Struggling with Fundamentals, any tips

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Hi everyone,

This is the first semester of nursing school, lpn program, and I bombed my first exam. I thought I was prepared and I studied for a good week and yet failed, 68%. I read the chapters, look over the notes, practice questions in the book and the older edition as well online, rewrite notes, and yet struggled. Can anyone give me some tips. Thanks in advance. Greatly appreciated.

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Hi,

Don't get discouraged, that is the first thing. You have to stay positive. What I do is do all terminology on index cards (flash cards), then anything the instructor says is important I do that to also. That way I can bring it with me anywhere I go and quiz myself. I have formed a study group of 3 of us and we meet 2 times a week which helps. I have a 50 min ride each way to school, so I just bought a digital voice recorder and am recording the items i put on my cards, this has helped as it is usally wasted time just driving. I think the more you hear it, see it and speak it you will remember it. Hope this helps

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Note cards, note cards, note cards. They help you memorize all the information you're bombarded with, and expected to know. Best of luck!

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Thank you all for your recommendation.

I usually don't do note cards and just have the terms printed out but I will try that. Maybe that's why the terms aren't clicking so well. I didn't realize how important they are. There's also an app for flashcards so maybe that will work.

Cindy that is a commute and I'm glad that you use your time productively. Usually I would have the terms on a piece of paper and glance. I will also look into a tape recorder. Someone also mentioned that it can be put on the iPod while I am working out or etc. Just a tip as well if you can manipulate it with the phone/iPod.

Are you guys both in the LPN Program as well? If so how's it going?

Just started joining the site yesterday :)

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I am in a LPN program. I don't mind the ride as much as I thought, I am sure that will change in bad weather. I find I need that break, well almost a break...lol... between 8 hours of class and coming home to 3 kids and 4 hours or more of studying.

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WOW!

I know what you mean about the break, hehe. Keep it up Cindy, I'm motivated by students who have a lot on their plate.

Do you mind reflecting on how you are doing in Fundamentals? The critical thinking is killing me and do you read the chapters? I read all the chapters and yet struggled. I here others who have passed without reading. I'm not sure if I should follow their advice and just review notes and listen intensively in lectures.

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I like the idea of voice recording while you drive. I started doing this while taking a human anatomy class and happy to say it worked I got a A. I'm not a nurse, but it worked for my ba degree in sociology. I too had to travel 50 miniutes one way.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

when I was in LPN school I would read the chapter and highlight while reading. Take a break and go back and reread the chapter while outlining. Take a break and go back and make notecards, that way I could always have my notecards on me, basically always studying. I felt that writing the info so many times really helped it stick. You have to find out what type of learner you are. A girl a went to school with would record herself reading the chapter out loud and listen to it constantly. She was an auditory learner. Once you find what helps you you will succeed. good luck! and don't give up!

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Thank you Tish & Ashley.

Ashley - Yes, I'm still in between the two types of learner, Auditory and Visual. I am actually beginning to do what you say before reading the post. I take breaks in between like 30 mins or so after an hour reading and highlight. Next I will look up the vocab and go over the book outlining. I usually finish it up with the questions of NCLEX style. I recently purchased "MyNursingLab" online reference to the book and it helped. I boosted my grade to a "C" and hopefully next exam it gets better.

I also heard about the book "Test for Success" in Fundamentals for nursing students. Is anyone familiar with that and some tips as well.

I'm feeling a bit more confident :)

Thank you.

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I used Fundamentals for success when in school and it helped a lot. I ended up with a high B in fundamentals. It is important for you to learn the concepts for the next phase. Study hard and stay positive.

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Thank you Latrice for your response. A high "B" is awesome. I will place my order early morning so it can help me with my next week exam and throughout the semester. I cannot wait to get a hold of it. I realized it is beyond memorizing.

Congratulation to students who are in the nursing program, whose looking into nursing, and the ones who graduated and are in their profession.

Stay positive.

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