What the heck am I doing wrong in Fundamentals?

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So I am in the tail end of my first Semester, outlook grim… need a 78 to pass have a 78 currently and need a 78 on my final. I started off the year strong with A’s and B’s (that I WAS BARELY STUDYING FOR) and then I Started to get low C’s (failing in my nursing school) and Study 8-10 hours like 4-5 days a week. I 100% understand that my Science based Analytical brain (and degree) and My 2-3 years as a CNA and ER Tech don’t apply and I’m now “in my own way because I am set in my ways” But when I get to the exam the questions make sense I answer and its wrong? I’m Using my ABCs and my Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in the back of my mind and the residual info I need for the knowledge based portion. So where the heck am I going wrong? Any Tips/ Techniques to study more effectively? ?

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

You appear to be spending plenty of time... fifty hours per week of studying should be ample for any field of study... that is, if you mean that you are actually studying... doing homework isn't studying... re-reading isn't studying...

My approach to rigorous academics is to break study sessions up into multiple short sessions throughout the day... liberal use of flashcards and summary pages to capture the 10-minute gaps that invariably present themselves in even busy schedules... read a section then stop and summarize for myself what I just read; if I can't, then I re-read.

Reading is generally a passive process; studying is an active one.

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@Music in My Heart thank you so much for your tips! I definitely feel like I need to do flash cards, reread chapters, and do little study sheets. thank you again for your advice I’ll definitely try that ?

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Specializes in Nursing Student Retention.

‘Hope this reaches you before your final and that you can implement some of the strategies in time to be successful. (If not, and you have the chance to repeat the course, please consider trying them next semester.)

First, use the instructor-defined objectives of each unit/ module to guide your studying (but not as essay questions) and the nursing process (ADPIE) to link concepts.

Next, understand how you learn: your learning style preference (search online for a free quiz) and your ideal study cycle. Your primary and secondary learning style preferences will show you the most efficient type of tools to use as you study. Your maximum study time without a break should be based on the amount of time you can focus without forgetting parts of the first sentence or concept. The average adult can go about 35 min., but I’ve known successful nursing students who never got past 10-15 min. Add an appropriate break of about 2-10 min. during which you do not study but do something different, e.g., a few exercises, start laundry or dinner, etc. The focus time and break equal one study cycle. Usually a 45-min. study cycle can be repeated up to three times (2 hrs. 15 min) without a major break of up to 30-minutes. Try to limit yourself to two successive periods with a 20-30 min. break between them for a total of 2-2.5 hrs a day. Working more efficiently will produce better results in less time than hammering yourself for 4 hours straight.

Third, make sure your flashcards are actually flashcards, e.g., one thought per card such as the drug category of a medication or a nursing consideration. Yes, you will make many more cards but since a flash card means 10 sec. or less for question and response, it will be more efficient. A 3”x5” card with multiple sentences is a notecard, not a flash card. Be conservative in the use of this tool; while ideal for lab values, vocabulary, and medication memorization, the majority of nursing knowledge tested on exams involves comprehension in support of analysis and application, not regurgitation of fact.

‘Best wishes for your success this semester! 

1
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On 12/6/2021 at 12:06 AM, Quest5 said:

‘Hope this reaches you before your final and that you can implement some of the strategies in time to be successful. (If not, and you have the chance to repeat the course, please consider trying them next semester.)

First, use the instructor-defined objectives of each unit/ module to guide your studying (but not as essay questions) and the nursing process (ADPIE) to link concepts.

Next, understand how you learn: your learning style preference (search online for a free quiz) and your ideal study cycle. Your primary and secondary learning style preferences will show you the most efficient type of tools to use as you study. Your maximum study time without a break should be based on the amount of time you can focus without forgetting parts of the first sentence or concept. The average adult can go about 35 min., but I’ve known successful nursing students who never got past 10-15 min. Add an appropriate break of about 2-10 min. during which you do not study but do something different, e.g., a few exercises, start laundry or dinner, etc. The focus time and break equal one study cycle. Usually a 45-min. study cycle can be repeated up to three times (2 hrs. 15 min) without a major break of up to 30-minutes. Try to limit yourself to two successive periods with a 20-30 min. break between them for a total of 2-2.5 hrs a day. Working more efficiently will produce better results in less time than hammering yourself for 4 hours straight.

Third, make sure your flashcards are actually flashcards, e.g., one thought per card such as the drug category of a medication or a nursing consideration. Yes, you will make many more cards but since a flash card means 10 sec. or less for question and response, it will be more efficient. A 3”x5” card with multiple sentences is a notecard, not a flash card. Be conservative in the use of this tool; while ideal for lab values, vocabulary, and medication memorization, the majority of nursing knowledge tested on exams involves comprehension in support of analysis and application, not regurgitation of fact.

‘Best wishes for your success this semester! 

Thank you so much that helps a lot! I’m definitely overworking my brain by studying non stop for days on end ? The flash cards part definitely reached me because I grabbed my flash cards and was like hm this is way too much information!

thank you so much it helps a lot! Final is in 2 weeks! So we will see! I’ll keep you guys updated ?

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