We are told not to

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Study the night before an exam. But who does it anyway? I know I do..actually I'm doing it right now:)

I read this same advice online in a power point about how to study for nursing exams. For me, not studying the night before an exam would feel like I was slacking off even if I have studied plenty ahead of time. I don't want to be kicking myself that I should have studied the night before also if I don't do well. I usually start studying a week before an exam. I am not sure how that will work this semster though since our schedule is jam packed.

I am also one of those students who can't stay up all night. I only did one all nighter in college the first time and graduated cum laude. Everyone says I will have to give up my sleep and learn to drink coffee but I can't function if I don't get a certain amount of sleep. As someone else posted, I don't want to be one of those people who falls asleep during the test because I am so tired.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'm not up all night studying. Since I'm studying nearly every day up to that point, I may give my notes a once-over the night before, but that's it--I'll knock off early and just relax.

My reasoning: if I don't know the material by this point, I'm never going to know it...so why stress and lose the sleep? :)

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Nope..never ever study the night before an exam. But what I do, do is write down some key points that the teacher emphasized (or said KNOW THIS)..after all is said and done in the house, dishes washed, kids in bed, I head upstairs, jump in bed with my "cheat sheets" (maybe one or two sheets on both sides..the 5 x 7 type notebook paper) and just read them over a few times. I usually fall asleep doing that and dream about that info all night. Most times I'll wake up in the AM, and have something come to mind. I'll grab my "real" notes, glance them over and thats that.

Works for me! I'm pulling a 3.8 GPA.

I tend to go blank when I cram or study/read the info over and over since I am 100% auditory learner. I skim the chapter before lecture, listen to lecture, taking minimal notes, and then emphasize it to myself by verbally explaining the concepts over and over to my hubby, my 6 yr old daughter, the dogs..whoever or whatever is within ear shot..LOL

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I always study the nite before and right before the exam. One time, I was re-reading my notes before an exam and I read the word "deafism" and then put my notes down because it was time for the exam. Then what was on the exam? Deafism and I had forgotten the definition! grrrrr!

So I learned to re-read all those notes!

And I do agree that the nite before the exam is not the time to learn new material. You should be studying things you have already read and are trying to recall. :p

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Study the night before an exam. But who does it anyway? I know I do..actually I'm doing it right now:)

I always have studied the night before an exam and I probably always will. However, this is not the first time or only time I have studied or reviewed the material. I think that makes a difference! I find that studying the night before helps keep the material fresh in my mind. It's worked well for me so far... all A's :)

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That's just plain crazy not to study the night before- who are these people that tell you such things?! I mean I guess they mean don't wait to the night before to study which (duh) we all know or we wouldn't make it through the first exam of fundamentals. But I definelty study the night before and the morning of. My only rule for myself is that I get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before.

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Specializes in Maternal-Fetal.
Study habits: Print out power points on 4X6 Index cards

Listen to the lectures (I record all of them, whether they want me to or not........I paid for them after all)

With book and cards out I re-listen to lecture and fill in information from lecture on cards and re-highlight in a different color in book areas stressed in lecture.

Burn lectures to CD (to listen to in the car)

All of the above is done prior to getting ready for test........

Day before test, pull out cards, re-listen to lecture with cards and book open. I usually take an hour break and then do it again (by this time I already know most of the material)

Day of the test 3 hours before the test I go over my cards and listen to lecture while in the car..............an hour before the test I try to think of nothing at all..........totally clear my mind. Then during the test the answers just pop into my mind.

I do the same! I have a 45 min drive to school everyday and listening to lectures in the car really helps! Plus, I've found that I've become more familiar with my prof. speaking style and have had my memories helped along simply with the test questions.

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Specializes in Making the Pt laugh..
I've been told not to study past 10pm the night before an exam......

This advice of not studying the night before is just like the sporting coach telling an athlete not to have sex the night before a game. It is not the sex....it is the chase until 4AM that affects the game play!

I have found that reviewing the exams for the subject from the previous years helps me with understanding what the lecturer is after and then I base my study around the lecturers expectations. I also take notes that give a shallow outline and think through the specifics to ensure I know the subject.

I have just finished my last clinical placement and have my paperwork in with the board to get my Registration....after three years there is light at the end of the tunnel...my eyes are on the prize. Just remember that there is an end to the madness that is Nursing School.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.
This advice of not studying the night before is just like the sporting coach telling an athlete not to have sex the night before a game. It is not the sex....it is the chase until 4AM that affects the game play!

I have found that reviewing the exams for the subject from the previous years helps me with understanding what the lecturer is after and then I base my study around the lecturers expectations. I also take notes that give a shallow outline and think through the specifics to ensure I know the subject.

I have just finished my last clinical placement and have my paperwork in with the board to get my Registration....after three years there is light at the end of the tunnel...my eyes are on the prize. Just remember that there is an end to the madness that is Nursing School.

When I advise people not to study the night before the exam...it's for other reasons. My reasons are

1- as motivation to study harder...and be more dilligent the other days- knowing you WILL not rely on the last minutes.

2- spend the night before relaxing...to relieve anxiety...and also...as motivation to study harder the rest of the time.

I studied HARD EVERY DAY...reminding myself that I would take off the night before the exam. Also..as stress relief...when I could spare the cash...I would go for a massage the morning of finals!

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I've never heard of someone being told not to study the evening before an exam. I think that's nuts :bugeyes:! I am a last minute studier, I start cramming a couple days before the exams.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Immediate Care.

Everyone has their own unique study habits. Don't let anyone tell you what YOURS are===

Some people need to study up until they pass out the tests, some need to take off the night before to de-stress...

Figure out what works best for you, but don't blow off studying and blame it on "researching study habits"... No one's going to buy that :)

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