Tell me how do YOU study.

J9G2008 · Jul 13, 2009

I have a big binder for the module for the class. The instructor either has us print out PowerPoints or they make copies for us. I write notes on the PowerPoints and highlight anything they say is very important. I study the module before I get to class, just to become familiar with the concepts. I DO NOT read the entire chapter of anything-TMI. I basically study the highlights presented in the module and the powerpoints-if that's what they've decided I need to know, that's good enough for me.

I don't tape lectures, because I learn from words on paper, not voices. I don't really use notecards either because all that info is already in my notes. The only exception to that was when we had to learn fluids and electrolytes. I needed to break it down to smaller chunks for that info.

So, when we had a test, I got a big plastic folder and pulled the notes out of my binder for just that material. I would carry that around and read, read, read.

Prettyladie · Jul 13, 2009

Thanks for the post. More, more more!!! I'm taking a mental note. I have little over a month left then on to nursing school. I'm really excited. Thanks again. keep going. keep posting =)!!

CuriousMe · Jul 13, 2009

Well that's a big question.....but I'll give it a shot.

I always read the assigned reading before class (if I'm short on time I at least skim through it looking at subject headers and bolded info, charts & graphs, etc). I read through it pretty quickly, if there's something I don't understand, I don't pause long, but jot it down. If I'm still confused after lecture I'll ask my Prof about it. I don't highlight or anotate for the most part....really I find that it just distracts me as I'm reading.

I use a tablet laptop for my notes (a laptop that also has a stylus that I can write on). I use Microsoft OneNote for all my notes. In OneNote, I have a notebook for each term, and a tab in that notebook for each class. If my prof has given us a powerpoint, I print it into OneNote and then take notes on it, if not then I open up a new page in OneNote and take my notes there. I record my lectures using my laptop and OneNote, so that they're synchronized (ie, when I go back to my notes and wonder what the heck I wrote, there's a play button next to it that starts the recording 5 seconds before I wrote that section).

As for studying, I go back over my notes at the end of the day filling in information from my reading or adding information re: things that, while in class, I had made a note to research more. I'll go back and re-read sections of the book that I'm having a tougher time with. I'm also a big notecard person.....but only notecards I make, the store-bought ones don't help me much. What I put on the notecards depends on the Prof. some really test on their PowerPoints word for word....for them I put my notes on notecards word for word. I create questions and then write the answer on the back. I also study by doing questions from NCLEX books on the topics we're studying.

There are other things I might do as well depending on the material. I drew out different heart rhythms, I made a table of all the vaccinations we needed to memorize that included all the info we needed to know (age of each dose, possible side effects, contraindications, live virus or not, etc).....so it depends on what I need to learn at the time.

HTH.

Peace,

CuriousMe

Prettyladie · Jul 13, 2009

thank you so much i really appreciate this.

happilymarried · Jul 13, 2009

congratulations on starting nursing school!

i stay organized with an expandable accordion folder with a band around it (i got it at wal-mart for like $7.00.) it has about 10 slots so i put each set of notes for each lecture into its own slot for that testing module and after the test i bundle all of it together and put it into a folder marked "test one," etc. then for the mid-term and final i have all my sections divided into test numbers and it makes it easier to figure out what to study. at my school they tell us on the midterm and final how many questions they will ask over each test module we have had. it makes it nice for studying purposes to keep track of what is more important within each section.

i try to read the reading assignments before class but sometimes i don't get around to it. our instructors post our outlines only a couple hours before class begins so i don't read over them before class. during lecture i will highlight things the instructor emphasizes and i will put a big star next to something i think will be on the test.

i study how ever i need to to learn the information. i have made flash cards, i have made my own outlines, i have made graphs and charts. i record lectures and then listen to them again while i read the outline. something i have learned that is much different from most prereqs is that in nursing school they do not give reviews for tests and they will ask questions that they did not cover in the lectures. any readings that they assign are fair game on tests so it is important to be familiar with all the reading assignments before the test.

the best advice i can give you is to pay attention to what works best for you and do that! there is a ton of information covered in nursing school and while the small details are very important the overall big picture is just as important. being able to focus on a tiny tidbit of information then pull back to a larger viewpoint and look for connections between the small details is a big part of nursing.

i am about to start my 3rd semester and i love nursing! i hope you find it as fulfilling and rewarding as i have so far! best of luck!

sh1901 · Jul 13, 2009

I read each chapter before class and create a basic outline of the concepts on my laptop. I will also highlight key points so that if I feel that I need to look over something again, I can find it easily. I print that out and take it to class with me. Last semester our instructor gave us lecture outlines that we could follow and I would fill-in information as needed. I then took the lecture notes and my outline of the chapter and combined them.

I use note cards when studying for the exams, and they are created for my combined notes. I make my cards kinda like jeopardy, one side there is a question and the other is an answer. I'll go through them several times reading the question first, but once I feel confident, I switch it and look at the answer and try to figure out the question.

