Studying habits

Focker, CRNA · Jan 23, 2007

Kind of surprised at this question, since you obviously made it through highschool and the prereqs of college well enough to get into a BSN program, but I will contribute. I can empathize with you in that its hard to keep your mind from wandering when reading dry material, no matter how much you actually want to learn it. I find that it helps if I make it more of an exercise. So, rather than just reading straight through, I look at my notes and for the first important topic, I find the pertinent reading on that topic and write questions that I think might get asked on a test and write the answer on the back of the card. I try to make them pretty broad so I can write less. This seems to keep me occupied enough so that I can get through all the reading without zoning out (for the most part), plus I think writing questions kind of solidifies it in your brain a little more than just reading. Reading short sections at a time is less fatiguing.

You may be tempted to join study groups, but I think they are inefficient unless your class has a truly gigantic workload given to you. Its impossible not to chat when you get together with more than one other person and it can be distracting.

Do not attempt to study at home, you will accomplish twice as much if you go find a quiet corner in a library and stay away from tv, computer, and attractive coeds. Bring something to drink, all the books you will need and a snack, plus coffee if you drink it, so that you can stay there for several hours (depending on how much material you have) and get in the zone.

Most important, stay ahead of the material that you need to learn. Every week you should read the assigned readings and at least be familiar with it. That way, the weekend before the test, nothing is new to you (except perhaps for the most recent topic) and you are reviewing rather than cramming. Cramming is stressful and you've got enough stress already.

Keep in mind that that is what I do now that I am in grad school, I was not as zealous in undergrad, so you can tone it down to suit your needs. Hope that helped.

shang36 · Jan 23, 2007

Although I am only in nursing school, I one day hope to be a SRNA. I am in my second semester of school and I have never had to study before, but my grading scale is pretty strict (100-94 is an A, 93-90 is a B, anything less than an 80 is failing) and I want to make the best grades possible. This may sound a little crazy but I don't know how to study.......I know read then re-read but everytime I start reading my mind starts thinking about what I'm going to do later. How can I overcome this, or are there other studying tricks that I am unaware about. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Phil

its okay to feel like this.everyone has this problem. first, focus on present.anytime, your mind wanders off just reroute your mind.take 10 min. break after each hour.drink lots of water. limit caffeine as it dehydrates and you loose your focus.exercise everyday for atleast 30 min.which would increase your focus by increasing blood circ. to your brain.all of us are aware of these little things but just dont pay attention to them unless heard from someone else.i was the topper in my all of my science courses. i used a good recorder to record lectures and listened to them while working out.made files and wrote my notes down.would go through previous notes for 15 min and then started with new ones.donot just sit down a night before exams.it would just stress you out more.