I noticed alot of you have 4.0's. Do you have kids? I just dont understand how you do it. Are you up all night studying or just genuises???
I do ok I have a 3.4 but come on, BSN programs want a 4.0- the competition is stiff. Of course minimum prereq GPA may be 3.0 but thats not whose admitted. The school Im applying to gets 350 apps for 50 seats and is on a GPA ranking selection. So they automatically admit all 4.0's. I still have Stats, Micro, and Chem to take- so I want to know how are you guys getting A's???
This stuff is hard, and with small children and a household to run on top of that is even harder. I need some insight here.
Okay, first off...I'm a 4.0 student and I have 4 kids and a not so great marriage. My kids were 2, 5, 8 and 10 when I started (3 years ago)
I have used many different methods...depending on the class.
I always write my notes by hand, if I have to turn them in, then I'll type them up from my handwritten notes. I think the more ways you input the information, the better able you are to retrieve it. Especially Microbiology. (and nursing )
I used flashcards for A/P I, II, III as well as using my notetaking.
I have a digital recorder, I record all lectures (especially now in nursing school)...our syllabus (about 500-600 pgs) covers everything that is covered in lectures, I listen to the lectures while going through the lecture material, take even more notes and read all the text (I probably spend easily 20 hrs a weekend to study for a test on Monday)...I go to bed at a decent hour. I never miss a class. I've taken classes in so many different ways...online, on campus, hybrids, accelerated, individualized study, a telecourse, condensed courses - where you go Fri night and all day Sat x3.
When I first started, I started slow - only 2 classes. With alot of my pre reqs, I'd take one easy, one hard class. One online, one on campus. I take all the tests on the textbook websites, print them off and use those to study from as well.
I ALWAYS sit front and center in class. I always do all the extra credit offered.
With meds, make flashcards with ALL the information I will need on them...esp peak and duration (esp important with insulins and those with a low theraputic index) Also very good when studying A/P - the endocrine system sucked.
Buy extra texts besides the ones required, more sources of information.
The only study groups I've really done were RIGHT before the exam...sometimes other classmates have better ways to remember what you may be having trouble with. AND it's fresh in your mind because you JUST talked about it. Acronyms work well
Our school uses a point system, so many points for grades earned in certain classes (Psychs, Sociology, A/P's and Micro especially, writing, Computer Science, Social Science, Humanities) so while you don't have to have a 4.0 to get in...one B in those important classes can make or break it for ya.
So, that's what works for me...still have my 4.0 even after my first term of Nursing (along with another class-13 credits this term)
My school had interviews but they really were almost a joke. From what I heard it was the 1rst semester they held interviews and the guy who did them really didn't ask me anything too personal. Basically about my goals, looking at my transcript, etc. I only have 50 credit hours at this particular campus...but 18 from another...so I don't know...like I said all schools are different.
As far as Fun2Care..I know her school set out letters with the cut offs. Mine did too ....but only in the rejections- my friend had a 3.5 and didn't get in. The cut off was 3.67
1) Sit in front of the class to keep down distractions.
2) Study until you feel you know it cold.
3) Recopy notes.
4) I make up tests for myself, or fill in the blanks. I copy about 5-6 of them and take them over and over until I get at least 95% of the answers correct.
5) Get enough sleep and exercise.
6) Don't stress over getting an A: there is always SOME nursing school that will take less than a 4.0!
I always find it unique how people are about seating:). I ALWAYS sit in the back row- I always have. But I know plenty who always sit in the front row:)
A-MEN to this. Well I can't say I exercise( I should - ha ha) but getting a good nights sleep is A-1 in my book.
Never cram. Cramming usually does not work. Stay on top of things so the night before a test you just look over things and PUT IT DOWN AND GO TO BED!
The day of the test I rarely, if ever, look at notes and only if I really am uncertain about something- like essay questions. I try to wake up, have a GOOD breakfast, and go take the test!
Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.
