Anyone have any great study habits???

[Flames9_RN 358]

Howdy. Been down in the USA since Dec. 2004. My schedule is very slack. Been taking classes since I have been here, but nothing too crazy, 3 classes at most, and they were pretty easy ones. I have now commenced my Nursing program, and the classes are a bit more difficult. Compared to other students, my schedule is pretty light. I dont really work. My only job is officiating hockey, and if I don't want to do that, i don't,lol. What my main problem, is finding motivation to study. Anyone have any tips on finding motivation to study? Study more effective? Any tips that helped you learn the material? Thanks, Scott

[misa 2]

I am the *worst* with study habits. I'm a total procrasinator and end up cramming at the last minute.

The only thing I can think of is to make studying a regular routine. Block off an hour (or whatever amount of time) per day, at the same time everyday to go over your school work. I got that tip from some friends before when they were working on their dissertations. They told me that if they didn't work on their dissertation (researching, writing, rereading, etc.) at least a bit every day, they just ended up slacking so they treated it like a part-time job -- you don't really want to do it, but you have to.

[G&A 1]

What worked really well for me is as i would read the chapters fromt the text book, i would make up questions (of course on the subject matter of the material). Write the questions on the front of a Q card and the answers on the back. When you have an exam, all you have to do is review the Q cards. Its takes alot of time to make the Q cards, but when it comes times to study its a breeze. Hope this helps.

A

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thats my problem, I keep putting things off. Some time having to much time on your hands isn't a good thing,lol And with the RN program the info is stuff I need to know. Not just for a test, but in real life. Most of my other classes I got just learn it, do the test, and forget it. Not the case now. Maybe the solution is to buy more lottery tickets!

[Emancipation 2]

Yep I agree with Misa.. I always studied with a schedule..

I also always went to the library.. that way my bedroom in college didn't become a place I hated to go to.. having a place to study that's not in your house really helps.. that way like a job you can get away from your "work" and go home and truly relax.

I bribed myself a lot.. i'd study for a couple of hours and then "reward" myself with a TV show.. or a break or a coffee date or something.

Couple of ideas from me

[Flames9_RN 358]

ty

[Bernie and Gary 0]

Group study might be the way to go, besides you may enjoy new friendships. My cousin who aced her Registered Nursing Degree was a crammer and a procrastinator, that was her forte and I'm proud of her for taking that risk. Cheers.

[derekkj 0]

Lord, I am like the queen of procrastinators too! Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow!

But somehow I made it through grad school working full time and taking classes mostly at night. My grandkids will have to figure out how to pay off my student loans, but that's another story.

Anyway, all great suggestions so far! I found that making a study schedule (and forcing yourself to stick with it) really helped, studying with a group also worked and having a place that's just for studying (a small corner of your home or the library) is a good idea.

And of course, if you win the lottery, don't forget all of us who helped you out when you needed it!

[MelindaandTarek 0]

HI - - i am in a graduate program and had to reevent my study skills and I too am a procrastinator..i find using acronyms to remember lists of things was helpful..I had to remember the 7 characteristics of an effective counselor and still remember them all using PCMAGORE - each letter stands for a word in the list...anyways that works for me - - also I found making flashcards was helpful and I would also write things over and over that I had to memorize...good luck....

[LadyJane 1]

Hi Scott,

I've been a college student, in one form or another, for...14 years. Way too long, but thankfully I am enjoying my Ph.D. research and feel like I'm making some good progress. Study habits have changed for me over that time. But I've noticed that when I spend a bit of time each day, that I've already set aside, to study or read articles then I do a better job of KNOWING the material so that I will know it after an exam. Of course I cram too, but it's more for confidence that I was doing something student-y.

I remember that the nursing students in my college studied together, everyday. But be careful if the group study turns into a group bi*&% session. And, note cards are super handy.

Lots of good luck and happy studying. We're here for you!

[Delicia 1]

I had 2 years of university in, had some kids, got married, got divorced (in about a 5 year span) and then decided to go back and finish my degree. I was a single parent of 2, working full time and going to school full time. My life dictated efficient use of study time. Since my kids were very small (elementary and preschool), I had only Fri and Sat nights after they went to sleep to crank out all my reading and write my papers. So, beginning at 10pm Friday night until I was too tired to comprehend anything anymore, usually around 2-3am, I read and wrote. Same thing for whatever I didn't complete on Friday night had to be finished on Saturday night. So, my schedule was: Mon - Fri days, go to my job (kids at daycare), Mon - Thurs nights, go to class, Friday & Sat nights cram school work, Saturday & Sunday days were laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, playing with kids. When you are forced into time restrictions, you HAVE to do it then or it doesn't get done. My advice: get busier and you get more done!

[derekkj 0]

and I too am a procrastinator.

For some reason this made me laugh! I think we need to start a PA group!

Hi, my name is KJ and I am a procrastinator...

[Flames9_RN 358]

hell, I don't wanna get busier,lol

[~Nini~ 2]

Looks like we're all procrastinators.

In all seriousness, get out of the house. I always needed to study at the library or somewhere else because whenever I was at home, I'd always say, "Ten minutes to get food..." and then two hours later, I'd have to go to work.

Go to the local coffeehouse, or even the park if it's nice out.

I used to take notes in lecture, and when I came home I cross-referenced with the textbook and wrote them all out again. For one thing, you can neaten up your notes in preparation for final exams, and secondly, it's a good way to get the information in your head. (Yes, slightly OCD, I admit it )

[thermophile 0]

Sounds like there's a lot of bad students among us-I'm also in the stay up all night cramming for the test/writing the paper cohort. Of course, now it's stay up all night writing the test/grading the papers-same problem, different side of the classroom.

I never liked the group study sessions where you sit around and quiz each other, but I did have a couple of friends I'd get together with and we'd all study at the same time but usually not for the same class. I'm more likely to follow a schedule if I'm meeting someone rather than just working by myself. Our group had a pretty good dynamic-one girl was a chemistry goddess, another -anatomy queen, etc. So, we could ask each other questions but it wasn't so structured as the group study sessions in the movies.

my only other suggestion is charts and tables-I'm a very visual person and can remember a lot more info if it's related to everything else in a table rather than discreet facts. Usually the effort and concentration required to make those type of study aids was 80% of the studying that I needed to do.

good luck