How I Study Efficiently in Nursing School (Without Losing My Mind)

Nursing School Study Tips & Hacks: How to Study Efficiently in Nursing School

Nursing school is tough. There’s no way around it. But it doesn’t have to be soul-crushing. With a few simple study tips, you can survive and even thrive in nursing school.

Here are my top five tips for studying efficiently in nursing school:

1. Don’t read every word of the assigned chapters. Nursing textbooks are dense and full of information. You don’t need to read every word to understand the material. Instead, skim for bolded words, chapter summaries, and key points. Here are some specific tips for skimming nursing textbooks:

Read the chapter title and introduction. This will give you a general overview of the material that will be covered in the chapter.

Read the bolded words and chapter summaries. These are the most important terms and concepts in the chapter.

Scan the paragraphs for key points. Look for sentences that start with phrases like “The most important thing to remember is…” or “This is the key concept to understand.”

Don’t be afraid to skip over sections that you don’t understand. You can always come back to them later if you need to. By following these tips, you can save time and still learn the material that you need to know for your nursing classes.

2. Alternate study methods to prevent burnout. Don’t just read your textbooks. Mix things up by watching YouTube lectures, practicing quizzes, and reviewing your notes. This will help you stay engaged and avoid getting bored.

Here are some different study methods that you can try:

Reading: This is the traditional study method, but it’s not the only one.

Watching YouTube lectures: There are a lot of great YouTube channels that offer nursing lectures. This is a great way to learn the material in a different way.

Practicing quizzes: Quizzing yourself is a great way to test your knowledge and identify areas where you need more practice.

Reviewing notes: Your notes are a valuable resource, so make sure to review them regularly.

Creating flashcards: Flashcards are a great way to memorize terms and concepts.

Teaching others: Teaching others is a great way to solidify your own understanding of the material.

By alternating your study methods, you can make studying for nursing school more fun and less overwhelming.

3. Invest in study guides, especially for challenging subjects. There are a lot of great study guides available for nursing students. Choose guides that match your learning style and that have quizzes and mnemonics to help you remember the material.

Here are some specific tips for choosing a study guide:

Read reviews from other students. This will give you an idea of which study guides are the most helpful.

Choose a guide that is written for your level of understanding. If you’re a beginner, don’t choose a guide that is written for advanced students.

Make sure the guide has quizzes and mnemonics. This will help you test your knowledge and remember the material.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from your professor or TA. They can recommend study guides that they have found helpful.

By investing in a study guide, you can give yourself a better chance of success in challenging nursing subjects.

Here are some additional tips for using a study guide:

Read the guide carefully and take notes. This will help you understand the material and identify areas where you need more practice.

Complete the quizzes and exercises in the guide. This will help you test your knowledge and identify areas where you need more practice.

Create flashcards from the guide. Flashcards are a great way to memorize terms and concepts.

Review the guide regularly. This will help you keep the material fresh in your mind.

By following these tips, you can make the most of your study guide and improve your chances of success in challenging nursing subjects.

4. Avoid cramming. Nursing concepts build on each other, so it’s important to give yourself enough time to learn the material thoroughly. Cramming will only hurt you in the long run.

Here are some reasons why cramming is not a good idea:

It doesn’t allow you to learn the material thoroughly. When you cram, you’re only able to memorize the information for a short period of time. Once the test is over, you’ll likely forget most of what you learned.

It can lead to stress and anxiety. Cramming can be a very stressful experience. The pressure of having to learn a lot of information in a short period of time can lead to anxiety and panic attacks.

It’s not sustainable. You can’t cram for every test. If you try to, you’ll quickly burn out.

Instead of cramming, it’s better to start studying for a test early and to space out your study sessions. This will give you time to learn the material thoroughly and to avoid stress and anxiety.

Here are some tips for avoiding cramming:

Start studying early. Don’t wait until the night before the test to start studying.

Space out your study sessions. Don’t try to cram everything into one or two study sessions.

Take breaks. Don’t try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes.

Review your notes regularly. This will help you keep the material fresh in your mind.

Practice quizzes. This will help you test your knowledge and identify areas where you need more practice.

By following these tips, you can avoid cramming and improve your chances of success on your tests.

5. Prioritize organization. Use a planner to schedule your study time, tests, projects, and clinical hours. This will help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Here are some tips for staying organized in nursing school:

Use a planner. A planner is a great way to keep track of your assignments, tests, and clinical hours.

Create a study schedule. This will help you to make sure that you’re studying for all of your classes.

Set aside time each day for studying. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, it’s important to set aside some time each day for studying.

Organize your notes. This will make it easier to find the information that you need when you need it.

Create flashcards. Flashcards are a great way to memorize terms and concepts.

Use a whiteboard or poster board. This can be a great way to visualize the material that you’re studying.

By following these tips, you can stay organized in nursing school and improve your chances of success.

Here are some additional tips for staying organized in nursing school:

Set realistic goals. Don’t try to do too much at once. Set small, achievable goals for yourself and celebrate your successes along the way.

Take breaks. Don’t try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes.

Reward yourself. When you reach a study goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you stay motivated and on track.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling with a particular subject, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your professor, TA, or classmate.

By following these tips, you can stay organized and motivated in nursing school.

I know that studying in nursing school can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these tips, you can study efficiently and effectively. And who knows, you might even have a little fun along the way!

Here are some additional tips for studying efficiently in nursing school:

Find a study buddy. Studying with a friend can help you stay motivated and accountable. Just make sure you choose a friend who is also serious about studying.

Take breaks. Don’t try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes. This will help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

Reward yourself. When you reach a study goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you stay motivated and on track.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling with a concept, don’t be afraid to ask your professor, TA, or classmate for help. There’s no shame in asking for help when you need it.

Remember, studying in nursing school is a marathon, not a sprint. Take your time, pace yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.