Tips for Studying in Nursing School

You know that a nursing career is very stressful, and nursing school is also challenging. The only way to achieve success in a nursing program is to learn how to study as effectively as possible with time management. Let’s look at some tips for studying in nursing school and pass those nursing school exams.

Because they have a lot of responsibilities like homework, clinical hours, working, and taking care of their families. So how can you manage your time to get the most effective studying done? Well, don’t worry. Today, I will share a few steps and tips with you that you can use to get A+ results.

Tips for Studying in Nursing School

Before sharing the tips with you, I want you to do something before. If you’re going to get better at studying, I want you to be organized, focused, and deliberate. Because this way you would be able to get better control of your time and studying habits.

Tip 1: Be Organized

Now when I say organized, that means keeping a record of your deadlines so you can know how to manage your time. At the beginning of every semester, make sure to take a look at the syllabus from your teacher. Then, put all of the deadlines on your calendar. It can be on a mobile, laptop, or a physical calendar – just something that you physically look at daily.

This way, you can see the calendar and schedule your study time appropriately. The benefit of this is that it gives you a bird’s-eye view of what is due when rather than having to remember everything or attempt to study a few days before. The advantage of doing this is that it will help you avoid last-minute cramming and stress, and you won’t have to worry about a surprise deadline or rely on the professor to remind you about due dates.

Tip 2: Focused

When I say focused, it means eliminating all the distractions while studying. Close TikTok, HBO Max, and YouTube. Study for 20 minutes, then give yourself a break. These short but highly-focused sessions are much more effective than reading on autopilot for 4 hours.

Study sessions don’t have to be very long to be effective. They must be focused.

Tip 3: Be Deliberate

Deliberate means that you should have a plan while studying. When you sit down to study, you should know specifically what class, what topic, or exam, and have the material ready to go. The first 15 minutes of studying shouldn’t be deciding what to study and gathering materials.

You don’t want to study for 30 minutes and then realize that there’s something even more important you should be studying instead. Effective time management comes down to making a plan!

So, how to make a study plan?

• Look up your deadlines; put it on a calendar
• Break up the studying into sections by topic.
• Schedule yourself to study the sections. So, if it’s the cardiac chapter, you might study anatomy one night, heart failure another night, cardiac medications another night, etc. Make your study sessions 2-3 hours, but in 20 minute blocks with 10 minute breaks in between.

Tip 4: Online Learning

Google, Youtube, Wikipedia, and many nursing forums and websites are excellent sources for online nursing learning and helping your memory. Most of the time, these websites provide nursing quiz questions and answers with explanations.  So, if you’re reading something in your textbook that doesn’t really make sense, look up a YouTube video to see if you can understand it that way.

5: Get a Study Partner

A study partner will help you get better grades because they will act as a support system. This means that you can discuss the subject matter with them, and they can also help you recall the topics.

One of the best ways to maximize having another person is trying to explain the topic to them that you’re learning as if they have no understanding of it at all. For example, maybe you have a neuro quiz soon. Try to take a topic that you know you’ll be quizzed on (like the cranial nerves) and explain it to your study partner. This really helps deepen understanding!

Another great benefit of having a study partner is that you can motivate each other. In this way, you will not feel alone while preparing for exams and will be able to complete your studies on time.

6: Take Frequent Breaks

We all know this, but somehow we forget to do it. Taking frequent breaks is very important for two reasons; first is that it gives us a chance to relax and second is that it helps in refreshing our mind.

When you are studying for long hours, you will feel exhausted and stressed. In this situation, if you don’t take a break, you will probably not be able to concentrate on your studies.

So, it would help if you take frequent breaks during your study time, which will help you stay focused and reduce your stress level.

7: Reward Yourself

This is another old trick that works like magic. If you want to achieve something, reward yourself after completing each task, for example, after completing your daily targets or after finishing your studies for the day. Rewards could be baking something you’re excited about, scrolling through TikTok for a while, or watching an episode of a show you’re really into.

8: Take Advantage of Tutors

We cannot understand a specific topic or concept most of the time. In this situation, we should take help from our professors or tutors.

Most colleges provide free tutoring services to their students. So, it would help if you take full advantage of these services. I was a tutor in college and it can be really helpful to have someone else explain something that’s challenging for you to understand.

Also, your professor should have office hours, which means you can go to their office to ask them questions. If you’re having trouble with a topic, going to ask them directly can be really helpful. This also demonstrates to them that you care about doing well, which is always a good look!

This way, you will be able to clear all your doubts and learn the topic in a better way.

9: Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

Asking for help from your teachers or classmates is not a sign of weakness, and it is a sign of strength because it shows that you are ready to learn new things.

Most of the time, we hesitate to ask for help because we think we will look incompetent in front of others. But this is not true, and most people will be happy to help you in your studies – after all, it’s their job to teach you!

So, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

10: Practice, Practice, and More Practice

This is something that we all know but somehow forget to do it. Practicing is very important if you want to excel in your academics. You may need to practice some nursing skills, or memorizing certain facts, or just go over something repeatedly. These reps build neuropathways! The more familiar you are with something, the easier it is for you to understand and troubleshoot.

Are You Ready for Nursing School Success?

These are some of the tips that will help you get better grades in nursing school. Follow these tips and see how they work for you. And don’t forget to enjoy the process of learning new things. All the best.

Video on tips for studying in nursing school

FAQs

How do you memorize in nursing school?

For memorization, you can use a variety of techniques. One is to create mnemonic devices, or acronyms, to help you remember information. You can make up songs or rhymes to remember information or use flashcards. Some students find it helpful to write out important information repeatedly. Finally, many students find that practice quizzes and exams help them memorize material.

What should I do if I am struggling in nursing school?

If you are struggling in nursing school, it is essential to seek help as soon as possible. Talk to your professors, tutors, or classmates; they may be able to help you understand the material. You can also seek out supplemental instruction or tutoring services offered by your school. Finally, make sure that you are taking advantage of all the resources available to you and practicing regularly.

How do I prepare for exams in nursing school?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each student has a different learning style. However, many students find it helpful to review notes and outlines before exams, practice completing practice quizzes and exams, and form study groups with classmates. Additionally, it is vital to get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before exams.

What should a first-year nursing student expect?

Nursing school is overwhelming at first; this is normal. You’ll have many deadlines and a challenging schedule to balance that includes exams, papers, clinicals, and lab time. Make sure to keep your calendar updated with all of this!

Your first few clinical experiences will be a little scary, but everyone feels like that. Your instructors should want the best for you and will help you ease into the environment.

Familiarize yourself with your online learning resources, textbooks, and schedule. It takes a little time to settle into the demands of nursing school; some study techniques that you’ll try will not work out – and that’s okay! What matters is eventually figuring out what works best for you. I think I was a sophomore before I got into a good groove!

More Resources:

• Test Taking for Nursing Students – Nursing.com
• Nursing School Organization Tips
• How to Stay Ahead in Nursing School
• Nurse Study Tips for Your Learning Style – The Nerdy Nurse blog
• How to Study for Nursing School