Student Success Skills
Changes, Choices and Challenges
February 28, 2004
Dr. Mary Moss
Outline of Presentation
IntroductionsTime ManagementStudy SkillsReading and MemoryTest Taking SkillsQuick Tips to be a successful studentPreparing for NCLEX- RN
Time Management
Each person, rich or poor, has exactly the same number of hours in a week.
168 hours in a week168 hours in a week
It’s your time…
It’s your choice!
Time ManagementIt is not how fast you are going, It is not how fast you are going,
but where you are headingbut where you are heading
Important and urgent Important but not urgent Urgent but not important Not urgent and not important
Time ManagementApproach time as if you are in control
Calendar Know your time
wasters Get organized Learn to say “No” Focus Perfection
Procrastination
Get a calendar or a planner
Make lists Chunk your work Set small goals and
write them down Reward yourself
Study Skills
There is so much to remember!
ReadingCreate a dialogue between you and the author
Read with a pencil in your hand
Read out loud –this is always helpful
Notice the paragraphing in the text
Skim and scan Learn to read charts
and diagrams
Taking notesObserve, Record, Review
Separate key ideas from Supporting evidence
Leave extra space Label course number and
name and instructor on all notes
Use graphic signals Try Concept Mapping
How is your memory
Mnemonics Simple, vivid, and meaningful Associative mnemonics Make a word Make a sentence Number mnemonics
Review Tools Flash Cards Post It Notes Color Coded Noted Read Aloud Predict Questions from your notes -Ask
yourself – What could they ask for this topic?
TEACHERS ARE
YOUR FRIENDS
Remember this!
Plan a study scheduleand stick to it!
Don’t cram at the last minute – this increases anxiety and doesn’t lead to lasting results
Set aside planned time for each assignment or test
Get a study buddy! Someone that actually studies would be good
Test Taking Skills
I just hate tests!!!!
I just love tests!!!!
Preparing for a Test
Invest the study time Don’t reinforce
negative self talk Controlling your
anxiety is all about managing your reviews
Overlearn! Know the format of the
test
Before a Test Get a full nights sleep Decrease caffeine Establish a Routine the
day of a test Listen to relaxing music
or turn the radio off Get there early Choose a comfortable
spot
Before a test
Allow for quiet time
Deep Breathing, Muscle Relaxation
Read or think of something funny
Personalities of Test Takers The Rusher The Turtle The Personalizer The Squisher The Philosopher The Second Guesser The Lawyer
Tips for Multiple Choice Tests Pay attention to the stem or the question You should spend no more than about a minute
per multiple choice question Cover up the options Understand what destructors are Eliminate options ( 100%) Recheck the match between the stem and the
option
During the Test
Keep your physical and emotional anxiety in check
During the Test Scan the entire test – get familiar Read the directions slowly Mark on the test if you are able Highlight Key words – Always, 1st priority Try to answer the question before looking at the
options Concentrate on one question at a time No carry over! Don’t change your answers
Do you have Test Anxiety? Test anxiety is both mental and physical Racing heart, sweating, cannot think, blank out,
or forgetting everything you studied Yell “STOP” Daydream, visualize Focus on one thing completely (Lamaze) Praise yourself Make the anxiety Absurd Tense and Relax
During the Test Answer all of the questions When in doubt pick the most complete answer Eliminate wrong answers Select answers within the realm of nursing Don’t waste too much time on any one question.
Circle it and go back to it. Most test questions have 3 parts:
The client or Situation The issue or question – What are they asking? The options or distracters
QUICK TIPS to be a Successful Student
QUICK TIPS
Get control of your stressors
Remember you are in control
Don’t associate your self worth with an “A”
Don’t skip class or review sessions
Empower Yourself I put in the time - I know the material - I
can do well on this test Keep a positive attitude Visualize your success Set your goals and tell others about your
goals
Preparing for NCLEX-RN
Winner set goals
Establish plans and
Take control…..
Strategies for NCLEX Long term reviews –
last minute cramming doesn’t work
Review books or a review class
Prepare yourself – your career is a big investment
Registered NurseFirst I thought I could.First I thought I could.
Then I thought I Then I thought I couldn’t.couldn’t.
I was right both times!I was right both times!