Seriously, I don't get it. I probably study longer (maybe not smarter) than most people. It's nothing for me to stay awake 24 hours at a time to study for something and it's typical for me to study one subject for about 4-5 hours each night (as the quarter progresses). I have a study group and we meet anywhere from 1-3 hours before our tests. This entire semester, I have teeter tottered between a B- and B, with some B+'s in the mix.
I have tried many, many techniques and nothing seems to raise [or lower] my grade. I'm just a steady 'B'.
Also, 84% is the minimum grade in all classes that we MUST have to move on to next semester.
I wouldn't mind the 'B' so much if it wasn't so close to the cutoff point.
I too, am a B student. All semester I have hovered around an 85. It is frustrating b/c my friend that sits next to me that goes out and parties every weekend makes A's while I study and read everything. You know what though? I don't care! I am just happy to pass. Now an 84% is crazy!!! We have to maintain a 75. That alone is nerve wracking I can't imagine having to make an 84! But what my advice is is to go on the websites that come with the books. Example my nursing fundamentals book has a website that has practice NCLEX type questions. The practice tests have really helped me! I don't know what I would have done w/o them. I mean, I use them and make B's so if you try that you may be able to pull those A's you want! Your doing great and don't give up! We all try to make A's. This is hard stuff!
I too, am a B student. All semester I have hovered around an 85. It is frustrating b/c my friend that sits next to me that goes out and parties every weekend makes A's while I study and read everything. You know what though? I don't care! I am just happy to pass. Now an 84% is crazy!!! We have to maintain a 75. That alone is nerve wracking I can't imagine having to make an 84! But what my advice is is to go on the websites that come with the books. Example my nursing fundamentals book has a website that has practice NCLEX type questions. The practice tests have really helped me! I don't know what I would have done w/o them. I mean, I use them and make B's so if you try that you may be able to pull those A's you want! Your doing great and don't give up! We all try to make A's. This is hard stuff!
I use the Evolve website. I love it! I do the questions that are offered with our online accounts and we have a Kaplan account that has a ton of practice questions with rationales. I have actually just started using these resource in the last week or so. I would have used them sooner, but I have only received all my account information for Kaplan last week.
Since this semester is done with exam-type testing, next semester I am going to try a technique that a classmate has been using successfully. She makes up questions on an index card related to each slide on our powerpoints; she says that this method gave her A's on her last two tests--when all her prior test scores have been B's or less. The only downside I can see when doing this method, is the information that is not included in the powerpoints may be missed unless you read the entire chapter, which she did not do for the last two tests.
And I agree that maintaining an 84% or above is "crazy"--kind of a narrow margin. Just to get into the program, we could not have a grade that was less than 84%. It was terribly competitive getting in and has been even more stressful losing my awesome gpa.
study less and dont go to study groups. I always do better on tests when I stop studying 24 hours before the test, and I avoid people talking about the test (right beforehand) becuase they often say the wrong answer and it sticks in your head. Thats me anyway.
study less and dont go to study groups. I always do better on tests when I stop studying 24 hours before the test, and I avoid people talking about the test (right beforehand) becuase they often say the wrong answer and it sticks in your head. Thats me anyway.
Don't rule out study groups completely. It might not work for some students but it does help with some. If somebody has a wrong idea, they are normally corrected by the group. Attending a study group is also a way to assess yourself on what you know about the subject matter you were studying for. They also might have an idea that you have missed.
One thing though.... you may have to choose which study group you're going to participate in. You don't want to be the only person that has done your share of reading and the rest just benefit out of you.
I stopped comparing myself to others. As long as I am learning, and doing my best, nothing else matters except for my license and degree at the end. I've become wary of the people who brag about their grades, half are probably not being truthful anyway.
Oh and OP, I feel your pain. I stayed up for TWO days to study for my HESI and got a 85%. Looking back, even if I stayed up for a week straight, it still would be the same. A good number of topics (this was the HESI) weren't even in my NCLEX review book.
My trick was to stay well ahead of the curve. I'd order my textbooks as soon as they were posted (usually at least 4 weeks before the semester started) and read in advance as much as I could. If we were covering a body system in med-surg, I'd brush up on the reading in A&P, patho and pharm. All the informaton has to fit together in order to really get the nursing interventions. I found that the constant cross-referencing of various nursing and pre-requ courses helped me retain information.
I study for exams by taking practice NCLEX questions with rationale. Does your school have a program called NCLEX 4000 or something similar available to you? NCLEX 4000 is available for us, and it is a really good review tool. You can choose particular systems or categories and the particular amount of questions. You can take practice exams, or go in study mode which gives immediate feedback with rationale. Another tool I use is the Evolve website (the website from my textbooks) There are many review tools there, as well as review NCLEX style quizzes. I notice that often my instructor takes questions right out of those questions. Nursing exams are not about memorization, but rather critical thinking, application and synthesis of information learned. I hope that this helps you! Good Luck & Get some sleep!:)
I absolutely agree with kylee. I'm a low visual learner so reading over and over doesn't help me much so I bought a saunder's nclex review, put the cd in my computer and I'm able to quiz myself on a certain system and it helps solidify important points in my mind. If I get a question wrong, I'm able to see the rationale - then I write down those particular questions so I can again repeat that info.
I just like the review questions because I'm able to apply what I've read, not just memorize.
What I hated about being in nursng school is that I was a B student with a 92.75% average. Now that sucks! 93% is an A and they don't round of course. But either way.. B or A.. I am still a working Nurse who is continuing right on from LPN to BSN
I want to reiterate what Jeanette and previous posters have said about reading ahead and staying ahead. By the time the material has been mentioned in lecture, I have already at the least read the chapter.
I've also found studying in "bursts" of short time has helped me stay focused. I will set a timer to learn a certain section, anywhere from 10 mins to 45 mins, then quiz myself afterwards.
I have been told to be practicing those NCLEX questions the whole time we are on that particular nursing rotation.
Personally, I didn't do study groups for my other degrees nor for my prereqs, and I probably won't do them for any nursing unless there's a group project that requires me to work in a team. I study best alone and in quiet. I also never spent time making flashcards. Maybe sometime that will be beneficial. But if "memorize it" is the goal, I never would waste the time to make my own flashcards.
As most people have said rest/sleep is very important!!! Take breaks from studying! I study in short bursts throughout the days and make sure to call it a night at a fair time and I do very well. The habits that really help me with my studys are studying with others which you are already doing (maybe look at who or the amount, is it too many people)I find talking out the information with others is key.. I do TONS of nclex questions, as many as I can get my hands on and be sure to read the rationales. KNOW the pathophys, most importantly, if you understand the basics the rest will be easier to make sense of. I read prior to the lecture and make notes or notes cards based on the reading and the lecture after... A lot of books have websites with nclex questions and other resources so check those out if theyre available.
A test hint that I find important is not to change my answers and to go with my gut instinct. I immediately cross out the 2 bad answers and focus on the other 2 and try to pinpoint why one might not be as good as the other, sometimes it comes down to how it's worded so pay attention to the little details!!
nrice28
199 Posts
I too, am a B student. All semester I have hovered around an 85. It is frustrating b/c my friend that sits next to me that goes out and parties every weekend makes A's while I study and read everything. You know what though? I don't care! I am just happy to pass. Now an 84% is crazy!!! We have to maintain a 75. That alone is nerve wracking I can't imagine having to make an 84! But what my advice is is to go on the websites that come with the books. Example my nursing fundamentals book has a website that has practice NCLEX type questions. The practice tests have really helped me! I don't know what I would have done w/o them. I mean, I use them and make B's so if you try that you may be able to pull those A's you want! Your doing great and don't give up! We all try to make A's. This is hard stuff!