Ok, so nursing has taught me:
1. How to study
2. How not to study
So before I begin on that, I want to encourage anyone who is getting into the nursing field to really try developing studying methods before coming; it will benefit you so very much. I never really studied at the college I went to, then again, my major was film and screenwriting, and you can't really put a grade to art. I will argue that untill the day I die lol. Anyways, I had to learn the hard way and am still learning how to study, so here is some advice that I can pass along. Hope this proves to be a blessing.
Do's
1.a. Pray and do devotionals!!! Seek God first friends, the rest will fall into place. Martin Luther once said that when he had his busiest day, he prayed twice as long. Apply.
1. b. Remember, this can be done.
1. c. Expect it to be rough (ie, expect to study 8 hrs/day on non-clinical days)
1.d. Refer to 1a + b
2. NEVER procrastinate
3. Go to every study group you can
4. Study the material before going to study group so you can bring up questions
5. ASK QUESTIONS!!!!
6. Take amazing notes!
7. Google Images is your friend - print off pictures of body organs and explain in your own words what in the world is going on - pathophys woooo!
8. Give yourself about 30min-1hr after class to _____(insert fun activity)___ and then get studying
9. Study for only 2 - 2.5 hr blocks -- after that, your brain only picks up certain amounts of the material
10. Teach someone! You retain almost 90% (I think lol) when you teach another the material
11. Make a calendar/schedule now!
12. Don't freak out. You do your best, God does the rest (which in retrospect is most of it).
13. Make an FB class page -- that way you can share advice and notes with your classmates.
14. Realize that it's not about memorizing -- it's about understanding and applying in different ways critically.
15. Eat, rest, and exercise well. This will help you study so so much. You'll find yourself with more energy and drive to keep going.
16. Have fun with the material. The wackier the study method, the easier to memorize. I knew someone who made his medication list and characteristics into a rap. He earned the highest marks in the class.
there's more, but I'll insert later...
Don'ts
1. Assume the material can be put off for another day -- this isn't choir practice, this is nursing. On that note, don't assume period.
2. Get involved in too many extracurricular activities -- you will get burnt out. Believe.
3. Not study techniques before clinical - if you don't refresh, it will be hard to assess. :3
4. Wear Prada to class -- Seriously... that's all I'm saying. This will affect the studying of others as they wonder what you were thinking.
5. Not make friends. Your classmates are your 3rd family (1.real, 2. church), get to know them. They will help you.
6. Not eat before studying (your brain needs fuel). Oo! don't not eat after surgery too. --Dude, eat or you will faint. No joke. Then you'll prob bust a bone or your eye may fall on a syringe (what kinda hospital?) and then you'll be next for surgery. Word.
7. Pull all nighters. They don't work too well here; too many details to understand.
8. Study for hours on end. Study in blocks, help yourself out.
9. Not wash your uniform after clinical. The hospital is the most infected place in the world, do you really want to bring that to your home where there are kids or where you eat your food? Think about it.
10. Not read the notes. Read, highlight, re-write, bullet point, doodle on those notes!
11. Exercise, eat, rest in the same place that you study. Your mind needs to be around a different environment when you are giving it a break.
12. Take hour long breaks. This will be a temptation. Get a partner to keep you focused.
13. Get arrogant. Don't do it... say no to drugs.
14. Study with the tv on... Your brain can't handle that chaos.
15. Think that this advice is foolish. It's not, it's realistic. Not even exaggerating.
Ok, I know that some were a little like, wha? but believe me, they all affect your studying.
