Need information on some good studying tips!

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I am a first year nursing student and i have a problem, my last three tests that i have taken i've failed them. The average to pass must be a 76 and right now my average in each class is 70 & 72. I start studying the material a week before each test and i feel confident about knowing the information. i read over the powerpoints,outline chapters and i write and rewrite because that help's me retain the information. i spoke with one of my clinical instructors and she told me a RN NCLEX review book will help me to read into the questions and apply the information and she also explained to me that the information on the tests is getting more into depth. Can somebody give me some advice on what will make me a better student? i have given up to much to fail nursing school.:bluecry1:

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Definitley use the NCLEX review book. I have always taken my notes and turned them into flash cards as well. Get some index cards and write a question on the front and answer on the back for all my notes. Writing the material out again helps as well.

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I second picking up the NCLEX study guide. I also recommend picking up any of the books in the reviews and rationales series. They have helped me immensely. When I have to wade through a load of reading, I break it down into manageable sections. Sometimes these means cutting chapters into five or six parts. I read one, grab a snack or whatever and then go back.

I've also found that if I do some work/reading each regardless of when the exam is I tend to think about the info more because I'm constantly immersed in it. I also tend to learn well from the old school rote method of learning. When learning fluids and electrolytes, I wrote the values of each over and over and over until they finally stuck. To remember the signs/symptoms and causes I made a nmeunoic which was kind of fun to do because I related everything to stuff I enjoyed like sports and gaming and stuff. Even just making the nmeunoics was fun helpful and fun because it was liking making a code that only I could understand and again, it kept me thinking about the material. Best of luck.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

if you can't afford to buy a nclex review book, ask another student if they would xerox the few pages from theirs that gives the answering strategy. it is only a few pages long and usually in the first sections of these books. see the information on these sticky threads:

you can download and print this out. you might also find it helpful when studying diseases: critical thinking flow sheet for nursing students.doc

these sites post free nclex prctice questions:

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Specializes in Corrections.

I liked this thread from another member here who gave tips and ideas that they use.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/how-i-take-test-get-337651.html

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I found last semester that the Straight A's series have really helped me and have brang my grades up hugely. I personally have a problem of getting too far in depth.

Once I read the unit in my textbook I then read the appropriate pages in the Straight A's book. It helps put things in easier context for me, and it truly highlights our syllabus almost to a T.

One of my peers purchased Pediatrics and Maternal-Neonatal and she told me she feels her grade has increased because of them also.

They are written by Lippincott Williams and you can find them on Amazon used cheaply.

Good Luck to you!!

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I found last semester that the Straight A's series have really helped me and have brang my grades up hugely. I personally have a problem of getting too far in depth.

Once I read the unit in my textbook I then read the appropriate pages in the Straight A's book. It helps put things in easier context for me, and it truly highlights our syllabus almost to a T.

One of my peers purchased Pediatrics and Maternal-Neonatal and she told me she feels her grade has increased because of them also.

They are written by Lippincott Williams and you can find them on Amazon used cheaply.

Good Luck to you!!

What is it called?

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Specializes in Hospice/Palliative Nursing.

I always use NCLEX questions and do all of the questions (if they have them) in the textbook. If you books came with cd's they are helpful, too.

Always try to read the chapters before lecture so you'll have an idea of what to expect. This is good prep so you can ask questions to clarify info, also.

Use to write my notes but d/t cramping in my hands I now just type them. Typing works great when getting ready to study for finals because I can cut and paste just the info I need for my "review".:typing

Note cards have not been helpful for me in NS...always used them before but not working for me now.

Some people record themselves reading the chapters and listen to them while driving, at kid's ball games, etc.

I read my typed notes every night before I go to bed. Nothing real in depth, just skim. Sometimes that works against me because I dream about what I've read! :chuckle

Good Luck

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Try understanding what you are reading rather than strickly memorizing is key to success. I agree with the others about getting an nclex book; however, I think nclex books are better when you start taking med surg classes. In fundamentals, there are way to much information and you may not have time to do those questions. That was my experience.

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