Hey Y'all!
Hope everyone's week is going well, we're almost at the weekend...but if your schedule is anything like mine, that time is mainly spent planning and preparing for the following week.
When I began this blog, my ultimate goals were to use it as an outlet throughout my experience in Nursing School and hopefully inspire along the way. What I didn't expect was to spend a good 4-6 weeks simply acclimating to this program.
I consider myself a good student, but I must admit there was still a learning curve. After having a few quizzes and exams I have compiled a quick/generalized list of what I've learned so far:
1. Organization
This is imperative as you will be given many assignments with various due dates (some may overlap) and you don't want to fall behind. There's no time to play catch-up.
I have to write everything down or I will most certainly forget. This may sound insane...but I even have to schedule my workouts! It's difficult for me to conceptualize that I have enough time to run or take a yoga class if I can't visually see a breakdown of my day (maybe I will post about how I stay organized, in a later post).
2. If your instructors provide Power Points; consider yourself lucky.
Typically, I will print the PowerPoint before class and skim it the night before. I'll print a few to a page and leave space to take notes directly on the printed slide.
The textbook - a great resource, but overloaded with information and it can be overwhelming. For me, it works best to stick to the information outlined on the Power Points and reference the text for more elaborate explanations, should I need one.
When I get home, I re-write my notes which helps me to group the information so that it makes sense to me. Afterwards, I dictate my notes to a recorder so that I can listen to it as I drive to school or walk my dog. If your professor will allow it, you can record their lecture instead.
3. Give yourself ample time to study
Test anxiety is most certainly real, but I find that when I have given myself enough time to cover all the material (i.e not cramming), I am more confident on exam day. This is something I have stuck to in my pre-nursing days as well.
When I study I typically begin with the most difficult material and though it may seem counter intuitive, I take breaks to allow myself to absorb the info I just covered (but also for coffee...Ok, mainly for coffee).
Utilize different study aids - Power Points, YouTube, Fundamentals Success, etc. This really helps me to understand if I view it (even the same info), in different formats.
Don't forget to test yourself - if your exams are in multiple choice format, make or find your own short answer style test to see if you truly understand the concepts you've learned. Oh and ALWAYS read the rationales for each answer!
4. Find support
Either in your spouse - I feel very fortunate to have a husband that completely understands he will be living with a crazy woman for a few years (no big deal...), or your classmates as they will likely know what you are going through!
5. Make time for/ take care of yourself
Some weeks, you're going to feel like you're living at the library/simulation lab and trust me, it is sometimes necessary... But you will need to find something that allows you to recharge emotionally, spiritually, what have you, to prevent being at the verge of a breakdown!
It is equally as important to eat healthy (I now make my own lunches and prepare my own snacks) and exercise! We are going to be preaching preventative health and it is my opinion that I need to embody this as well... Also my wallet and my waistline agree ;-)
There you have it - probably tips you have already known or figured out on your own! If so, you are probably killin' it and I tip my hat to you! If not, it's not too late!
XO
Dani
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