Study tips for the fact/memorization based classes

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I just got through my first round of exams sans Pharm (that's in 2 weeks) and I'm a little disappointed with myself. I got a 73 on my Skills and an 80 on my Patho exam, while I got a 94 on Health Assessment and a 98 on Fundamentals. Studying for Fundamentals and Health Assessment were a breeze and I really like doing the critical thinking stuff, but when it came to recalling fact for Patho and Skills, I had a hell of a time. I know Pharm is similar to Patho and Skills in the fact/memorization department and was wondering if anyone had a similar experience or could help a girl out? I definitely think I studied more and harder for the exams I didn't do so hot on and they were all evenly hard exams.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

I make flash cards for lab values and definitions, signs and symptoms of diseases, basically anything that doesn't vary too much. I just flip through and put the ones I answered correct in one pile and the wrong ones in another and do this over until they are all in the right pile. Then I start all over again. I study like this in 30 min parts then go and do something else for a little while then I'll go back to the flash cards.

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Specializes in ICU, currently in Anesthesia School.

Repetion and time- in other words-marinate rather than cram.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.
Daytonite isn't really a nurse. She's Google in disguise. :bowingpur

Ha! Ha! I actually know most of the stuff. I just post the websites to make it look legitimate! :typing

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Ha! Ha! I actually know most of the stuff. I just post the websites to make it look legitimate! :typing

Not to mention save your fingers from being typed to nubs!!

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Specializes in ED.

FLASH CARDS, FLASH CARDS, FLASH CARDS ARE THEY WAY TO.!! I have used them thoughout nursing school and nothing else. I make everything into a flash card and study that way. you are looking closely at the material when you are writing them which helps it stick in your brain and repitition is one of the best wasy to learn. I found this flash card program for your laptop if you have one at www.flashme123.com I have used them since my first semester after getting hand cramps. They have a 2 week trial and you can print them out from there if you would like.

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Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.
FLASH CARDS, FLASH CARDS, FLASH CARDS ARE THEY WAY TO.!! I have used them thoughout nursing school and nothing else. I make everything into a flash card and study that way. you are looking closely at the material when you are writing them which helps it stick in your brain and repitition is one of the best wasy to learn. I found this flash card program for your laptop if you have one at www.flashme123.com I have used them since my first semester after getting hand cramps. They have a 2 week trial and you can print them out from there if you would like.

I can't seem to get the link to work. Was it maybe a .org?

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

I endorse the use of flash cards.

Put them on a ring and carry them with you. You'll find little 5- and 10-minute spots throughout your day where you can rip through a few of them. The key to memorization is repetition.

I also make "audio flashcards" that I put in my mp3 player and onto CDs to listen to in the car.

Also, try to review your flash cards in your mind, without looking at them. It helps things to sink in and set.

Make sure you know your terminology and the word roots.

Make up mnemonics. They don't have to make sense, they should just be what comes first into your head. For example, when I was learning functional groups in organic chemistry, I used "Mary Eats Peanut Butter" for methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, and butyl-. It's a ridiculous mnemonic especially since I don't know anybody named Mary. It was, however, the first one into my head for whatever reason. Here I am 13 years later and I still remember it.

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