what study habits help you?

snuggy · Feb 21, 2006

I always do the practice problems/questions at the end of each section/chapter, no matter how well I already know the material. It can be tedious and time-consuming, especially if you already feel comfortable with the material, but I have found that it helps me tremendously.

Have you tried studying in a group? I have a hard time in group study, personally, but I know a few people who also have a difficult time making themselves study on their own. They have found that studying in a group helps them to focus better, so that may be something to consider.

Sunshine0425 · Feb 21, 2006

I try to study a little each night, and not be overwhelmed when it comes time for the test. I always study in the evening when it's quiet, and sit down with a cup of coffee. Another thing that helps me understand lecture better is to read the chapter the prof will be going over, before class. For me the thing that keeps me motivated is the competitiveness getting into nursing school. I HAVE to get good grades.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 21, 2006

Cramming is always a bad idea.

No more than a 60 watt bulb in the lamp.

If you're supposed to wear glasses, put them on.

Voice recorders are great for lectures.

Don't sit there for hours studying, you gotta take a break now and then. And try to take that break outside, fresh air is good for a revive.

droopy1592 · Feb 21, 2006

Pay no attention in class and cram the night before the test.

Always works for me but people say it doesn't work in nursing/PA/NP/CRNA school. You need to read and know it like you have a test the next day, every day!

JTinSC · Feb 21, 2006

I'm not sure how your teachers are but mine already have notes for you to print out. I will preread the notes before class and even though it might not be as clear to me, it will make more sense once the teacher goes over the material that day in class. Then later in the day, go back over what you went over in class. Since my teacher gives us the notes, I always rewrite my notes several times and as I'm writing I try to understand what I'm writing and not just copying.

I'd also suggest actually learning the physiological concepts of the body, not just remembering things. It doesn't take much to remember something, even parrots can do that, but can you apply what you've learned? The best way is to learn "why" things happen the way they do, don't just memorize the information.

You say you might be lazy, well that even happens to me some of the time, and I also get out of the groove, or just burnt out. The things that help me in these times is thinking about my future and the things I'll be able to do once I'm finished with school. I might go look at houses I'd want to buy and cars I'd want to drive. This gets me back into the "damn i better study if I want to make something of myself" attitude. Its materialistic but it works for me. Just think of things you will accomplish in your life because of finishing nursing school, and I am sure it will help you get back into the groove of things.

joshuaclay · Feb 22, 2006

Pay no attention in class and cram the night before the test.

this works for me too, but only to get a good grade on the test. when i try, days later, to recall the information, it is lost. when you cram, you usually lose the info as fast as you learned it.

i have had a lot of success with flashcards. also, for anatomy, it is helpful to print un-labeled pictures of the different systems and etc., and practice labeling them. for physiology, i agree with JTinSC, that it is best to make sure you understand WHY things are happening. a metacognitive approach is best for a&p.

i never stop studying anything until i can fully explain it to someone else. if you can TEACH it, then you KNOW it! it's also a good idea to keep notes and flashcards from previous chapters and "check" yourself periodically throughout the semester to see how much you are retaining. you never know when you might need some of what you're learning! :coollook:

stpauligirl · Feb 22, 2006

Hi, I just wanted to know what study habits do you use that help you the most. (i might decide to steal them):roll
The story behind me is that I have a hard time getting in the studying groove. I guess I'm lazy! I'm in the 2nd part of anatomy and physiology. I am good at studying for the lab material but when it comes to learning the textbook stuff, I get lost. I guess the lab material is easier since you can actually see what you are learning and there is a specific answer(something you don't have to go digging in the books to find if you are lucky!)
Thanks you guys!
capribry from Norfolk, VA

I usually get the study guides that accompany the text books. It helps to filter out the important stuff and helps apply the learned material in different ways. The multiple choice questions in these guides usually help me get used to how a teacher might ask questions on the tests. It was a life saver in the anatomy course. Some study guides are better than others but I never had one that was completely useless.

crb613, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2006

Fear.....that is what gets me to studying......I think about how awful it would be to fail......works for me.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Feb 22, 2006

Money's also a good motivator. I think to myself "I ain't paying for this **** class again, i'm passign the first time around."

tharris1970 · Feb 22, 2006

Hi, everybody. I'm new here.

In response to your post, here's what I do. I'm in A & P right now, but this works for any class;

I first just read the chapter. Then, I go back through it, and read it a second time--but I also write down eveything that is important in the chapter.

I draw pictures of everything, such as cell structures, bones, or organs. drawing seems to help me remember the exact shape and location of a body part much easier than just reading about it.

Doing it this way takes a little longer, but I usually ony have to look over my notes a little the night before in order to do well on a test. I've managed to keep up a 4.0 average so far.

NaomieRN · Feb 23, 2006

I do better in the lecture than the lab b/c my lab professor does not really teach, so basically I rely on the lecture to help me in the lab. I make connections between the lecture and the lab and study them together. I spend alot of times in the lab usually on Saturdays using my test book to help me make the connections. For example, if you doing the heart, you can bring your test book, go to the lab, check out the heart model to see how the blood flows to the body. That's what I usually do. I have an A- in the lab and a A+ for the lecture so far.

If you cannot connect the two, you not going to understand.