How Can I Succeed in Nursing School?
Hear it straight from other nursing students...
Begin studying for exams early (days or weeks, not hours). Prioritize your schedule by importance and due date. Notecards! Just making them reinforces the information. Finally - get involved. Join your student nurse associations, form a study group. Fellow students will help carry you through the program when you need extra help. Ellen Woodman Grand Valley State University Always remember - as much as you learn in nursing school, the true learning begins after graduation. Sheila R. Amick York College of Pennsylvania Studying in intervals throughout the day helps me to be able to focus better on the task at hand. Every day after I have lecture, I reread everything I just heard in the lecture to try to implant it into my memory while the instructor's explanation is still in my head. Also, prepare yourself for lots of late nights and plenty of caffeine! Sarah Sanders Jackson State Community College I feel there are quite a few things that contribute to being successful in nursing school. You must first have a love for the profession. An interest in the human body, a desire to understand how it works, and a deep-rooted drive to serve others are key qualities. Compassion, care, and empathy are also very important. There are also a few essential things to remember in the classroom. Be diligent and make it your responsibility to learn. It is also of utmost importance to treat your instructors with respect. If you must confront or disagree on a subject, be matter-of-fact, courteous, and professional as you share your point. Respect your professor and they will likely respect you. Jonathan Kropf Boswell School of Nursing Make out charts on paper - categorize each disease process and write down all signs and symptoms, meds and treatments, interventions, etc. Then, compare the diseases to see how they are similar and how they differ. Lisa Brown Jackson State Community College Organization is the secret to my success. I organize my time effectively so that I have enough time to study, relax, and have personal time. This allows me to study weeks before my exams and, as a result, be better prepared. Jean Thorpe Molloy College Always make sure to stay ahead by reading before attending class. Study at least one week in advance for a test. Try to split up the topics for the test by days (study one topic a day). And, always ask your instructor if you have any questions. Katrina Robinson University of Louisiana - Lafayette Review your notes daily and do not get behind on the reading assignments! Forget the notion of getting caught up on sleep - just get used to late nights. You'll find that the time you sacrifice doesn't seem so bad especially since nursing should be your dream. Amanda Bowman Tennessee Technological University The key to my success in nursing school is study, study, and more study. Have confidence in yourself and perform every day to the best of your ability. Do not lose sight of your goal because there is always a light at the end of each tunnel. Look at the big picture of nursing and remember that school is just a stepping stone in a long and prosperous career that will enrich your life forever. Lori Zaccari Golden West College Nursing School is a great opportunity to meet new people. Take advantage of this by joining a study group or start one of your own! These study groups can be an avenue for you to learn how others study for exams, and how they deal with stress in juggling family and work, too! You will find these times together in your small study group will bring forth new relationships and life-long friends. So start a study group today! Shani Stone Crowder College Never stop seeking information. Utilize every available resource and then find more! Seek guidance from every instructor, preceptor, and professor. Use the experience of the upper classmen as a guide, but carve your own path! Above all learn to eat, sleep, and study standing up! Tom E. Mallon Wallace Community College |
