What works for you?

[scrublifenurse10, LPN]

I'm finally out of my summer-time, don't want to go back to school blues...and I am ready and excited about going back for my second and final year. I would however like to have a better study pattern/plan, as well as be more organized and prepared for class and clinicals. Any advice you can give me that will help me to achieve this, and have an awesome year would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

[MammaNurse2Be]

I swear by the 15 minute intervals. I set a timer and devote it to 15 minutes of focused study time. It is amazing how much I get done when I know that I can stop after 15 minutes. It is very focused work time. Now, I have a goal of how many of those I want to achieve per day depending on if it is review, test, quiz etc. I have my study materials handy in all locations-bedside, bathroom, car, purse so that when I have a few minutes to spare I can review something. Alot of my friends say they can't do it because it isn't enough time, but you can accomplish alot in 15 minutes of focused time and before you know it you have made big headway. This works for days that I am home and having to work in caring for my kids, laundry, cooking, paying bills and helping them with homework. For those longer study days like when at library, I just plug through but I do take a break every hour. I find I need less power study sessions when I am consistent with my 15 minute sessions.

[Essie Marie]

i find what works best for me is "forcing" myself to do 10 mins worth of reading . . . and that by the time ten minutes has passed that i'm into it and am like "well, i might as finish the chapter now". also, breaking up readings into short intervals helps.

if i am bored with one subject, i cycle through the different subjects (which helps break up the monotony). e.g., if i am bored with patho, i move onto to health, when i'm bored with that i switch to lab, etc.

hope this helps. :)