PROPER STUDY TECHNIQUES

FOR FUTURE NURSES

D. D. Millett, RN, BS

THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BY FAR BEST STUDY TECHNIQUES BEGIN WITH YOU:1. Getting the correct amount of sleep:

2. Eating well balancing meals: (even while studying! Combining two activities at one time!)

3. Exercising (will decrease stress and keep you healthy; and there is that text book again!)

4. Listening to your body, i.e., ,hydrate yourself. Water:

IMPROVES YOUR MUCH NEEDED CONCENTRATION AND PROCESSING

IMPROVES YOUR MOOD AND EMOTIONS

IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF YOUR SLEEP

IMPROVES YOUR, UH…OH, YEA, MEMORY

INCREASING THE FLOW OF OXYGEN TO YOUR BRAIN

TAKE 5 – 10 MINUTE STUDY BREAKS EVERY HOUR.

ORGANIZATION, PRIORITIZATION & DISCIPLINE

You ABSOLUTELY MUST BE ORGANIZED with all of your study materials, texts, highlighters, notebooks, pens and pencils, Microsoft Suite (if possible), computer, paper clips, spiral bound notebooks to hold your organized papers/notes, ruler, calculator, and a MEDICAL DICTIONARY ~ this may a Taber’s or another type…BUT GET ONE if you have not already!!

~ TABER’S MEDICAL DICTIONARY is a life saver! And putting stars or writing along the border of the

dictionary word you looked up will decrease your need to read the entire definition the next time.

~ Do NOT just read the definition but UNDERSTAND it as well.

YOU MUST: ORGANIZE AND PRIORITIZE YOUR TIME IN ORDER TO SURVIVE NURSING SCHOOL!

Prioritizing your life must be your first priority!! In all seriousness, you can no longer sit for leisure, with long hours of watching TV or go out on a Saturday night. Nursing school is, and will be, your TOP priority. Learn to say “No” to things or events that will take time away from your studying.

If you are unable to prioritize and comprehend that nursing school is a full-time commitment, then you had better think long and hard about why are sitting here during this presentation. Doing your homework, reviewing your notes daily, reading and preparing for class, lab, or clinical the following day is MANDATORY!

NURSING SCHOOL IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT. YOU MUST ORGANIZE, PRIORITIZE, AND BE

DISCIPLINED. THEY SAY FORMING A HABIT TAKES

21 – 30 DAYS…MAKE STUDYING YOURS!

THE BEST WAY TO SUCCEED IN STUDYING:

Go to class, every class, every day.

Be on time for classes and exams.

Sit towards the center, front row.

Avoid any classroom distractions and be able to focus on what instructor is saying.

If you are allowed, record the lectures. In addition, get involved with the class and ask questions.

Take excellent notes in class, without distraction or doodling.

Read all assignments the day before that lecture is scheduled.

Every night, review the notes from the lecture of the prior day.

In addition to rereading that day’s notes and the text, complete assignments, class material, or any homework due the following day. This way, you will be better equipped to understand what your instructor is trying to teach you and you will be able to formulate any questions that you may have. In other words, PLANNING AHEAD EQUALS SUCCESS AND TOP GRADES!!

REMEMBER…The technique for note taking: draw a vertical line 2/3 of the way into the paper, and write down your own quiz questions there to ensure you can answer – by either writing it down or stating the answer aloud – every question you wrote for that lecture. Review your notes, including your questions, every day at least two times, if possible.

This technique may be used for your text books too. You may write questions to yourself pertaining to the material outside of the borders of the text itself.

REVIEW your text everyday as well, and answer your own invented questions. Read, read, and read again.Proper study techniques must become ingrained in you and become a necessary habit.

It is the quality of the time you spend time you spend studying, NOT necessarily the quantity – turn off the TV, stereo and the cell phone.

Studying, reading, rereading, understanding the content, and note taking, all take a lot of time; but, your future patients will thank you.

PROPER STUDY TECHNIQUES TAKE TIME AND MUST BECOME A HABIT… BUT YOU WILL BE THRILLED WITH THE RESULTS!