I keep a large binder with everything for the class in it, and I take out what I need each week and put it in a smaller binder for class. I have a binder for lecture, for skills and 2 small binders for clinical. One of the binders just has drug cards in it. It may sound a little overboard, but I have all of my drug cards in the plastic page protectors so that when I am looking for them I am not always leafing through them and messing up the pages. We are allowed to photocopy drug cards once we have them made, so I like to keep them neat (we aren't allowed to type the drug cards). The other binder has the syllabus for clinical, and any other notes that I need (I really don't like being unprepared at clinical).

At home I have a bookshelf with all of my books & binders, plus a basket with spare pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. (I don't really have a desk at home - the kids have those spaces taken) so I make the best of what I have.

I also have 2 bags - 1 for lecture/skills the other for clinical.

I hope that helps.

MammaNurse2Be · Jul 13, 2009

Not in NS yet, but this is how I studied for Anatomy, Physio, Chem, and Micro.

Skim material before class so I would know what we were covering.

I record the lecture and take my own notes.

I then go home and re-listen to the lecture while looking over my notes and fill in any blanks. If I come to something I don't understand, I stop and look it up in the book or computer.

I rewrite my thorough notes. By this time I know it. It if is a tough topic like learning the blood vessels. I would draw out the vessesls looking at the book, then redraw from memory until i got it down and could see it in my mind. I can't explain it. Not really memorizing it, but i could see in my mind the vessels and where I needed to go next. Same for path of bood other hard things.

I tried to make sure i had the class material learned before the next class and I would repeat. I may review once a week the whole of whatever we were learning for that test. Then when it was time for the test, i would do the entire study guide, written out long hand even if i thought i knew it. About 2 weeks before the test I also relisten to all the leactures in order while I am taking my kids to school or running errands. Also, would go to sleep listening to the lectures.

This has helped me get really good grades.

saruhdaniah · Jul 13, 2009

Prior to the start of the semester, I take the textbook to a store like kinkos or staples and have the binding cut off and the whole book 3-hole punched. I then place the whole book in a large binder. For each topic, I take out the needed pages and the lecture notes, that my school posts online and put them in a smaller binder or folder. I usually group the lecture binders by test. For example: Test was to include: 1. Prenatal Assessment 2. Antepartum 3.Intrapartum 4.Postpartum 5. High Risk Newborn... I print the needed lecture notes and place them in the binder along with the corresponding chapters from my book. (As well as the index for easier finding of materials)

I DO NOT read the book... I look up concepts that are mentioned in class and familiarize myself with topics that are not clear. Also, there are these wonderful study books called "(Whatever Topic) Success". The first one that I bought was Fundamentals Success. You can buy them at Walden or a like store. Most important study technique: GO TO CLASS!!!

A few nights prior to each examination, read the notes they have given you and the notes that you have taken (take good notes)...

I work a full time job and I am a full time student. I have done pretty well thus far! I am about to start my fourth semester in the fall.

Good luck and I hope this helps you!

SarahDaniah =]

saruhdaniah · Jul 13, 2009

P.S. Nursing School will be like no other class you have ever taken before. It will be sure to kick your butt a thousand times over, if that is what you are expecting! =/

TonySTN · Jul 13, 2009

heres mine.... reading reading reading.. talking tomyself... and u know? if your bored.. call someone... and do a Q&A.... til you fall asleep.. my friend who works in a nursing home night shift does that with me... so she just calls me with her headset and il just fall asleep discussing prenatal abortion. LOL

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 14, 2009

You gotta remember, everyone studies differently. I can NOT read the chapter, can't make notecards, can't take super detailed notes. I usually just print the powerpoints they give us right before class, have the textbook out during class, and my art pad so I can draw. If I sat there for 3 hours trying to pay really close attention, I'd either be knocked out, or tell myself that this sucks and not care. But when I draw, I get comfortable and I can actually absorb more info than people who try to write every word said. I halfway look at the notes and book as they go. Actually true story, I was drawing and the teacher asked a question to the class. 4 ppl missed it, I got it. It's about being comfortable. As far as studying for a test. Usually if we had a test Friday, I'd start on Monday by skimming through the readings, 1 section a day. And by skim, I would circle keywords and underline stuff quickly. Then come Thursday, I'd study with a couple of people and explain stuff to them. Do NOT study with people who don't know anything or that are lazy and want to be taught it all by you, it will be your demise and slow you down so much. I tried to study with a couple of people who hadn't studied yet and demanded that I "tell them stuff". It took 2 hours to get through 2 pages. After that, I found my good study group and it's worked ever since. Those other ppl who wanted me to "tell them everything", ended up failing the class. But this summer I have been reviewing some things so that I'm not losing any info.