Nursing School Tips for Success

Hello again, Friends!  Below I have compiled some tips that have helped me out over four years of nursing school - I hope they do the same for you!

1. Use a planner.  It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive - just something to keep everything on track.  Write down all assignment dates, test dates, and clinical dates, and even schedule in time for homework/assignments if needed. 

2.  Form study groups.  Studying with others can bring to light concepts you may have not understood. It's easy to just chat and not get work done though, so make sure you set aside time for productive studying, and then time for chatting. 

3. Teach your materials to others.  Did you know that teaching your material to others actually helps you learn it better?  It makes you think through it and condense it into something you can then relate to another person. This process actually helps YOU!  My friends and I would teach each other the concepts and in turn, it helped us to understand them better.  Teach anyone - a parent, your roommate, your pet, or even a stuffed animal - you will be pleasantly surprised!  

4. Ask for help early.  If there is anything you are struggling with while learning, don't wait until you are drowning before asking for help.  Strong, smart people ask for help before everything is too overwhelming to recover from. 

5. Take time for yourself.  This is so hard but SO important!!  If you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't effectively care for others or be at your best for learning. 

6. Study the material you're not solid on.  Oftentimes our study time is very limited. Make the most out of it by spending the time on the material you feel you don't have a good grasp on, rather than re-studying things that you already understand well. 

7.  Write down questions that arise.  Anytime you come across a question you can't find the answer to, write it down. You may find the answer to your question the farther you study, or if not you already have the question in an easily accessible place so you can email your teacher or ask in class. 

8. Read efficiently.  There is often not enough time to read every page or even every paragraph that is assigned.  Read headers, titles, and topic sentences, and pay very special attention to any boxes, charts, or diagrams. 

9. Make concept maps.  This can help you to see how topics are related, as well as another great way to reinforce or learn the material. 

10. Remember that you are doing amazing!