Tips for someone who has never studied before

If the books have case studies in them, read them. Think about how the flat book knowledge applies to the case study. My anatomy/physiology book had case studies, as did my micro book, and psych as well.

I always found that applied knowledge stuck better than memorizing tables. In my first quarter of nursing school, the test I did the worst on was the one including fluid and electrolyte balance. Why? My clinical patients were mostly healthy that quarter. I hadn't seen the things I've seen since then. Two quarters later we revisited the subject and god bless the teacher! She did one class explaining the subject. Then she spent the next lecture doing nothing but case studies. She'd write up a list of blood gas values and ask us what we thought; then explain what it was, and the brief facts of what that patient had going on. I found it very useful to study her case studies even though my hand was a bit cramped trying to write it all down.

If you get any instructors who are willing to explain what such-and-such condition looks like, what they've seen, etc. then listen really carefully; they're giving you the benefit of years of experience. When you get to clinicals, make note of the things you need to ask about or look up later, and do whichever you need to, depending on the personality of the nurses and/or instructors you work with. Some will want you to look it up before asking a question. Some will just explain it to you.

...that's all I can think of at the moment.

Here's my usual routine. It's long, but it works.

Read the chapter, just as you've been doing. But do it before class. Get a general idea in your mind of what the professor will be talking about. You don't have to know everything at this point -- just be able to recognize the concepts and vocabulary words. Make it familiar to you.

In class, take note of what the professor discusses. If he or she has provided a handout, highlight it, write notes on it, mark definitions in the margins. If he or she has not provided a handout, write down the major points he or she discusses.

After class, use the notes you wrote in class to write a summary of all the material you need to know. Pretend you're the teacher, and you're providing a review sheet for your students. Make flashcards if need be. I know you feel like you're only memorizing, but as long as you comprehend the meaning behind the flashcards and aren't just spitting out meaningless repititions, that's all that matters right now.

If need be, read the chapter again. Make up images or catchy sayings to help you remember things. For instance, to remember the functions of skin, I remembered the phrase "To Be Pink Can't Seem Easy!" That is, Thermoregulation, Blood reservoir, Protection, Cutaneous sensations, Synthesis of Vitamin D, and Excrection.

The goal is to get to the point where you can review all the material in your head without using any other aide. It should be easy, like flipping through a book. That's what I've been doing, and I've been getting A's. Hope this helps!

Some things have to be memorized. I found it helpful to have a study group. First you set "rules" like number (no more than 4-6), no talking about personal stuff, where you meet and when. We made it a rule to come to the group prepared (read first) so we would all be on the same level. We would just talk about concepts and processes and procedures till everyone had a grip. If I still felt hazy I at least knew how to focus my self-study. Talking it out helped me.

Somebody above said to pretend you're the teacher as you write up review sheets. I find "teaching" the material very helpful. They say you always learn a lot by teaching, and thinking through how you would explain something to someone else, especially someone who doesn't know much about what you are talking about helps you work through what you might not understand. After I prepare materials, I actually read through them out loud as if presenting the material to someone else (privacy helps a lot for this).

Case studies or just trying to personalize material might help. It is always easier to remember info for drugs taken by someone you care about, so think about who might be taking something.

And never underestimate the power of pure memorization. It is a worthwhile techinique for all that is derided a lot. It just doesn't have to be your only technique.