Nursing Students – Given identical resources and the same amount of time, some students will learn faster and perform better than others. This can be due to their level of dedication, but it’s more often a reflection of their study techniques. Whether you don’t feel equipped to begin a university course, or you have concerns about your lack of experience, you can improve these skills, just like any others. Take a look at the following tips to gain the advantage and make the most of your learning time.
Create a good working environment
If you plan to study nursing online, having a dedicated space in which to work at home can really help. There is a huge range of remote learning options for nursing students and the UIndy online nursing programs are some of the best. They provide personalized support to everyone who enrolls and their nursing courses are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. To get the most out of your education, find a study spot that suits you: a cozy nook downstairs, your bedroom or the dining room table. Try wearing headphones if they help to cancel out distracting levels of noise.
Manage your time effectively
Unfortunately, your tutor won’t get to see your full potential if you cannot effectively manage your time. Learning to do so at this early stage will not only help you achieve the best grades, but will ready you for work in a medical environment in years to come. It’s not just about being punctual, it’s also about structuring your independent research and fitting it all in.
Prepare yourself for each study session
Switching off the TV and silencing your phone can make your study time more effective, but you’ll also need to get organized in other ways. Keep the materials you need close by and choose how you are going to learn. You might spend 30 or so minutes skim reading, then focus on areas you find difficult before taking notes. Most people find they absorb more information by dividing their topics up and going over a particular theme in one session.
Start taking notes
Jotting down information can help you retain what you’ve learned. Moreover, it gives you something to refer to later on in the course and helps you make sense of more complex topics. If you are taking notes during a lecture, it helps you to remain focused and engaged with what your tutor is explaining.
Pace yourself and avoid last minute cramming
Having to cram at the last minute is not the best way to learn or revise. Instead, it makes sense to do a little every day, so the situation never becomes too frantic. One way of achieving this is by setting yourself personal deadlines. These can help you avoid the problem of procrastination and the inevitable stress which happens as an official deadline looms. Make a timetable for completing your research and your writing; then go back at a later date to check everything over before handing it in. Setting goals can keep you ahead of the university’s schedule and ensure you can fit your academic work around clinical placements.
Take care of your health
Student nurses spend copious amounts of time caring for their patients, but to keep going you’ll also need to focus on your health. Getting a good night’s sleep means you’ll be ready to take in fresh ideas and new information effectively. Prioritizing your wellness can also help you to tackle feelings of anxiety and stress. When you look after your physical and emotional health, you have a better chance of excelling at university.
Explain your topics to other people
Teaching other people what you have learned forces you to arrange and order your thoughts. Therefore, you are able to reinforce your own learning and gain a deeper insight into your topics. It is also one of the best ways to identify your strengths and weaknesses which, in turn, allows you to change your study plan accordingly. You could set up a study group among the student nurses at your hospital, or find a volunteer from your friends and family.
A pathway to lifelong learning
The ability to study effectively is essential when it comes to academic success, but it can also boost your career after graduation. Nurses with good study skills are more desirable because they learn and adapt swiftly. Furthermore, by refining these talents now, you are preparing yourself for advanced study in years to come and a position in the highest levels of nursing.