Published Oct 16, 2008
*HaNNaH*
19 Posts
I am so upset with myself! I'm in my 1st quarter of LPN school and I've failed my 1st two tests this week. The 1st in Nutrition & Diet Therapy and the other in Nursing Fundamentals.
I studied hard, well at least I thought I did! Ugh! I'm so upset because I feel like I won't be able to make it. We have to have a 70% average in each class to sit for our final, so I've got lots of work to do!
I guess I just needed to vent for a few minutes!!
How do you guys study? Flashcards, just reading the material or what? I need some motivation!
sweetie3.14
9 Posts
Im sorry you didnt do as well as you would have liked to, but dont be so hard on yourself!!!! When I had nutrition I remember the first couple of test were hard. I was glad when it was over!!! The way I prepared was to give my full attention to lecture, highlight in my book, and write any extras the instructor gave us and then made an outline of all the information I had. As I made the outline it helped me to learn the information and get it in my head. I do know alot of my classmates do flashcards and that helps them learn some do study groups and that works for them, so guess you have to find what study tools help you to retain the information. Just dont give up!! You can do this!!!!!
Jules A, MSN
8,864 Posts
I made note cards and carried them with me everywhere. Any time I got a spare minute I'd pull them out and study. Good luck!
NurseR0xy
18 Posts
I use flash cards. I read the chapters, then skim through the most important details. I also do the practice questions after each chapter and if your book came with a CD then I would also look at the practice questions they give you from there. When you are taking a test, try not to read into a question too much. Use critical thinking.... what may seem to be the right answer for you may not be the right answer when it comes to nursing. When you do choose an answer dont change it because your first instinct is usually right. Good luck!
Thanks so much for the replies! I highlight the important stuff in my book & write the extras down, but I think I'm going to try the flashcards too!
I'm trying so hard to stay motivated. I know it's hard now, but it will be so worth it when I'm through!
Good Luck to ya'll!
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
I would also suggest to use yellow highlighters and red pens. These are very bright colors that command attention. I am also into color therapy, and yellow is for learning/knowledge and red is for emergent things (think of Stop signs, most warnings are in red, etc), energy, to stand out and for passion. Just a metaphysical thing, I know, but it worked for me. Most people pay attention to important points written out in red. Good luck. Nutrition is hard.
kayte03
I would definately write the notes or make notecards with them. It will help you remember more. The first Fundamentals test is rough because it's hard to figure out how to study. I usually review my notes till I know it, then I go back to the book and read all the charts and read over my highlighted things and make sure I get it.
NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN
2,487 Posts
I would go to the instructor and present them with your concerns. They might be of help, I had to do that for one of my med surg classes because I just wasn't passing the exams, I failed my first 3 exams, and then that's when I went to my instructor. She was of great help and showed me some tricks when studying for her exams.
As one of the poster stated, study the questions in the back of each chapter. Most likely it wont show up on your exam, but if it's an NCLEX type of question you will defintely have a similar question like it. I read my chapters but I focused more on the lecture notes more than anything. Don't highlight things that you already know, highlight things that you DON'T KNOW. That is a tip that one of my instructors gave me, and believe it or not, it works. Good Luck!