Students who have the summer off: Do you study anything or brush up on past material?

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I completed my Fundamentals clinical course in December, and was supposed to move on to take the next level clinical course this past spring but I didn't pass my pathophysiology course so I spent this spring retaking it and thankfully passed it. I'm off this summer and will be taking my next clinical course this upcoming Fall (Humanistic Nursing Care of Adults).

My question is, how many of you spend your summer brushing up on previously learned stuff so that you don't forget everything by the time you start up again in the Fall? I feel worried that I'm going to forget the stuff from Fundamentals and have a really tough time in the Fall when I take the next level up.

What does everyone do here during their summers off?

Thanks

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Have 6 chapters to read this summer for l&d course and clinical plus have 8 chpts for dosage exam in August....so no summer brain drain here.....I've already started the reading and working on dosage calculations......

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Have 6 chapters to read this summer for l&d course and clinical plus have 8 chpts for dosage exam in August....so no summer brain drain here.....I've already started the reading and working on dosage calculations......

How about when you don't have any exams due or any assigned things, do you still study or brush up on your own?

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I'm an information hoarder. Seriously. I keep all my notes and everything. During the summer I will usually go through my notes and read them once or twice. Only takes like an hour, and once I read them I think "wow I still remember everything!" It's usually just for peace of mind though. If you would feel better by reviewing - go for it! It won't hurt!

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Specializes in Tele.

I have not done much of anything for this first month off but I will probably start looking through notes and start reading before too long. The last semester was really draining so I wanted to get nice and refreshed.

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There are two things that do during the summer as we have 4 MONTHS OFF :o First, I have a study group that meets every three weeks. The best way to learn something is to teach someone, so in these study sessions, each participant prepares a 15-20 lecture on a topic the presenter is not clear on. For example, I did my last presentation on Acid/Base balance, by the end of it, I understood it COMPLETELY and I help a couple friends in the process.

The second thing I do is, my program costs included access to Prep-U which is a test bank of 10,000 practice NCLEX questions. I do 30 questions a day MINIMUM on various subjects. If you don't have access to a bank like these, there are plenty of free question on the internet, or purchase a book. When I miss a question, I will take 5 minutes and go research it.

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Specializes in Oncology, Critical Care.

I still have a year before i take my NCLEX but ive already started studying for the boards. The summer and winter breaks are times to continue studying and refreshing on the material.

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

I said I would, but I have yet to do anything school related so far.

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I'm an information hoarder. Seriously. I keep all my notes and everything.

Me too... But the difference between you and I is mine collect dust...

But you never know when you will have to look back at something.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

The summer between first and second year (ASN) I spent working as a nurse intern. Any free time that summer was spent reading books and enjoying my free time since I sorely needed that mental break! Study a little bit, but take time for yourself so you don't start the next school year already burned out!

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I emailed our block 2 instructor and asked her what we could read to get a jump start and she gave us a list.

I'm in a 5 week summer A&P II class so I'm not bored just yet. I have a patho book I'm going to read after it's over as well as the recommended reading.

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Yes I still study because summer brain drain not only happens to school children but it happens to adults as well....the old adage is true....if you don't use it you lose it...and have no time at beginning of next semester for review....professors expect you to have a handle on the basics and if you are not on the train you are on the tracks and that is not a good place to be

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