Need Encouragement

CuriousMe · Jul 5, 2009

You missed a B by two points.....it's very doable to make that up on your next two exams. Go through the exam you just took (and your other old exams as well) and analyze what you need to do differently...maybe make an appointment with your Prof to get their input on what you need to focus on.

Use this to spur you on to work even harder (and smarter)....don't beat yourself up, just figure out what you need to do differently! You can do this!!

cursedandblessed · Jul 5, 2009

worrying doesn't do much, but draw your focus away from what you have to do. fluids and electrolytes can be difficult, so start studying now. i haven't had patho and med-surg on renal yet, but i've had at least one patient each clinical this summer with renal failure so i've started reading up on it in my lippincott's manual of nursing practice.

if you have test reviews go to them. if i get below an 85 on a test (a mid b) i go to them, to find out the rationale for the correct answer. some of my final's have come directly from the tests during the rotation, so if i find this helpful.

NurseKitten, MSN, RN · Jul 5, 2009

You can do it...you ABSOLUTELY can do this.

Start by getting your book, and reading the sections and chapters you'll be tested on.

Go online and see if any colleges or universities have their powerpoint out there - sometimes seeing things from a new perspective helps.

Good luck. You CAN do this. Keep studying.

Oh, and I would have danced a JIG if I had kept an 83 average in grad physiology. By the time it was all over, I just wanted to pass...but I guarantee you I know, understand and can apply the stuff. Grades don't always reflect knowledge.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jul 5, 2009

Yes, you can do this. I can't believe 83 is a C. Wow, I just got a 84 on my last exam and was estactic ! Anyway, just keep your eyes on the prize. All you can do is your best and God will do the rest. just keep on prayin and studyin.

avidhunter3 · Jul 6, 2009

I got my results from my exam yesterday. I got a 83% which is a C. I studied really hard for this exam, and some of the ones I missed I knew. I have a 85% B average now in the class. We have one test and the final left. The only bad thing is it is fluids and electrolytes for the next test, and the final is renal. I am just terrified. It takes a 78% to pass, and I am afraid that I will get down to the end and not have enough points. I have been so depressed since I got my grade. This stress is getting to me I think. I just pray I make it through this summer. I just ask for you all to pray for me that I make it through. Thanks.

Try your best not to stress, as thats likely to make it worse for studying! I will tell you like I tell my sister ALL the time (she is in the program already) You have NO choice but to make it, you have came this far and there IS NO turning back now. Tell yourself you ARE going to learn this and you sit down and study your butt off until you get it! Get someone to read flash cards to you ( I had to help her with that as well! ) Dont worry about the "what if" part of the equation, just focus on today, and as of today, your passing and still in the program! Put your big girl panties on and get to studying!

blynn9173 · Jul 6, 2009

Thanks for all the replys. They have really gave me a boost of confidence. I am going to make it!!! I will keep every one posted on how I do on the fluid and electrolytes exam. Thanks again.

AggieNurse2B · Jul 7, 2009

I'm in the same boat. Well, I'm in the pathophys boat. First nursing school class. I'm sitting on an 80 average and I DON'T want to make a C in my very first class! I have my final on Friday, and I need a 78 on it to keep my B. I have studied until I'm blue in the face, and I'm so frustrated because I feel like I know the material much better than what the test grades reflect. It would be different if I came out of the test thinking that if I would've studied this more or that more, I would've made a better grade. I honestly felt really good about the test I took today, and I made a 77 on it.

I'm so distraught over this whole thing that I wonder if I'll be able to get through these next two years. I've GOT to figure out how to take these tests!

Suggestions welcome.

NurseKitten, MSN, RN · Jul 7, 2009

Go online and google pathophysiology exams. Many universities will post their exams a few years after they're used. It helped me to identify where I was still weak.

Where is your knowledge gap? Are you not understanding the material or having a hard time figuring out the question? Does the professor try to "trip you up"?

Have you tried taking and turning all the statements from your book and notes into questions?

These are things that helped me survive the Pathophys Class from HELL last year.

AggieNurse2B · Jul 7, 2009

I feel like I have a firm understanding of the material, but the questions are tricky. I find that most of the time, the questions are even beyond the realm of what the textbook covered or they ask a question about a very specific detail that was mentioned. There are some "critical thinking" type questions, which I do okay on, but the tests are from the test bank that came with the textbook, which would probably be fine except that the textbook STINKS! McCance and Huether. It goes into so much more detail than the lectures, and then the tests hone in on very minute details from the text. It's hard to get it all to stick.

Plus, there's a lot of information in a very short period of time. It's a 5 week class, and we've had no fewer than 5 chapters per test. Five tests. The final is Friday, and I'm just praying to see the light of day on Saturday!

I appreciate your suggestion. I think I'll do the google search tonight and see what I come up with.

CuriousMe · Jul 8, 2009

I feel like I have a firm understanding of the material, but the questions are tricky. I find that most of the time, the questions are even beyond the realm of what the textbook covered or they ask a question about a very specific detail that was mentioned. There are some "critical thinking" type questions, which I do okay on, but the tests are from the test bank that came with the textbook, which would probably be fine except that the textbook STINKS! McCance and Huether. It goes into so much more detail than the lectures, and then the tests hone in on very minute details from the text. It's hard to get it all to stick.
Plus, there's a lot of information in a very short period of time. It's a 5 week class, and we've had no fewer than 5 chapters per test. Five tests. The final is Friday, and I'm just praying to see the light of day on Saturday!
I appreciate your suggestion. I think I'll do the google search tonight and see what I come up with.

I have to say, we use that same book and I love it. I love the level of detail, they really get down to the cellular and biochemical level. I hate texts that gloss over the how's of things....like it automagically happens. Knowing the detail really helps me to remember.

AggieNurse2B · Jul 8, 2009

The prof is a cellular biologist, so that should explain a bit!