need encouragement

Hang in there. A seventy feels like a train wreck believe me I know. Take a few deep breaths and evalute the situation. Make an appointment to check your exam. Maybe you made some easily remedied mistakes that dragged your score down. Above don't panic. You CAN recover from a 74. Make sure your study approach is focused on the course objectives and stick to it. That said be sure to give everything a twice over just in case. And finally make sure your mode of thinking is "Nursing". Try to get into the "hows and whys" more than the "whats".

Above all believe in yourself. DO NOT EVER GIVE IN, DO NOT EVER GIVE UP!

I know how you feel. I felt the same way starting nursing school. I was so used to getting A/B's before the program then had to accept getting C's. Don't worry so much about it though. Just keep trying your best and you will succed. I never thought I would get through it, but I did :wink2:

....and remember, nursing test are nothing like standard college classes. Well, in my experience that is. The first exam is always the "feeler" exam. And always, always, met with the instructor to go over the test one-on-one, and get pointers on how to study for the next one.

Its why they have office hours.

This was the first test. Nursing is an entirely different way of think, and it takes time and practice to learn. Have you using NCLEX style questions to help you study and understand the thought process. A book we use in my program is Test Success. The actual questions in it are not difficult. Its main purpose is to teach you how to approach the question and think through it.

Hang in there.

Life comes with highs and lows. Your request for encouragement shows that you are a person that wants to better herself and rise to the next level. I know you can do it.

I failed the 1st test last semester, and after reviewing it, realized I knew the information, I just wasn't reading the questions and answers the way you are supposed to. So I got an NCLEX review book and started using the test taking tips in there. Ended up with an A for the semester. It's the best advice I could give anyone.

Many students in my class recently received C's and D's. Few scored above 80. My point is: What is the class distribution? Where was your score? What did you miss? Can you find out who got the highest scores and ask them how they study?

As a nurse, we will assess and diagnose trends. In order to do this, we need to establish a baseline of data. From there, you can perform a diagnosis and plan. We don't have very much time to absorb a lot of information. Prioritize. Choosing interventions that are unrealistic or poorly defined will frustrate you. Like a nursing diagnosis, create a test performance diagnosis. You'll incrementally improve, and that will have to be enough. This represents your ability to cope. Be your own patient. If you can follow the nursing process for yourself, you'll make a great nurse. If not, then nursing might not be your thing. Before you give up, do your best. Discipline is often more important than brilliance.

Good luck.

Take a step back and figure out WHY you got a 74. Was it lack of knowledge? Or not understanding what the question was trying to ask? Did you study enough? HOW did you study?

What kind of learner are you? Do you remember things better when they are spoken aloud, or when you read them? This should affect your study strategies. If you learn best by hearing something, but are reading your book and notes - you're probably going to have a tough time. Try making a tape or CD of yourself reading the notes out loud, and listen to it as much as possible. If you learn best by seeing/reading, make notecards and review them whenever you have a spare minute.

Yes, the tests get harder - but your study strategies should mature as well. The exams I had my senior year of college were tougher than the exams I had freshman year, but I had a much easier time with them because by that point, I knew how to learn.

Good luck! If your school offers tutoring or other academic help, I would strongly advise making an appointment and going in. And as others have said, meet with your professor and figure out what you need to do to be successful.

I failed the 1st test last semester, and after reviewing it, realized I knew the information, I just wasn't reading the questions and answers the way you are supposed to. So I got an NCLEX review book and started using the test taking tips in there. Ended up with an A for the semester. It's the best advice I could give anyone.

What was the name of the book you got?