Remember friends, what you do in your free time affects your study time, and your study time determines how well you will do. Do your best. Believe me when I say sometimes it stinks to have to do our best, but certain times in life require us to flex those muscles, grind those teeth, and get done what needs to get done. It's called being a responsible adult. God bless you, will be praying for you. If you would like to add any advice that you feel is relative or if you have a specific prayer request, please, drop a note =)
1. How to study
2. How not to study
 |
| If only... If only... |
So before I begin on that, I want to encourage anyone who is getting into the nursing field to really try developing studying methods before coming; it will benefit you so very much. I never really studied at the college I went to, then again, my major was film and screenwriting, and you can't really put a grade to art. I will argue that untill the day I die lol. Anyways, I had to learn the hard way and am still learning how to study, so here is some advice that I can pass along. Hope this proves to be a blessing.
Do's
1.a. Pray and do devotionals!!! Seek God first friends, the rest will fall into place. Martin Luther once said that when he had his busiest day, he prayed twice as long. Apply.
1. b. Remember, this can be done.
1. c. Expect it to be rough (ie, expect to study 8 hrs/day on non-clinical days)
1.d. Refer to 1a + b
2. NEVER procrastinate
3. Go to every study group you can
4. Study the material before going to study group so you can bring up questions
5. ASK QUESTIONS!!!!
6. Take amazing notes!
7. Google Images is your friend - print off pictures of body organs and explain in your own words what in the world is going on - pathophys woooo!
8. Give yourself about 30min-1hr after class to _____(insert fun activity)___ and then get studying
9. Study for only 2 - 2.5 hr blocks -- after that, your brain only picks up certain amounts of the material
10. Teach someone! You retain almost 90% (I think lol) when you teach another the material
11. Make a calendar/schedule now!
12. Don't freak out. You do your best, God does the rest (which in retrospect is most of it).
13. Make an FB class page -- that way you can share advice and notes with your classmates.
14. Realize that it's not about memorizing -- it's about understanding and applying in different ways critically.
15. Eat, rest, and exercise well. This will help you study so so much. You'll find yourself with more energy and drive to keep going.
16. Have fun with the material. The wackier the study method, the easier to memorize. I knew someone who made his medication list and characteristics into a rap. He earned the highest marks in the class.
there's more, but I'll insert later...
Don'ts
1. Assume the material can be put off for another day -- this isn't choir practice, this is nursing. On that note, don't assume period.
2. Get involved in too many extracurricular activities -- you will get burnt out. Believe.
3. Not study techniques before clinical - if you don't refresh, it will be hard to assess. :3
4. Wear Prada to class -- Seriously... that's all I'm saying. This will affect the studying of others as they wonder what you were thinking.
5. Not make friends. Your classmates are your 3rd family (1.real, 2. church), get to know them. They will help you.
6. Not eat before studying (your brain needs fuel). Oo! don't not eat after surgery too. --Dude, eat or you will faint. No joke. Then you'll prob bust a bone or your eye may fall on a syringe (what kinda hospital?) and then you'll be next for surgery. Word.
7. Pull all nighters. They don't work too well here; too many details to understand.
8. Study for hours on end. Study in blocks, help yourself out.
9. Not wash your uniform after clinical. The hospital is the most infected place in the world, do you really want to bring that to your home where there are kids or where you eat your food? Think about it.
10. Not read the notes. Read, highlight, re-write, bullet point, doodle on those notes!
11. Exercise, eat, rest in the same place that you study. Your mind needs to be around a different environment when you are giving it a break.
12. Take hour long breaks. This will be a temptation. Get a partner to keep you focused.
13. Get arrogant. Don't do it... say no to drugs.
14. Study with the tv on... Your brain can't handle that chaos.
15. Think that this advice is foolish. It's not, it's realistic. Not even exaggerating.
Ok, I know that some were a little like, wha? but believe me, they all affect your studying.
Remember friends, what you do in your free time affects your study time, and your study time determines how well you will do. Do your best. Believe me when I say sometimes it stinks to have to do our best, but certain times in life require us to flex those muscles, grind those teeth, and get done what needs to get done. It's called being a responsible adult. God bless you, will be praying for you. If you would like to add any advice that you feel is relative or if you have a specific prayer request, please, drop a note =)
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