Time Management Tips, PLEASE!!

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Feb 22, 2010

For me, I've found the best way to study that reduces stress is plan out your study time and establish small goals every day. Don't wait until the night before to try and cram, because you likely won't do as well.

When I took A&P and Micro, I divided the material I needed to study into chunks and just did a little every day. Then the night before I would look them over a bit, re-read stuff that didn't quite click, and it was good. Things that didn't just stick, like the names of the various bacteria and viruses, I had to make flash cards for or memorize lists.

Whenever I looked at the overall chapter I had to learn, it looked incredibly daunting. But when I broke it down into pieces and took it a piece at a time, it was fine. Once you have all the pieces, the night of the review you look at the overall unit and suddenly it's not so scary anymore.

Just so you know, nursing school will be just as bad or worse, time management-wise. It's pretty common to have 2-3 tests a week, class 3 days a week, and clinical the other two weekdays, and often clinical paperwork due the following Monday, such as care plans / concept maps. And then there are skill pass-offs, too. Don't get discouraged, it's doable. But it's a good idea to nail down a solid time management routine now so when you get in it won't be so overwhelming.

tripp3horn · Feb 22, 2010

Thank you! I am doing some everyday but your suggestion of viewing the chapter first and breaking that apart is very helpful. I think if I set a goal of what to study for each subject everyday and then give myself a day of review before the tests, I will keep more of my sanity!

I know nursing school will be much harder. I'll be taking five classes at a time, every semester. That is why I really want to figure out some better time management skills now to at least help myself out a little when the time comes (which will hopefully be next fall!!)

Thanks again for the great tip!!

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Feb 22, 2010

Five classes at a time?!?! Is this how the nursing program is organized? Maybe it's structured differently than mine, but ours is only three (each one is about six hours a week) plus two eight hour clinicals a week. Five classes might be a bit much, but it may be structured differently. All I can say is I would recommend not overwhelming yourself. Nursing classes are challenging and time-consuming. Best of luck to you.

Mommaof3 · Feb 23, 2010

I also have 2 small children (1 and 3) and am recently single so my advice for time management is create a solid bedtime routine....We start baths every night at 7pm, then PJ's, my 1 year old goes down at 730 and my 3 year old down at 800. That gives me about 2-3 hours to study, look over chapters, create lists, flash cards, etc. I also found with A&P I really had to look outside my text book to truly understand some of the physiology pieces, I used visualizations on youtube and kidshealth.org was also a big help. But by far the best time management technique I can give you is to get your kids to bed early because studying with a 2 and 4 year old is darn near impossible! I feel ya!! Good luck!

sharpeimom · Feb 23, 2010

have you spoken to your professors/instructors? my husband is a professor and when he realizes a student is legitimately overburdened, he will work with them however he can to lighten their load. he has let students take the quizzes and tests the day before or after, by email, or. in one case, in the snack bar as the student was eating lunch (because her toddler age son had a doctor's appt. that overlapped class time.)

many faculty members will give breaks to students they have worked with before, that are honest with them, don't always need a favor or a break, who hand work in on time, participate when in class etc.

on the other hand, my husband can be ruthless with students who try to play him. he also has a no

cell phones on in class rule.

faculty (believe it or not) are human too:d and will have suggestions and ideas for you. :idea:

if a faculty member has no objections to being taped, tape your classes, then play them back while

you cook, fold laundry, do housework etc. check to see if your campus has a daycare unit. some do.

or swap childcare with a fellow student.`

check and see if your school has a no more than 2 major exams in one day rule. some do.

kathy

shar pei mom:paw::paw: