Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies

Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies Kathy Alden, RN, MSN, IBCLC Academic Counselor

Preparing for Class • Look over chapter • Read outline and course objectives • Do readings, make notes • Look up new terminology • Write down ?’s to ask in class

Getting the Most from Lectures • Sit near front • Change seats occasionally • Focus on content, not on instructor • Be alert for repetition of concepts

Getting the Most from Lectures PAY ATTENTION TO VERBAL TIPS: reading from text enumerations terminology OBSERVE SUBTLE CUES louder voice repeating idea pausing for you to write hand gestures END OF LECTURE: STAY FOCUSED

Tips on Taking Notes • Clean paper, one side only • Wide margins • Powerpoint slides • Date, title, and number pages • Use abbreviations • Write legibly • Highlight important points (COLOR) • Retype on word processor • Compare with others • LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!

Study Groups • Forming the group • Conducting the group • Assign tasks • Test each other • Practice teaching • Compare notes • Brainstorm questions • Set an agenda • Pair off to do book reports • Prepare study questions to teach others in group

Organize the info General to specific Meaningful Associations Memory Techniques

Memory Techniques • Use your body • Learn actively • Be relaxed, but mentally alert • Picture it • Recite, Repeat, Write

Memory Techniques • Use your brain • Reduce interference • Use daylight • Overlearn • Distribute learning

Memory Techniques • Recall it • Remember in association • Notice remembering • Use it or lose it

Before a test… • Manage review time • Daily, weekly, major reviews • Create review tools • Checklists, mind maps, flash cards • Plan a strategy • Study guides, dry test run, instructor expectations • Join a study group

Before a test…. • Avoid marathon study sessions • Don’t review right before a test • Get a good night’s sleep two nights before a test • Don’t work the day before • EAT BREAKFAST!!!

During the test… • Arrive early • Avoid discussing habits with other students • Jot down memory aids • Scan entire test • Use memory techniques when stuck • Pace yourself

Multiple Choice Questions • Answer easy ones first • Answer each question before looking at answers • Mark a question if you are having trouble and come back to it • Only if you have misread the question should you change your answer

Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing School • Know the parts of the question • Background, stem, options • Read carefully before looking at the options • Key words: except, primary, initial, best, most

Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing School • ID theme of item and use info given • Answer difficult questions by eliminating obviously incorrect responses first

Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing School • Always select the most therapeutic and respectful response • Eliminate bizarre, inappropriate, and punitive responses • Know basic nursing principles

Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing School • Manage time • Do not change answers without good reason • Choose options within realm of nursing judgment vs physician judgment

Priority Setting • What action takes priority? • What should the nurse do first? • What should the nurse do initially? • What is essential for the nurse to do? • Look for key words…. • All, nothing, every, always, only, rarely, never.

Sample • All of the following behaviors are typical of a three year old except: • Putting on make up and playing grown up • Reciting address and phone number • Throwing a ball about 5 feet • Identifying animals from a picture book

Sample • A husband was admitted to the ER in DTs. This admission is his third visit in two weeks. While waiting to see her husband, the wife said to the nurse: “What in the world can I do to help my husband get over this drinking problem?”. The best initial response for the nurse is: • “Don’t feel guilty. I know this must be difficult for you”. • “Let’s go into the lounge so we can talk more about your concern”. • “You need to convince him to seek professional help”. • “How long has your husband been drinking?”

Sample • A 58 year old is recovering from a prostatectomy. His urinary output in the past 2 days has been satisfactory. However, the nurse now notices that it is becoming increasingly bloody. The nurse’s first action is to: • Irrigate the foley • Notify the physician • Take vital signs • Empty the drainage bag

WHEN THE TEST IS OVER… • REWARD YOURSELF!!!!

Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies