Stress, Study and Time Management

[tmostello]

I have for the past three years working toward getting into the nursing program and now that I am here I feel as though my regular study habits are not enough to sustain what is being asked of me. I use every free moment of my time studying however, I feel as though my grades do not reflect my study habits. The stress of this has overwhlemed me and now I am not sure what else I can do to increase my grades be better at my study habits and reduce my stress level. I am not failing thankfully I just do not like being so close to the margin and I just need to improve somehow, any suggestions?

[4boysmama]

it sounds like you might need to focus on studying smarter, not harder. What are your current study habits like? How do you study? What sort of learner are you (auditory, visual, kinesthetic?) Do you record lectures?

[shay&lynn, ASN, RN]

it gets easier!

i remember in first semester being super stressed, looking forward to 3rd semester which is where i am at now, i feel less stressed, i think that it is due in part to the 'bigger picture' coming together...starting out, there is so much to learn, nursing material is a whole different ball park along with the tests.

make sure that you don't just memorize, that you actually understand the content because you will use it the rest of your career.

[gatoraims RN]

it gets easier!

i remember in first semester being super stressed, looking forward to 3rd semester which is where i am at now, i feel less stressed, i think that it is due in part to the 'bigger picture' coming together...starting out, there is so much to learn, nursing material is a whole different ball park along with the tests.

make sure that you don't just memorize, that you actually understand the content because you will use it the rest of your career.

I agree. I think it gets easier. I am in my final semester and I love how everything is coming together. I also agree that it helps so much to understand why you are doing what you are doing. Or why things happen. It gives you a bigger picture and when you take the test slow down and think why would I do that intervention over the others. Test taking I like to cover up my choices and think about what the question is asking and try to answer it without looking at the choices. Or think about everything I know about the specific situation in the test question.

[tmostello]

Thank you for the the light at the end of the tunnel comments it gives me a sense of peace. The suggestions you have given me has been a true blessing. Thank you and good luck on your continued studies and your nursing journey.