What am I doing wrong! I just want to cry

mmw99 · Apr 4, 2013

What class is this for? If it's a science, which I'm assuming it is, are you actually reading the chapter? By reading I mean reading it multiple times until you fully understand it? When I'm studying a science or anything that takes a little more concentration to grasp, I always read each paragraph in the chapter over and over before moving on to the next until I can fully comprehend what the text is saying. I have to read it until I can visualize the things actually happening, and that's when I know I've understood it enough to move on. It's a bit tedious but it's well worth it.

Jasmine914 · Apr 4, 2013

I agree with the poster above. I also want to add that as tedious note cards may be they do work. Also if you know the material, I mean have it memorized, don't continue to study it because chances are you won't forget it. Being a mother of 2 little ones I know what you are going through. Try to study while they're taking a nap. Also if you're waking up early and going to sleep late chances are you are tired and your brain can't fully comprehend the information let alone retain it. You need a good amount of rest. I know that might be difficult with a little one but trust me it helps

StayHumble11 · Apr 4, 2013

Maybe if you told us what class it is then we can give you better tips.

mwilso2318 · Apr 4, 2013

Yea I its for physiology. I will read the chapter section by section. I will do it till I understand, but then I kinda start getting anxious like oh this is taking so long I need to finish this chapter by tonight so I can start on the next chapter. And then I start reading and writing the notes but not really understanding or retaining the info. I just realized that is something that I did because If Im going to slow I end up cramming the last few chapters before the test and barely getting to the study guide which is what happened with the first test which I got a C in. Eeek.

mwilso2318 · Apr 4, 2013

Maybe if you told us what class it is then we can give you better tips.

Oh sorry, I could have sworn I typed it in. Its for physiology.

mwilso2318 · Apr 4, 2013

I agree with the poster above. I also want to add that as tedious note cards may be they do work. Also if you know the material, I mean have it memorized, don't continue to study it because chances are you won't forget it. Being a mother of 2 little ones I know what you are going through. Try to study while they're taking a nap. Also if you're waking up early and going to sleep late chances are you are tired and your brain can't fully comprehend the information let alone retain it. You need a good amount of rest. I know that might be difficult with a little one but trust me it helps

Yea it is definitely an additional challenge when you have little ones. I will try the note cards, making sure I master each concept before moving on to the next chapter. It is tedious but I will definitely do it. I really want to understand and know the material, just having a hard time figuring out the best way to do it. And you are right when you are tired you don't retain the information and I have often found myself reading and rereading and rereading the same thing but then getting frustrated that time is ticking and I need to hurry up so I can start on the next chapter.

serenitylove14 · Apr 4, 2013

I use to read the chapters. Highlight important portions. Write out the important portion by hand. Go over the powerpoints in class and make notes on the powerpoints and going back to the book for the portions I didnt know. I then studied with someone right before the test to test my knowledge. This was for Med Surg 2. I had a 64 after the first 2 test and brought it up to passing by the end of the semester. Good luck.

Marasca · Apr 4, 2013

I know how tough it can be. Put in the work to understand the material. All the note cards in the world can't help you if you don't understand what you're studying. If you run out of time to make the flashcards, sometimes you get lucky and find that someone else made a good set on quizlet.com . If their study aids are set to "public" you can piggyback on those to learn the material. (If you understand the material you'll be able to spot the best flashcards pretty easily.)

For the diagrams I cover the labels with small post-it strips and make a copy. Slip that into a plastic sheet protector and you can practice labeling over and over with a wet erase marker.

Lack of sleep will sink you. Get some rest and start fresh - you can turn this around.

lauraline · Apr 4, 2013

I have spent 7+ years in college classes, and have earned 2 degrees. Nursing will be a second career for me. Ever since I truly learned to study properly I have never earned any grade less than a B+.

Do NOT only rely on pure memorization of facts. You have to learn and understand the concepts and connections between these facts, and their deeper meanings. It had to make sense to you. And not just things you memorized and stuffed into your brain.

Like people have stated, do the reading and study slides. Do this thoroughly, and take notes as you read. Rephrasing the concepts in my own words helps me. And drawing diagrams also helps me, since I am a visual person.

When I take notes, I also ask myself questions. Such as 'why' questions, and force myself to explain it physiologically. Then literally write these questions down as if they are test questions. In the end, I gather all the questions (and answers) I wrote for myself as a review and test my knowledge to confirm that I truly know the material--not just memorized.

Anyway, this is my technique, and it hasn't failed me yet. I feel like I know the material like the back of my hand doing it this way. But, everyone is different, just find the techniques that fits your style the best.

Some things that have helped other students I know are: after studying, practice 'teaching' what you've learned to someone else to check if it is making sense and is clear in your mind. Also, the Internet has lots of helpful videos, I do this sometimes because I am very visual.

Good luck.

**emergenceRN17, ASN, BSN, RN** · Apr 4, 2013

Good idea! I like the idea of dry erase labeling. I am going to have to try that. Thank you!

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Apr 5, 2013

Involve your little one! In A&P I, when I was studying the bones, I would point to the bones on my son's body as I named them. Or I would explain the concepts to my daughter. Mind you, my kids are teenagers, so they thought Mom was going crazy, but at least I was interacting with them. Plus it was good for a laugh later.

I've also heard of people putting up large dry erase boards in their homes to draw concepts out in order to understand them. As another poster mentioned, if you can teach it to somebody else, you understand it. But if you have nobody to teach it to, pretend! Draw it out like you *are* teaching. Explain it to your kids, even if they don't care. Teach it to your pets. If my dogs could talk, they would be teaching classes on sliding filament theory and how the urinary system works. They didn't care what I was saying; they were just glad I was talking to them. And it gave me the chance to talk concepts through repeatedly until I had them down.

Good luck!