Slightly discouraged from grades

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We just completed our third exam of our first semester (ADN NU100) and although I haven't actually failed a test yet, they've been slowly sinking by several points each and now this last one was only 2 pts above failing (Nutrition, Repiratory/Oxygenation, Med Administration)...Is it natural for that to occur either due to topic matter getting more complex, losing 'steam' with my study habits (or both), or are all the test completely different and I may very well pass the next one with flying colors? I had hopes that this last test was going to be the one where I could really shine since I felt pretty good about what I knew:-(

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Specializes in Case management, occupational health.

From what I have experienced nursing tests get harder and harder because they build on the material you learned on the last test. You may be in your last semester and a test question will include something you should have learned from second semester. Nursing programs are designed to build on your ever expanding clinical critical thinking. Good luck with the next test

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I think you may have very well answered your own question. "Loosing steam in your study habits?" If you have to ask if that is an issue, you may already know you aren't putting in the same effort. You are still in good standing. Lock down and push through. You can do it.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

In my Peds Class my grades have been 76.6%, 95%, 76.6%, 95% 84% 76.6% and 95% and our final is Monday :|

My grades are so random, but I have terrible studying skills. I study for a couple of interrupted hours the night before the exam. I should be studying for the Peds final today since the weekend is the only time I have yet here I sit online and catching up on shows and playing with my daughter.

In Pharm I got B's and C's and then knocked out 100% on the final.

I have the craziest grade trends lol In my school 77% is a C so the 76.6 were D's and the 95% would be A's and the 84% would be a C

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Specializes in IMCU GICU.

Well. First you'd have to review your test and see if there is a pattern to what you got wrong. Determine if it is due to inadequate studying, shaky grasp of the fundamentals or w/e. Then you move forward from that.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

In our program the exam material becomes increasingly application based rather than knowledge based throughout the first semester, until by the last (final) exam, the exam is 100% NCLEX style questions. Yours may be the same. But I agree that it sounds like you already know you aren't studying at the level you were before. Of COURSE it is not predestined that you will do worse on the next exam. You know better than that! Work hard, finish strong. You can do this. If you are struggling with rationales behind the exam answers you got wrong, time to do some studying of NCLEX style questions so you read and interpret the questions correctly.

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