SOOO Much Reading! Any tips?!

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ok... i am taking my first "official" nursing class this semester. i enjoy the reading we've had so far, because it's something that interests me soo much and it's what i've worked soo hard to finally get into this bsn prgrm.

i feel like i am starting to fall behind on the selected reading:uhoh3: . we get between 5 to 8 chpts to have read prior to attending class. my problem is i read everything... and i know there is another way ( maybe?) to get through the reading, retain the info., and get the main points. i feel like if i dont read it all i might miss something that might be on an exam! any help and advice would be soo much appreciated.:bowingpur

just to note... i started reading the title of the paragraphs... and reading the summary of the chpt in the back along with the questions. is that enough though?

thanks!!!;)

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.
ok... i am taking my first "official" nursing class this semester. i enjoy the reading we've had so far, because it's something that interests me soo much and it's what i've worked soo hard to finally get into this bsn prgrm.

i feel like i am starting to fall behind on the selected reading:uhoh3: . we get between 5 to 8 chpts to have read prior to attending class. my problem is i read everything... and i know there is another way ( maybe?) to get through the reading, retain the info., and get the main points. i feel like if i dont read it all i might miss something that might be on an exam! any help and advice would be soo much appreciated.:bowingpur

just to note... i started reading the title of the paragraphs... and reading the summary of the chpt in the back along with the questions. is that enough though?

thanks!!!;)

i have found that reading the summaries and then managing my time in order for me to read the assigned readings has been very helpful. usually, what i do is read the learning objectives, make notes of them, and then read the main points and then make notes on them. afterward, i do the review questions that follow every chapter and i find that doing that has really been of benefit.

unfortunately, the amount of reading will only increase from this point on. the only sound advice i can give you is to read the summaries, learning objectives, do the review questions, and after all that, go to class and just listen. usually, the prof will give more tidbits and extra notes for you to go back and read all of the chapter and sections. however, i have found that after i do my little routine, it makes the reading of the entire chapter a lot less monotonous and much more interesting because i know a little bit of what i'm reading and i'm not completely ignorant. just find a way to manage your time, find as many shortcuts as you can before class, and then find the time to re-read and proofread the things that you either skimmed or overlooked.

good luck!! :D

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ok.. thanks for the feedback.:) i actually have done some of that, with regards to listening to the professors lecture, and based what was discussed go back and focus on that with the reading.

thanks again.. i will definitely incorporate some of this.

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I skim the chapters prior to class. I make sure to read the summaries at the end, and check out the tables because they tend to compact tons of info into those tables. Then after class if I'm confused on something I'll go read more carefully. So far so good.

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Specializes in NICU.

I am very pro-reading and it has helped me out a lot. I know that not everybody can get all the reading done, but try to get as much done as possible. I am not much different than the typical busy student, I have a full-time M-F job of 40 hrs/week, am a mother of two little ones and I have a hubby, I also do a little bit of volunteer work, so I am just as pressed for time as the next person. However, what I do is I take my text everywhere with me - and I mean EVERYWHERE! I read on my breaks at work, on my lunch break, if I'm waiting for something and in my car, while my kids are playing in the living room, whatever. I never miss an opportunity and somehow I manage to usually get all the reading done.

Don't know if this helps you much, but it is what I am doing and it seems to be working. I just really advocate for always having your book, that way you are never missing an opportunity - even 5 minutes of reading will get you that much farther ahead.

You can do it, just take it one step at a time and don't try to look at the whole thing, otherwise it will seem too monsterous to complete.

Anyway, that is just me and I am big about keeping my grades up high.

Best of luck to you!

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Do target reading..............go over your powerpoints or your notes against the book, pay attention to charts, words in bold, nursing assessment and interventions. Pay attention to what your instructor mentioned in class while reading the book.

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wow.. thank you alll for the tips. i guess i will eventually come up with a schedule.. i myself only have one 12 yr old daughter and a husband, i suppose its also a matter of acquiring good reading and study skills now pertaining to the nursing courses while juggling family life. but i feel a bit more confident now that i have received some great ideas and positive feedback. what a breathe of fresh air. and sarah.. ur right i take the book everywhere already...lol. i will take note of every bit of advice!

mave, future l&dnurse, sarah and future nurse.. thanks!!!!!!!!!!:wink2: :thankya: :bow:

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Specializes in NICU.

You are welcome! Best of luck and just remember, you can do it!!! :)

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[banana]I can do it!! I can do it!! I can do it!! [/banana]

Thank You!! I'll keep telling myself that!

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Specializes in NICU.

Me too - LOL! :D

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Specializes in ICU, MedSurg, Medical Telemetry.
ok... i am taking my first "official" nursing class this semester. i enjoy the reading we've had so far, because it's something that interests me soo much and it's what i've worked soo hard to finally get into this bsn prgrm.

i feel like i am starting to fall behind on the selected reading:uhoh3: . we get between 5 to 8 chpts to have read prior to attending class. my problem is i read everything... and i know there is another way ( maybe?) to get through the reading, retain the info., and get the main points. i feel like if i dont read it all i might miss something that might be on an exam! any help and advice would be soo much appreciated.:bowingpur

just to note... i started reading the title of the paragraphs... and reading the summary of the chpt in the back along with the questions. is that enough though?

thanks!!!;)

skimming has been amazingly useful for me. or reading over the book when i actually get around to studying for the test. if you did all the reading they wanted you to, when they wanted you to, you wouldn't have time to eat, sleep, or breathe...

skimming has mostly worked. in my first nursing class, my instructor was utterly convinced that i read the book before class. would've loved to, but i never was able to keep up with much more than skimming.

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franciscangypsy,

thanks for the tip. i need to get myself accustomed to the skimming. i agree there is too much to get done in teh time frame they expect. even my professor suggests options as well. she actually wants us to post in class evaluations at the end of the semester a course on how to study and read the nursing material for those incoming 1st semester nursing students.

thanks again for the tips...

(i'm still telling myself....

[banana]i can do it!!! i can do it!!! i can do it!!![/banana]

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