Test taking tips.

NursingGirl0726 · Mar 26, 2014

Endocrine is hard so you will have to start early and work your butt off but you can do it :) How have you been studying?

msygrnbw · Mar 26, 2014

I am copying this from another response I posted because I'm lazy and don't feel like typing it out again but:

- Using powerpoints as a guide, not as my only study material. Most major subjects go back to the book and write your set of notes using a combination of the information from powerpoints and book knowledge.

- Form a study group and make flash cards. Take turns with your classmates quizzing each other - I found that I learned the most when I was teaching my classmates the rationale behind why they got the flash card info wrong.

- If you have a patient significant other/friend/parent have them let you explain the material to them. If you can actually teach someone the material, you are much more likely to actually understand it. When you're done explaining, have them teach back (This is great practice for when you're teaching your patients!). If they get things wrong or you leave anything out, go back and explain it again.

- If you have trouble with the question type, because a lot of people just mess up on tests because instructors model exams questions like the NCLEX to get us used to that type of question - then practice questions, questions, questions! Usually the content review at the end of chapters and study questions can be great for reinforcing how to answer these questions as well as the material.

- Get enough sleep the night before exams. Cannot tell you how many exams I spent cramming that little extra in the night before and just felt exhausted the day of, when I could have probably done just as well and have felt much better with the extra rest.

Most of all - don't beat yourself up and give yourself a little time to rest/process. We all have our bad days and if you take this opportunity to really strengthen your study skills, you can completely turn this into a chance to get into positive study habits that will help you all through the rest of school.

You can pass! Don't give up!

ZinnyNurse · Mar 26, 2014

Thanks for your reply. Well I usually tape the lectures and then I listen to the lectures over and over again while writing down everything she says and I take breaks in between to ask myself questions, give myself scenarios and make concept maps. I also try and do NCLEX questions but that does not happen all the time.

ZinnyNurse · Mar 26, 2014

Thank you so much. These are incredible tips that I will put into action to succeed on my next two exams. Thanks guys!! I really appreciate it.

nylam · Mar 27, 2014

hi maybe this advice is nonsense but it works for me all the time, since you said youve studied so hard, you might have already done your best to absorb every information you could. maybe you forgot to take a time to rest i usually alot 1hr of sleep before rrview and after.and i make sure i have 1hr of sleep before exams. and during exams i sleep for 5 mins every 20 questions. YES i can manage to sleep at my desk. in fact my proctors have labeled me sleepibg beauty. and believe me i have always landed on good scores. i also did it board exam. :) just try it if its "applicable" to u :)

NursingGirl0726 · Mar 27, 2014

If she gives you power points to go along with the lectures I would study those more than relistening to the same content over and over. If you study in a different way you don't have to waste time reviewing the information you are confident about and can instead focus on the content that you still don't have a firm grasp on yet.

nylam has something that could work for her but that could never work for me. Our exams are timed and I wouldn't waste time sleeping and risk not waking up LOL. Definitely start to study early so you can get a good night sleep prior to the exams.