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

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

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

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

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

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

Memory Techniques Organize the info Organize the info General to specific General to specific Meaningful Meaningful Associations Associations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing School ID theme of item and use info given ID theme of item and use info given Answer difficult questions by eliminating obviously incorrect responses first 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 Always select the most therapeutic and respectful response Eliminate bizarre, inappropriate, and punitive responses Eliminate bizarre, inappropriate, and punitive responses Know basic nursing principles Know basic nursing principles

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

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

Sample All of the following behaviors are typical of a three year old except: All of the following behaviors are typical of a three year old except: a. Putting on make up and playing grown up b. Reciting address and phone number c. Throwing a ball about 5 feet d. 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: 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: a. “Don’t feel guilty. I know this must be difficult for you”. b. “Let’s go into the lounge so we can talk more about your concern”. c. “You need to convince him to seek professional help”. d. “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: 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: a. Irrigate the foley b. Notify the physician c. Take vital signs d. Empty the drainage bag

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