how many of you actually read all the chapters?

[gearedup]

I'm in my first semester of LPN school. My grades are good, to be honest they are far better than I thought I could make. However, there are some that aren't doing so well. The teachers keep telling these students they they need to be reading and rereading the chapters to improve their grades. The problem I have with that is that most of the students that are doing well dont read the chapters, other than to just read sections to reinforce lecture and outline topics. Myself included. I started out doing all the reading and just barely passed at first. After I focused my studying and analyzing my test questions better my grades improved. How many of you did the chapter reading work for? It seems to me a waste of your study time. Or am I going to pay for this come nclex time?

[goldenanchor]

I read nearly all the chapters. We have so much assigned reading that while they request we complete all readings prior to lecture, I may have to prioritize reading and skim certain things to understand the gist of it well enough to get what I need out of the lecture.

But while actually studying for the tests, I reread each chapter, cross-check information with powerpoints and lecture notes and make flashcards and my own personal set of handwritten notes while I do that. Then, I study off my cards and notes.

[QuietRiot83, BSN, RN]

I read my lecture notes and go to the book for any clarification. We use PowerPoint slides and my instructors are pretty good about going in-depth on topics that are on those slides. Sometimes when I feel like we are just breezing through something (and for some reason this semester I have felt that way ALOT with Med/Surg III - Critical Care) I will go to the book. But mostly I do NOT open them...they just sit on my desk, waiting for me to give them some attention LOL.

[Summer Days]

I used to be a reader in my first year. Not Any More! I switched to reading my two nclex books and doing tons of nclex questions. On any given study day, I tackle anywhere from 50 - 100 nclex questions and type out all my rationales. Between Davis's Q & A for the nclex rn, Saunders comprehensive review nclex rn and incredibly easy nclex rn, I see a recurring theme of what's important to know and note it down. I use the main textbook as a supplement and watch youtube videos to reinforce concepts. I've watched my grades go up and I am very satisfied with that.

[duskyjewel]

I didn't read. It was pointless in my school. The test questions had very little to do with the text books.

Makes you wonder why they bother to make you pay for it, huh? Seems like academic malpractice. Either get a book that's good and actually use it, or stop requiring the students to shell out all that money.

[gearedup]

I mainly read only the sections that include material from the outlines/powerpoints and what we touched on in class. I'd say when it's all said and done, I pretty much do the reading eventually. I just don't see where the time is to read chapters before class! I have found that overall, the study guides that we purchased with our textbooks were a complete waste of money, other than the handful of nclex style questions. I started out working through them at the beginning, but didn't find they helped me.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

I NEVER read the chapter word for word. I would skim, and focus on tables, pictures and graphs. I do not learn by reading alone so it was pointless for me just to read.

That being said, active learning is the best way for students to assimilate new information. Things such as flash cards, researching a topic more because you don't understand it, and preparing outlines are some of the ways I actively learned in school. Instead of reading, I would take the chapter objectives found at the beginning or end of every chapter and type them out. I would them answer the questions, basically making my own outline or notes. This took way longer than just reading, but it really helped me learn the information.

Good luck

[Bjarte]

I actually read the chapters assigned (and by read I mean skim) but I also take handwritten notes while reading. I know this seems like a lot but I usually do some of it in class while somewhat listening to lecture. It seems to be working since the averages for both of my tests so far have been 70s and I've gotten As on both. If you think about it, professors are usually just regurgitating textbook material and providing examples and scenarios. I guess the important part is noticing what in your textbooks is "fluff" (which is the majority), and not double tapping content if you understand it. If you get it go on. A good thing to do also is supplement your readings with short youtube videos like khanacademymedicine etc.. Best of luck!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

I wish, that when I was in nursing school, I'd done NCLEX style questions to prep for my exams! I think, now, after having been through the real NCLEX pn that I'd done that!

I bet it would have given me the edge. Nursing school tests, At my school , did not match the content taught.