I do the same!!! The more you practice the better you do on your EXAMS. Please also treat each of your classes individually, if you know that you are weak in one subject, and better in another, study more for the weak class. A balance in your studies is good, and you'll be able to perform well in your classes.
Specializes in Medical-Surgical-Ortho-Neuro-Agency.
My secrets to a 4.0:
1) Sit in front of the class to keep down distractions.
2) Study until you feel you know it cold.
3) Recopy notes.
4) I make up tests for myself, or fill in the blanks. I copy about 5-6 of them and take them over and over until I get at least 95% of the answers correct.
5) Get enough sleep and exercise.
6) Don't stress over getting an A: there is always SOME nursing school that will take less than a 4.0!
This is nice, especially 1) Sit in front of the class to keep down distractions. You are more focus, and can pick up good TIPS from the professor when lecturing. Those that sit in the back are missing that, even the professor's body language.:)
This stuff is hard, and with small children and a household to run on top of that is even harder. I need some insight here.
-Jasmine (hopeful Nurse Practitioner)
To be honest, I really don't know. I don't study any more than my classmates do - in fact, I'm pretty sure I study less. I'm never the best clinical student, either, but our clinicals don't affect our final grade - just whether we pass or fail. And I'd much rather be the best in clinicals than the best at taking tests.
The only thing I can think of that I do that some people might not is writing everything, and I know that's already been mentioned. I don't mean writing it once or twice, but again and again and again. I'll write out procedures, drug names, definitions...anything I need to remember. I don't make flash cards or anything like that - just copy it over and over on scrap paper and then throw it away.
If I do this right before going to sleep the night before a test, even if my mind is wandering and I don't really think it's doing me any good - when I wake up in the morning, the information is just sort of crystallized in my mind and seems perfectly clear.
I do the same bedtime routine, Devi. I love how my brain works on things while I sleep. Sometimes when I wake up in the night to roll over, lists of things I am memorizing will be running through my mind.
I really think you can over study. I always go to class, no matter what. If the instructor thinks it is important enough to talk about in lecture then it is probably important enough to be on the test. There is no way you can know it all.
skislalom
115 Posts
Okay, first off...I'm a 4.0 student and I have 4 kids and a not so great marriage. My kids were 2, 5, 8 and 10 when I started (3 years ago)
I have used many different methods...depending on the class.
I always write my notes by hand, if I have to turn them in, then I'll type them up from my handwritten notes. I think the more ways you input the information, the better able you are to retrieve it. Especially Microbiology. (and nursing )
I used flashcards for A/P I, II, III as well as using my notetaking.
I have a digital recorder, I record all lectures (especially now in nursing school)...our syllabus (about 500-600 pgs) covers everything that is covered in lectures, I listen to the lectures while going through the lecture material, take even more notes and read all the text (I probably spend easily 20 hrs a weekend to study for a test on Monday)...I go to bed at a decent hour. I never miss a class. I've taken classes in so many different ways...online, on campus, hybrids, accelerated, individualized study, a telecourse, condensed courses - where you go Fri night and all day Sat x3.
When I first started, I started slow - only 2 classes. With alot of my pre reqs, I'd take one easy, one hard class. One online, one on campus. I take all the tests on the textbook websites, print them off and use those to study from as well.
I ALWAYS sit front and center in class. I always do all the extra credit offered.
With meds, make flashcards with ALL the information I will need on them...esp peak and duration (esp important with insulins and those with a low theraputic index) Also very good when studying A/P - the endocrine system sucked.
Buy extra texts besides the ones required, more sources of information.
The only study groups I've really done were RIGHT before the exam...sometimes other classmates have better ways to remember what you may be having trouble with. AND it's fresh in your mind because you JUST talked about it. Acronyms work well
Our school uses a point system, so many points for grades earned in certain classes (Psychs, Sociology, A/P's and Micro especially, writing, Computer Science, Social Science, Humanities) so while you don't have to have a 4.0 to get in...one B in those important classes can make or break it for ya.
So, that's what works for me...still have my 4.0 even after my first term of Nursing (along with another class-13 credits this term)
~T