Study tips/Exam help!

Published

Hi all,

So today I had the first exam of the semester and I did not do well. Granted, I feel I certainly could have studied harder for this one especially considering I passed by one point last semester, but I definitely started studying earlier for this one instead of waiting til the last minute. I can honestly say that lately, including last semester, it seems like no matter how much I study I end up with a low score! For this exam this is what I did. I went to all classes and tried writing note cards during class, sort of thinking this would force me to pay attention during class (which is sometimes an issue for me)- it did and it didn't. I would sometimes get so involved with writing the note cards that I wouldn't be paying attention to what was being said by the prof. I read the book or at least as much of it as I could and I'm starting to think that might have been a waste of time. Then finally, I listened to our lectures on mp3 and went through the notes as I listened to the pre-recorded lectures, highlighting as I went through it. I went through the notes at least twice and there was a lot of material, Shock, Pediatrics, Ob/gyn, Women's health and cardiac pacemakers.

Any tips all of you in the community have that might better my method please enlighten me! I want to do much better my last semester and go out with a bang! Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If your book has learning objectives I would try to answer those and if you can't ...refresh your knowledge for those topics. That has helped me!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had the same trouble with nursing. I was an honor student in high school and had a 3.5 for 3 years of college. Got into nursing school and it was like slamming into a brick wall. Struggled my first and second semester. My third semester i got through 2 tests and was not passing. I was told about this guy who is a nurse and teacher who takes complex subjects and makes them fun and easy to remember. He made a song about cirrhosis which helped me tremendously. Finishing up my final semester

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I believe in trying a variety of methods. I take notes during class, read the charts & key points in the textbook, write concept maps and try to place myself in the situation when reading about how to care for a patient with asthma (example). I would assess for what, get this diagnose, plan for whatever, implement it through these actions and evaluate the effectiveness. I use Saunders and the questions in my text book as practice questions and read the rationales for each.

I hope this helps. Good luck this semester!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the posts!! I think that if I'm going to read the book, I'll need to do it in a timely fashion otherwise it's too difficult to try to read the book a few days ahead of the exam. That was probably mistake number 1. I should also go through my notes soon after class to reinforce the lecture, then try to do questions. I just want to see an upward trend in my exam scores and i'll be happy. Plus we're doing more babies/v*g*n*s this semester!! :cheeky:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a teacher tell me when I was struggling that it is best to study in short periods, take a break, then study, take a break and continue with this pattern. It has helped tremendously. She said it is counter-productive to sit and study for hours on end because you remember the first part and the last part and forget everything in between. My grades have gone up since I changed the way I study.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey jetsy62! I have a professor tell us the same thing...she said we should take a break every hour. I probably do that instinctively though. :cat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neurology.

study for an hour... take a half hour break listen to music workout do something you like and is relaxing set a timer then go back do this 3 times a day during your study time and the learning just happens

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.

I talk through difficult concepts, even if it's to myself. It's like re-teaching the material to someone else after I've read it, helps to reinforce it. Gotta do it in your own words, not just read it to yourself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Took a test Friday. Grade went up 11 percentage points. There might be something to this studying for short periods of time, breaking, studying, breaking. Now, if I only knew that from the get go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for this thread. I am also typically an A student but am currently failing my 2nd semester of nursing school. I did great on the first test and quiz but last week I bombed a test (D-) and today I straight up failed a Pharm test worth 30% of my grade. I've been in with the teachers and they tell me to re-learn how to study. I'm kind of freaking out because we have a test every single week. I'm going to try this and if you have any other specific tips for studying these vast amounts of material in 4-5 days in between labs & clinicals.. please share!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion