5 Study Tips for Student Nurses
2011
1. Make a plan. Commit to a certain amount of study time each day. Be realistic about it. If you are also working part-time and have a family it probably isn’t possible for you to study 5 hours a day. Track all of your projects and deadlines and keep a project calendar that is easily accessible in and out of class.
2. Use flashcards. This is one of the best ways to simply memorize content, especially before an exam. Use flashcards to make a file for all of the diseases, conditions and symptoms you must know prior to quiz time. Flashcards can be reviewed almost anywhere. You can get in 5 min of studying while you’re waiting in line at Starbucks!
3. Compare notes with classmates. Use your classmates as resources. They may have picked up on something during a lecture while you went to the restroom or were daydreaming. Create a weekly study group of 4-5 students you get along well with. Studying with others can help you see things from a different perspective.
4. Highlight in your textbook. There is a lot of important information in your nursing textbooks and then there is information that is interesting to read but you won’t be expected to know it on exam day. Spend some time highlighting important content that you are expected to know. Then when you’re preparing for an exam you’ll know what to focus on. Highlighted information can easily be re-written onto flashcards so that you don’t have to drag your heavy textbook everywhere.
5. Ask questions. Use your nursing instructors as resources. If you’re unsure about the content of a lecture but are too afraid to ask a question during class, meet with your instructor after class to clarify the info. Your professor will be impressed that you cared enough about their lecture to stay after class and make sure you’re on the same page. Meeting with your instructors is a surefire way to success come test day!
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I wanted to reiterate that creating a weekly study group is a great idea. This was always the best way for me to absorb the information and to also hear everyone’s take on a particular lecture or subject.
Nursing often requires collaborating with your colleagues in a variety of settings. This is a practice to start implementing while you’re still in school.
Great Post Jenna!