Please tell me your studying schedule.

[ONEGR8MOM]

When do you find the time to study, and approximately how many hours of studying do you do each night? Thank you.

[summersent]

right now I'm taking A&P I and intermediate algebra. I basically study as much as I can whenever I can fit time in. I always have my study guides on me and whenever I can fit in time, I'm doing math problems.

[romerog]

Would you pls. give me a hint. Take for example, cardiac. How do you do advanced reading/studies in cardiac. How to relate to delegation, patient education, and outcome attainment while caring for patient groups/nursing management.

I really have a problem on how to map my study structure to be effective in the course of the program (e.g. How to start, where to begin, structure and how to sum them up).

Quantity of time for study is one stint but quality study technique is another. Pls. help. Thanks for the above tips. They are very helpful.

[middleageNP]

Hi,

What worked for me....

I was working full time days, then going to school part time at night. Kids, husband, grandchild (all of us living together). My husband's grad school, daughter's college, son's high school, my nursing school, and an 8 month old grandchild that we all coordinated schedules so we could watch her too - it was a zoo!!!

I studied every day!! I had to. No choice. It wasn't like I could just study whenever I wanted, so I had to be very, very dedicated and organized.

I'd read the chapter before lecture, follow along in the book as the lecture progressed, then re-read once more in prep for exam. So by the time the exam rolled along, I'd have read the chapter 3 times!!!

Every morning before work, I'd get ready, then spend time-usually 1/2 to 1 hour. Usually the house was quiet, and I found that the little bites of studying added up.

I'd study at night too, until I dropped from being tired, and I missed all my favorite TV programs for 2 years - could not take the time to follow them...

Just picked up my diploma, and (pats self on back) received my degree magna cum laude - my only B was in pharmacology.

Good luck!!! Hope this helps!!!

How I envy you. I'm in a 11 mos BSN program and I study every night til I drop. I don't know what sleep is any more. And yet my test scores do not reflect the amount of time I spent. I went from a magna cum laude with my 2yr degree to a 3.2 in nursing. OOps change that, after my last two classes, I think I've been lowered to a 3.0 Half way through and I'm thinking of quitting. It is waayyyy too stressful to study and not knowing whether it does any damn good. :cry:

[SA2BDOCTOR]

How do you retype/print out your notes on the index cards?

I would read the chapters before the lecture. I would listen in lecture, as well as record the lectures (just in case). I would do all the test questions that came with the textbooks and visited subject matter websites.

I studied alone, as study groups distracted me.

I would retype any notes or handouts on index cards and print them out and review them before a test. Sometimes I would listen to the lectures before a test while washing the dishes or cleaning.

Calculate 2 hours of study time for every 1 credit MINIMUM. For example, my last nursing course was 8 credits. I studied 16 hours per week at home and probably another 6-8 additional for each test.

All of that got me an A-. Since I had to work and deal with my personal life in between, I was happy with this.

Keep in mind, I didn't always sit down continuously for hours to study. I made use of any free moments (which all add up). I always bring the textbook with me to the doctor's or dentist's office (usually good for a chapter or two). Sometimes I read 15 minutes here and there. I break it up so I don't get overwhelmed.

It has been working out. Don't cram. The information will stay with you if you pace yourself. It's a lot of information and you can adjust your studying to your lifestyle.

Good luck to you.

[MB37]

One of my big things is to switch subjects frequently so I don't get bored with one - read a chapter to pharm, take notes on a chapter of patho, do my ethical/legal module and quiz, work on pharm NCLEX questions, fill out a chapter of my patho study guide...and in between mix in a little allnurses time, some e-mail checking, and maybe do 30 min on my exercise bike as a "reward." It helps keep me from burning out on one subject. The day or two before an exam, I'll try to focus on that subject, unless I have more than one on the same day.

[momathoner09, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Not sure if this will help with an online course but anyway...

1. I listen to the lectures from class immediately after class or within the next few days if possiblle

2. I rewrite my notes and if needed look in the text for clarification

3. I write out each med on its own piece ( or pieces) of paper

4. I basically start studying for the next test immediatly after the previous one is over (i.e there is no break)

I think nursing is about studying more effeciently. Ever since I bought my recorder and started studying this way I went from failing to As and Bs! Hope some of this helps!