Third Semester El Centro/North Lake - HELP!!!

[HappyCat0325, BSN, RN]

Good evening everyone!

I just began my third semester of Nursing school at North Lake/El Centro and was curious to see if there were any previous graduates or fourth semester students who could offer some MUCH-needed advice to those of us in third semester? We can already tell that the topics are going to be VERY in-depth and highly detailed (mostly in-depth MedSurge topics/issues) so is there any advice that you guys could give us for study tips, readings, reviews and/or practice questions? Some of us have "heard" through the grapevine that third semester exams are by far the most difficult exams in the program and if that is the case, what is the best way to prep for these awful tests? Other than the required readings, powerpoints, note-taking and practice questions, what else will help us to be successful this semester and progress on to the fourth semester? We've also heard that many students tend to fail-out in third semester due to poor test scores from lecture exams. We don't know if this is true or not, but just in case it might be, we ALL want to be successful and prepared! Though this semester has just begun, the workload is already crazy and the reading topics are VERY in-depth! Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for all your help!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

moved to our tx nursing programs discussion forum--see numerous threads here.

[OrangeMel]

If I remember correctly, some people might have failed/dropped in the semester, but I believe they told us our third semester class (i am 4th now) was the first that everyone passed in the end.

I have been using the same study techniques as always, which is writing down notes ( i am a big note taker). My technique is (for example) put HYPERTENSION in the middle of a blank white paper. in the top left corner put: Def: and the definition. then under that: SX: and the symptoms. RX and the mes, and so on. it should only take one paper (but some topics might be separated. for example CANCER SYMPTOMS might be one page) No complete sentences, all bullet point-type things. your brain takes a better snap shot of the info. i always end up without about 40 pages (front and back totaled 80) for each topic.

aside from that, make drug and lab flashcards. and do LOTS of NCLEX questions. from HESI book, SAUNDERS book, CDs, and any NCLEX books you have. plus google has lots of nclex questions (mainly copied from saunders book). Use your HESI study book and Saunders comprehensive book also.

I got away with not opening the book second semester, but with the lack of videos/powerpoints this semester, you MUST take notes from Iggy. (dont go crazy on the highlighting)

study in groups as you can. and stay calm before tests, dont get into the "im gonna fail" crowd.

Good luck, you can do it!

[Brenda A]

I wold like to see if any of you guys can help me with some info. about my first semester in the North Lake nursing program. I would like to get any kind of advice on how or where to buy all the materials required for this program. How to prepare for my first semester and any study tips on how to study.

What to do about buying books, should I get the box or should I buy them somewhere else e.,i. Half price books. Oh and what about scrubs? Should I buy the pants in school or should I get them somewhere else. Is it a good idea to buy books from previous students from past semesters. I would greatly appreciated all the help you can give. My orientation is on Nov 30th and I would like to be prepare on what or not to buy. I am very nervous after seen all the post about the difficulty of this program, that is why I would like to get prepared as much as I can.