how do i study? self motivate myself? be disciplined? more assertive?

Suethestudent · Jun 9, 2010

1.Just imagine how you will feel if you fail and what the future consequences will be. Remember what made you embark on the program of study and try and recapture that initial enthusiasm.

2.Change where you are studying... if you are home then go to a public library where there is no TV/home related distractions. Also stay off caffeinated beverages if you are unable to concentrate/focus/settle down.

3.Studying is the only way to succeed so buckle down and get through it. It sucks but it until they invent data implants for the brain... it's all we got.

As Nike say.... Just Do It.

Nika Nazaire · Jun 9, 2010

hmm... that's one of the dilemma of being a student.. You were about to study,.... minutes,... hours had passed, and you'll end up reviewing just half of the papers you were supposed to read or just some of it.. hmm. if that's the case. . I think you have to set your priority first, settle, focus, and concentrate.. think of nothing else but your coming exams,. manage your time, set a goal that you have to finish your work by that specific time.. However if you're not in the mood, . motivate yourself to be in condition,. ^^,

dorisc1981 · Jun 9, 2010

Take some mock practice test online and see what you get. You might be surprised and that will be a wake up call. No one can push you but reality. So every so often check your progress online if you can and remind yourself not to procrastinate.

vena cava · Jun 9, 2010

Just do it! Be sure to relook at old quizzes since some teachers recycle questions. Reading over and writing out the important stuff a bunch of times helps me to learn.

katebean04 · Jun 9, 2010

I know exactly how you feel. First things first, is get rid of all distractions if possible. I usually put my cell phone on vibrate and put it in another room. If someone really needs me they will call my home phone number. I try and stay away from the computer, because when I go to research something online I get tempted to check my email or go on facebook. I also try and make a to-do list for each day on what I need to cover based on what I don't understand. I test myself, review flash cards, and usually I reward myself with a little goofing off if I get through my list. If it is something I am not interested in, that bores me to death- I go to the library or lock myself in my room and force myself to read it and understand it. I usually have to talk myself into doing these things by saying, "I don't have to like it, but I have to know it." Sometimes you need breaks in between study sessions as well, but set a time limit on how long you can spend away from your books. I have kids, so I set a timer, and tell them that I can play until the timer goes off (if I have a test coming up).. and I do this for how long I can spend on the computer, or watching t.v.. Good luck, find something that works for you and run with it. :)

TDCHIM · Jun 9, 2010

How do you study, motivate yourself, and become more disciplined? You just sit down and do it.

I'm not trying to be rude or flip - I actually mean exactly what I said. Studying habits are the easiest of the above issues to address. Different people study in different ways, so you need to identify what works for you and what your definite study no-nos are. For instance, I study better in large blocks of time; if I break things up, I end up distracted and I don't retain the information as well. That method wouldn't work well for the majority of students, but it's an absolute necessity for me. By now, you probably have a good idea of what gets you into trouble when you're studying, so do everything you can to avoid your distraction triggers.

As for willpower - you're on your own! There just aren't any shortcuts to self-discipline. Until you make up your mind to study, it won't matter what anyone else has to say. Some people are born with perfect willpower, but most of us learn through (sometimes bitter) experience. The drive to stay intent on your work for long-term gain in spite of more attractive short-term alternatives has to come from within you.

Good luck on your final. :)

casi, ASN, RN · Jun 9, 2010

I'll be honest I have the attention span of a goldfish. In order to make myself study I had to set study goals with rewards. I would tell myself that I had to study for a specific time. Normally I picked 20-30mins and then I'd give myself a small reward. My rewards were 10 minutes on the WiiFit or 15 minutes on World of Warcraft, or maybe I'd go bake something.

Scheduling my distractions helped a lot.

I would also suggest that if you are at a point where you can do NCLEX questions use them. It's a good alternative to reading.

Zookeeper3 · Jun 9, 2010

I honestly do NOT know how you feel, I had massive student loans, three babies and we were simply broke and struggling... so that was enough for me.

Those that didn't want it enough, didn't get through it. Maybe that can be an incentive?

allnurses Guide · Jun 9, 2010

Imagine how you will feel flunking out. Go into great detail. Picture knowing the very moment your classmates are being pinned - and you aren't there. Picture telling your family "I failed". Picture all the wasted time, the wasted money. Picture NOT getting your dream of becoming a nurse.

When you give in to the restlessness, anger and burnt out feelings, you are making a choice. You are chosing to gamble on failure. You won't be able to say it just happened. Or that someone was mean and flunked you. Or even that the material was too hard. Your honest, deep inside reason will be that you were too lazy. Don't be that person. This is 100% within your control.

LuvCinci · Jun 9, 2010

Try to jazz up your studying any way you can- break the monotony!

One thing you can try is to use brightly colored flashcards. I know this may seem silly, but it may add a little snazz. I have been through quite a bit of schooling, and one thing that was paramount in encouraging continuous motivation to study is changing up HOW I studied. For awhile, I may re-copy notes and reheorifice in my head. Then, I may switch to flashcards. One of the best methods I found was verbally rehearsing and "teaching" my pets. Just make sure no one else is around for that one :)

Finallydidit · Jun 9, 2010

It basically comes down to You either want it or you don't Its not just gonna happen by magic. No one can do it for you! and You shouldn't do it for anyone else. You have already invested time into it, so either finish the race or stop running.

As a nurse, your education will never stop, there will always be new things to learn. Be it proceedures or policies, there will always be something.

So I would start by asking myself Is this what I want to do? If you answer is yes, then tell yourself why you want it, what does it mean to you and answer honestly. Soul searching is usually a great motivator in decision making..

Are you in nursing school, because it is your Dream to be a nurse? or Are you in nursing school because it is someone else's dream for you to be a nurse?

Good luck to you