Massavie amount of info to study...How?

bear19kilosgirl2 · Jul 17, 2009

I am a tactiile/kinesthetic learner for the most part. I am having a difficult time figuring out how to process and work with all the information. I am not sure how to decide what is important or not. We are given power points with 3 slides on each page and about 50 pages per lecture. During the summer we have one 8 hour lecture a week. Prior to each lecture we are tested last week's material. I am not doing horrible but I feel like I could be doing better. I just read the power point over and over again. I tried flash cards but I was just rewriting the material on them and that was so time consuming. I am just getting overwhelmed.

What subject are you currently studying? Depending on the subject, there are hands on models and premade flashcards that can be very helpful and would save you some time because you are not having to rewrite things. You can also photocopy your power points, cut out the slides and attach them to flash cards which can also save time. There are books that follow closely with the subjects that you will cover that break it down in more common language so that you can get a feel for it. Books-a-Million and Borders carry quite a few here in my area and have a whole section devoted to Nursing or Medical subjects.

kayjay5478 · Jul 18, 2009

We are learning pediatric illness and immunizations

bear19kilosgirl2 · Jul 18, 2009

What specifically are you having problems with?

ZanatuBelmont · Jul 18, 2009

I am a tactiile/kinesthetic learner for the most part. I am having a difficult time figuring out how to process and work with all the information. I am not sure how to decide what is important or not. We are given power points with 3 slides on each page and about 50 pages per lecture. During the summer we have one 8 hour lecture a week. Prior to each lecture we are tested last week's material. I am not doing horrible but I feel like I could be doing better. I just read the power point over and over again. I tried flash cards but I was just rewriting the material on them and that was so time consuming. I am just getting overwhelmed.

You need to focus primarily on the nursing interventions, lab values, diagnostic procedures, typical medical management, and have a basic understanding of the pathophysiology relating to the issue discussed.

If you have 50 pages to study and only five days to do it, you need to study 10 pages per day and then spend 10 minutes reviewing what you learned before going to bed. Also, with powerpoint notes - you must remember those are "Skeletons." If the projector discusses a topic and lists one or two important facts, you need to go into your book and learn more about that topic.

kayjay5478 · Jul 19, 2009

Ok...ten pages in a day...I am going to try that. They give us everything we need in the power points and then we take notes as well. They dont ever test on anything other than that. I have the books but we never really need or use them for anything other than clinical homework or if I cant understand something. Thanks

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2009

I am a tactiile/kinesthetic learner for the most part. I am having a difficult time figuring out how to process and work with all the information. I am not sure how to decide what is important or not. We are given power points with 3 slides on each page and about 50 pages per lecture. During the summer we have one 8 hour lecture a week. Prior to each lecture we are tested last week's material. I am not doing horrible but I feel like I could be doing better. I just read the power point over and over again. I tried flash cards but I was just rewriting the material on them and that was so time consuming. I am just getting overwhelmed.

Nursing school IS time consuming! There are lots of threads on this topic, search for study tips. But I am an "A" student and here's what I do for what it's worth...

1. I read the chapters 3 times. The first time with a highlighter, highlight all the vocab words and define them in a separate notebook. second time, with the instructor and her power point, take notes on what she says, that's what will most likely be on the tests, the third time skim the night before the test.

2. Make flash cards of vocab and important points, like whats in the highlighted boxes in your books

time consuming yes, but that's the tactile kinesthetic learner part for you--writing it! Carry the flash cards everywhere and look at them all the time, in the car (at lights lol)

3. Do the workbook even if it's not required. Do the questions at the end of the chapter.

4. Get a NCLEX review book and follow along in that cooresponding to the chapter in your book.

5. Go online to the NCLEX review site and practice test taking from there. Your book may also have a CD that came with it or it may have a website where it will provide NCLEX style questions.

You have to put in the time, no way around it. NS has to be a #1 priority if you want to do your absolute best. I study at least 3 hours a day and that is a bare minimum, up to 5 or 6 hours. Good luck. Hope this helps.

suzi-Q · Jul 20, 2009

I agree with new in NY. Following along in an NCLEX review book is key. I suggest Saunders.

I also did the writing out of the flashcards. Yes, it is time consuming BUT if you are a tactile person doing the writing gives you "muscle memory". I am convinced that all that hard work was the key to my success. (And I have a ton of flashcards to show for it.) Keep plugging away!