Studying Hard Vs. Studying Smart

In this fast-paced and busy world that we live in, who has all the time to sit and absorb so much information…in a short time?  So why not come up with more efficient and effective ways to study.  Instead of focusing on retaining quantity of information, you should be focusing on improving the quality of your thought process.  Thinking like a nurse is thinking through content, situations, and possible solutions to a problem.  Value is not only placed on how much you know, but even more on: if you know where to get information, identify the most accurate information, and what you can do with the information.  Hopefully, the table below will help you strategize how to get through nursing school with better retention of information, quality thought processes, and better chances of passing your NCLEX.

Studying Hard (Okay)	Studying Smart (Better)
Reading textbook word for word	Reading chapter summary, tables, picture captions, and read areas that still remain confusing.
“Highlighting the entire book”	Placing restrictions: for example, you can only highlight five words in every paragraph!  This will build on your ability to think creatively, prioritize, and keep you thinking on the big concept.
Reviewing your notes from class by reading them	Rewriting while reorganizing your notes from class, using categories, diagrams, concept maps, etc.
Writing down word for word what the teacher is saying during lecture	Summarizing what the teacher said in your own words
Choosing your best friend(s) as your study buddy	Having group study sessions with a group of students you know are excelling in the class
Wait for teacher lecture on the topic	Skim content ahead of class and write down questions to ask during class
Memorizing as much information as you can	Understanding the big idea and create connections and generalizations for you to use in problem solving activities
Knowing the right answer(s)	Knowing why it is the right answer and why the others are wrong.
Identify a problem and find a solution	Identify a problem and explore alternate solutions

Failed the NCLEX. Where are they now? Kayla Revel

“I graduated from Gurnick in 2012, and it hasn’t been the easiest road I’ve been on. I lucked out and got a Nursing Assistant job for almost a year for a quadriplegic doctor from Sweden, staying to teach Economics at Cal Berkeley. It was an awesome home health job, and helped me get some experience while waiting for my ATT number to take the NCLEX. I received my ATT in November, and I was so busy and exhausted from my 12 hour shifts with my job that I put NCLEX off for the rest of the year. Not a good idea. It was a struggle to work and try and study at the same time, but I did it. My first attempt, unfortunately, was in February of 2013. I studied on my breaks, before work after work, and even during my second job as a waitress. I studied for almost 2 months before taking it. I thought I was ready so I took it. I didn’t pass. I was so devastated and felt defeated. I had even signed up for an IV therapy and Blood Withdrawal course, in which some of my old classmates were in. They all had passed, and I felt so embarrassed not knowing if I passed or not. That is when I decided to take the course with D&D.

D&D was not only a refresher course for the material I studied for hours, but they taught us a specific technique to tackle NCLEX style questions. This test isn’t designed to just test you on your knowledge, and that is where I went wrong with my studies. I took this course the week prior to my second attempt at the NCLEX, and I felt so ready to take. I took it for my second time and I passed! It was the best feeling ever. I felt confident answering almost all of the questions, applying what I learned from DnD. I learned so much from this refresher course.

I passed in April of 2013, and I got offered a Charge Nurse position at an Assisted Living Facility in San Francisco, in September of 2013. It has been an interesting and challenging road for me. But I had love and support from amazing professors, my family, and I was introduced to an amazing group of people at D&D who played a huge roll in my success. I couldn’t have done it without any of them. It was hard, but it gave me the drive to continue my education, and I am looking to continue on to RN school.

Utilize the resources and the help that is offered to you. Nothing is impossible unless you let it be!”