Study tips for exams? NEED HELP ASAP!!!

[ambereyes1987]

I am a new nursing student going through the second stage of nursing through a LPN-RN program at the college I am currently residing. I failed my first mental health exam, and that was my own fault because I didn't study enough. However, I studied really good for my Med-Surg exam earlier this week. I feel however I will not do good on this one, just because there was material on there that I did not see during lectures or lab. So I have the feeling that I am going to be failing this one as well.

I am freaking out because there are only two exams and the then the final to make up for the the bad test grade on both classes.

I am desperate for studying tips, ad how other former nursing students got through these types of exams. Especially if a professor did not go over something in lecture???

I have done the flash cards and whatnot, but I don't think that will be enough. That is why I am asking for help. I am desperate. I want to get at least a B+ on my next exam, just so that way it can make up for my bad grades.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[Halcyonn]

In my experience, what is covered in lecture is typically a general overview for what will be on the test. But, you can use that information to devise a study plan.

You might find it helpful to review learning objectives/outcomes that are in the related chapters of your text. If you understand those concepts, that is a good starting point. Whatever you are studying make sure you know what is "normal" and what is "abnormal" and then know WHY! Definitely take advantage of any online resources attached to your texts. And, practice NCLEX questions related to the content you're studying.

Try to break up the material so you don't get overwhelmed. Set small goals (eg. today I will review chapter 12 and do 25 practice questions) so you don't get overwhelmed. Good luck to you!

[bravera]

Everyone's learning style is different, so I really suggest finding what yours is as soon as possible. Here is an assessment tool that can help you discover how you learn best: http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

For me, flash cards never worked and were mostly a waste of time. The vast majority of my studies come from assigned texts and online research. The night before lecture, I sit down and read the assigned readings for the content--no notes, no highlighter, nothing. I just sit and read it, regardless of how much I'll retain. Afterwards, I attend lecture with a printed copy of the powerpoint or whatever is being presented in class and take notes from the lecture onto it. As soon as I have time post-lecture, I re-read the chapter with the notes I took in class with me, filling in any gaps in content that I missed in class, did not fully understand, or that the lecturer did not cover in class. If there's a concept in the book or lecture that I still don't understand, I look to alternative online resources, whether it be wikipedia or supplemental animations/reading supplied by the text provider.

Does your professor supply you with lesson outcomes? Being able to answer those for each chapter is a pretty good indicator that you'll do well on the exam, most of the time. If you aren't supplied with any, look for questions listed at the front or back of each chapter in your text or look at the publisher's site, since some of them (such as Lippincott) have downloadable lesson outcomes for each chapter on their website that come free with your textbook.

Hope this helps!

[NursingGirl0726]

I make a study guide from the power points that my teacher give out during the lecture. By the time I leave class I have a study guide with her notes and anything she said during the class. Then that night I add notes from assigned reading and print the study guide along with any visuals or case studies they provide. I don't usually practice questions this semester but I did last semester in the back of each chapter and it helped a lot. Then I study everything the same way each time so that it is very repetitive and less overwhelming.