"Over studying"

kmlnielsen · Aug 18, 2012

I think there is a difference between busy work and actually studying. I see people doing a bunch of stuff, but not learning the material.

allnurses Guide · Aug 18, 2012

Hi everyone,
I am curious to your opinion on whether or not you think that its possible to "over study". There are some people that I know that tell me that I may over study sometimes but I didnt know that was possible. Also, how many hours do you usually spend per week studying?

It's my belief that in a profession where other's lives are in your hands, you can never be over prepared.

It is possible to over think exam questions, but a strong physiological and biochemical understanding as well as nursing actions won't lead you too far astray.

dsf43 · Aug 18, 2012

I think you can over study. As in, if you study for like 8 hours straight and you're studying because you know you need to study. You eventually reach that point where the information isn't sticking anymore, but you're still studying because you know you have to and want to get it done (which is a waste of time in the long run). Yeah, I consider that over studying and I am guilty of it. That's why you have to take breaks or else you're studying becomes a waste of time.

Stephalump · Aug 18, 2012

I overstudied last week, actually. I spent about 8 hours hacking away at statistics right before a 2 hour statistics test and my mind was completely fried by the time I started the test. I got a 30%. I've never gotten a 30% on anything in my life.

I would've been better off waking up, NOT studying any more, and relaxing before the test. Maybe doing a little memory jogging, but that's about it. Sigh.

EmarosaNYC · Aug 18, 2012

I think it's possible. I went a whole month in where i would study around 25-30 hours a week ( not even counting breaks which would then add to around 40 hours). After that month the next 3 months hard since my mind just couldn't handle it and i started studying maybe 15 hours a week.

I think we all need to find a balance between studying and having fun as well when you're not; to refresh the mind.

thenameismac · Aug 18, 2012

I used to think there was such a thing as overstudying. Here's how I learn: I read every part of every chapter in every textbook every semester...at least in the beginning of the semester. I would take extensive notes on what I read. I'm not really an auditory learner so sitting in lecture wasn't too beneficial if he/she just read from a powerpoint. I was better off reading the textbook, take notes, read the summary, take notes, read the powerpoints, take notes, and whatever supplements I had. This is very time consuming. I started looking around at the other people in my class and noticed how they had tape recorders or they would say they only studied the powerpoints and go A's. My method got me A's too but mine was taking 3x as long. So I stopped "overstudying" and would listen in lecture, read the powerpoints, and save hours upon hours a day. My grades dropped from 90/95 on exams to 60/55.

My point: Find what works for you even if it is time consuming. I am just now realizing I don't want to know what's on the test. I want to know the information. I don't want pick out the right answer. I want to know it before reading the options. I still get jealous that others can study for just a few minutes a day and really "know" the material while I have to really read and understand what I'm reading but it's the way I'm programmed. Not everyone is the same. What one considers overstudying is another persons version of understudying.