It does not require one to be a genius for you to pass your nursing exams. On the other hand, there is a proven formula which one can employ to get the best grades. It might sound cliche, but studying smart and studying hard can yield different results. In most cases, the students who study smart emerge at the top of the class, consequently getting priority when applying for jobs. So, how can you beat the system? The following tips might prove to be of great help:
1. Familiarize Yourself with the Test Formats
Most institutions and instructors tend to do things in a certain way. For instance, some schools tend to give about four exam questions and ask you to choose three questions. You may be required to write a report or thesis at the end of the course in other cases. Either way, institutions and lecturers tend to have a particular way of setting up nursing exams. You might be surprised to notice that most examiners tend to ask similar questions as well. In such a case, look out for past papers and such as a way of training your mind on what to expect.
2. Build a memory For Nursing Exams
Sometimes you may have the course content at your fingertips before the examinations. But funny enough, as soon as you get into the examination room, all that knowledge and information abandons you.
Some people may think that reconditioning the mind may be almost impossible. Frankly, it’s not that hard; at times, all it takes is a positive mentality, and everything else falls into place. To get as much as possible, adopt the mentality that your mind is a think tank that can absorb as much information as possible. As you read your course content, have the mentality that your mind can take even more.
After reading a page or two, try to remember all that you have read without looking at the books, phone, or computer. Thereafter, go back and see the nitty-gritty that you have forgotten; let that sink too. After a few hours (maybe while doing something different), try to recall what you had learned. Repeat this cycle time and again, and you might be surprised at just how much you can get.
3. Change your Study Environment
Sometimes you may have to trick your mind into remembering as much as possible. If you are used to studying in your room, class, or library, you should consider changing that. Sometimes the brain may be more receptive while you are in different places or doing other things. Consider having small shorthand notes on a paper inside your pocket. SO that when you are with friends, watching a game, in the park, etc., check out those notes. The mind may be more receptive, and this can boost your memory of what you’ve learned.
4. Defining Your Goals and Objectives
It is appropriate for one to have a goal of acing a course at the end of the semester. However, setting such an objective is not enough. You need to have a goal and a strategy.
In the business world, it is said that one should set up goals and work daily towards achieving them. Similarly, in academics, you should have daily sub-goals and sub-strategies on how to get what you want.
For instance, you may say that you need to study for three hours each day to ace a test. When you wake up in the morning, plan at what time that should happen. You may not need to learn continuously, but finding nine-20minute sessions can help you do that. Similarly, ensure that these study sessions are in different places as you engage in various activities.
5. Find a Study Safe-Space
At the end of the day, you need to write down your short notes. One may undertake this note-taking process in the library or a corner in your room. After identifying the space, treat it as a sacred space where you put your phone on “DO Not Disturb” mode and study. You may not need to stay there for many hours. However, the few minutes you spend there, make them count.
6. Find a Study Group
Once in a while, it is good to test how you are doing before the exams. At other times, you might grasp some concepts better when friends illustrate them. When making study groups, try not to make an exceedingly big group. Study groups of between 2 to 4 people can be quite useful.
7. Beating Nursing Exams Anxiety
On the day before the nursing exams, you might feel awkward, restless, and inadequate. To beat this anxiety, take plenty of water, go out for a walk, and dress in light clothes, giving room for blood circulation. Additionally, ensure that you have the necessary exam materials such as pens, papers, pencils, etc.
8. Sitting for the Nursing Exams
While sitting for your examination, ensure that your phone is off. Sit at a place where you feel at ease. And, before writing, ensure you check out all the questions, understand the ones you are conversant in, and those that might take a lot of your time. Develop a strategy on how to get the most marks.
And from us at Fast Nursing Help, we wish you all the best.