Suggestions for ways to study.

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.

I'm currently in my second semester of an ADN program. This semester we are each taking 2 mini-mester classes (8 weeks long) Right now I'm taking a med-surg class. We just took our first exam. I think out of 16 students, only 1 made a B and the rest of us scored in the mid to 70's to high 60's.

I find that I've been reading my textbooks as if they're a novel or short stories. My biggest issue is I'm not retaining the information. I'm not sure what kind of learner I am. I've tried listening to recordings and reading/following along with the recordings but nothing's worked. I've been in college since 2001 but took a year off in like 2006. I've barely had to study to make an A or B and now I'm finding I'm studying but the wrong way to barely pull a C. I'm currently in the process of being tested for ADD because I have a hard time focusing both in class and while trying to study which could probably explain my inability to retain the information.

I guess what I'm asking is if anyone knows of any techniques or study guides I could use to help me retain the information or break things down in layman's terms so that I won't feel like I'm just reading a bunch of big words that will eventually frustrate me bc I don't know their meaning.

I had started this semester with hopes of obtaining an A...not anymore.

Any and all advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated!!!

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I would do lots of practice questions. The rationales for the answers really help you. Also if you can't answer the practice question, you go into the text and find the answer, then you retain it! I would get Saunders NCLEX review, it has great questions. Lots of people like the Incredibly Easy NCLEX questions books.

Does your book come with a website that has NCLEX questions for each chapter? Those are great.

I think this Evolve website has practice questions, even if you are not using their books. https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/Satellite/StudentHome?Audience=Student

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This is my first semester in NS and this has worked for me. I read the chapter then let it digest for a few days. I then go back and outline the chapter, all hand written, noting all the main points. Writing it out helps me remember what it was all about, especially when I do it a couple of days after I've read the chapter. When I see something that I didn't quite get when I read it, I have an aha moment when I write it. Just a suggestion. Hope you find what works for you.:nurse:

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
I would do lots of practice questions. The rationales for the answers really help you. Also if you can't answer the practice question, you go into the text and find the answer, then you retain it! I would get Saunders NCLEX review, it has great questions. Lots of people like the Incredibly Easy NCLEX questions books.

Does your book come with a website that has NCLEX questions for each chapter? Those are great.

I think this Evolve website has practice questions, even if you are not using their books. https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/Satellite/StudentHome?Audience=Student

My professor suggested we use the Saunder's NCLEX review book. Lots of people used it to review and they still ended up scoring low 70's and high 60's on the exam. I just got a copy of the book so I'll try to use it for the next exam. We're using some new book published by some editorial board in NC... http://www.amazon.com/Nursing-Concept-Based-Approach-Learning-MyNursingKit/dp/0135078067

My professor thinks it's horrible so she suggested we use our ATI books but it just seems like the information we're being tested on isn't what she's telling us to focus on so I guess I just have to focus on everything. It's a bit difficult with me having to take the next 5 classes in 8 week long mini-mesters.

Thanks for the suggestions

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Specializes in GYN/GON/Med-Surg/Oncology/Tele.
This is my first semester in NS and this has worked for me. I read the chapter then let it digest for a few days. I then go back and outline the chapter, all hand written, noting all the main points. Writing it out helps me remember what it was all about, especially when I do it a couple of days after I've read the chapter. When I see something that I didn't quite get when I read it, I have an aha moment when I write it. Just a suggestion. Hope you find what works for you.:nurse:

I usually read and take notes at the same time...What you suggested makes sense. That way I'm reiterating what I've already read.

Thanks :-)

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Google VARK questionnaire and fill it out. Afterwards it will pinpoint how you learn best and give you tips on how to study. Good luck!

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