then does a project on it.

Our MANE program only allowed 16 students in Fall semester and only 16 students this spring semester. I think they are expanding next time around for this upcoming fall semester to allow 24 students.