do you have to read to make good grades?

LadyK82 · Jan 10, 2005

In my program, if you don't read, you don't pass. The majority of the material comes from the book and a lot of our courses are independent study so we have to depend on the text book for the test info. Our instructors are also very big on pop-quizzes and will give you a quiz over material we haven't had lecture on yet. So, I would encourage reading, but I guess it depends on the way you're specific program is set up & your personal study skills.

Rhoresmith · Jan 10, 2005

I skim read the chapter before the lecture and then go back over the material AFTER I have heard the lecture on that section. I feel this serves 2 purposes, makes you familiar (at least a little) with the material before the lecture and cuts down on the amount of reading to a more managable level (you can only comprehend so much at one time) I graduated in December, basically had B's (no C's at all in nursing courses). I tried in the beginning to read word for word and had more trouble that semester than any other.... I always look at the chapter highlights and/or the questions at the end of chapter or at end of each section. Also pay close attention to boxes and charts lots of material there that is important. Good luck

loriangel14, RN · Jan 10, 2005

My teacher will discuss the assigned reading the next class and ask questions so if you didn't read it you won't be able to answer the questions she asks you.She figures out pretty fast who didn't do the reading and she's not happy about it!

I have class mates that claim they never do the reading but it always catches up with them. I always do my reading but if it's boring stuff I break it up into small reading sessions.

RedSox33RN · Jan 10, 2005

I skim the reading also, but will study in-depth the material not covered completely in lecture.

I'm lucky in that the bulk of our material comes directly from the lectures, and the lectures are interesting. At least, last semester they were! I imagine my way of studying may not work as well for Med/Surg 1 as it did in Fundamentals. Fundamentals seemed a lot to be based on common sense and stuff I've learned along the way as a mother. I don't think the rest will come quite so easily! LOL

FocusRN · Jan 10, 2005

This is simple, I can go without reading. So yes I can get good grades without reading. But just because one person can do it doesn't mean that another can.

TristateRN · Jan 10, 2005

I also feel it depends on your instructor and your own learning style. I personally do not read 99% of the time. I skim through answer questions in the back of chapters and use my notes and lecture tapes. So far I have maintained a 4.0 so it works for me. Others may need to read everything in order to do well or their school may test straight from the book, which would require reading.

ZootRN · Jan 10, 2005

I read everything assigned, even if it means staying up nights long without sleep. Beside 4.0 GPA, it gives me some confidence in regard to future board exam, because only boards will make you a nurse, not a particular subject tests, and not passing grades.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2005

For the first half of school, the instructors all tested off of their lectures. So if you study your notes, you can get an A. So I would only read a particular section if I wanted more info on a certain topic.

For the second half of my time there, administration decided the students weren't reading enough of the texts, so they changed things around and then the instructors HAD to include some questions that weren't covered in lectures but were in the book. It ended up being that the best you could score was a B if you didn't do the reading, but an A if you did. So then I skim read through all the reading for my A. But I used to be the kind of student everyone hated because I could probably take the exam without ever studying, just listening in lecture and get at least a low B. Rereading my notes and skimming the reading a few days before the exam was enough for me for an A.

Altra, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2005

While I will be the first to admit that I don't always read every single page of all assigned reading (sometimes it's just too much) ... this thread kinda disturbs me.

Reading is for understanding, learning and internalizing the information. Not just for grades.

Someday when I'm ill, I hope I don't have some condition that my nurse found "boring" and neglected to read about. :stone

Cubby · Jan 11, 2005

This is a joke right? I certainly hope it is. :uhoh21:

Fern22 · Jan 11, 2005

While I will be the first to admit that I don't always read every single page of all assigned reading (sometimes it's just too much) ... this thread kinda disturbs me.
Reading is for understanding, learning and internalizing the information. Not just for grades.
Someday when I'm ill, I hope I don't have some condition that my nurse found "boring" and neglected to read about. :stone[/quote=MLOS]
Reading does help me understand the material better....lots of examples and stuff. But I do get tired and bored of reading some of ths material...what nursing student doesnt? Yes, it is part of our profession but the authors write as if the expect you to be a dictionary...big words galore! being bored with your reading dosnt necesarily mean that I will give inadequet care to my patients......it just means I'm human! It's tough to read 14 chapters of material for one class and you have other reading to do for other classes and papers and clinicals and a job or kids and things like that.Sometimes I am pressed for time or I am worn out or just plain bored but I read it anyway because I know it will help me. I was only asking for other peoples opinions on what worked for them.......so that maybe I can utilize some of there experiences when I read.....I think that perhaps you misunderstood me. But you're human! I feel that most nursing students at one time.........got a little bored reading their textbook.........I can't be the only one! :chuckle It's not that I dont want to learn or understand, I just get worn out!

jemommyRN · Jan 11, 2005

I definitly read to understand the material better. I don't want to miss anything that is going to be on the test. There was a question on the first exam last semester that I missed because I did not read that chapter. After that, I was like there is no way that they will ever get me again. After that, I started studying better and my grades skyrocketed. I do not feel as though I am completely compared if I have not read the chapter ( or at least all of the important parts)