Learning techniques for all students, especially nurses, pertaining to the most important and the best way to manage your study techniques by yourself, or with your colleagues, instructors, patients, staff, and other medical disciplines.

1. FOR FUTURE NURSES
D. D. Millett, RN, BS

2. THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BY FAR BEST STUDY
TECHNIQUES BEGIN WITH YOU:
1. Getting the correct amount of sleep:

3. 2. Eating
well
balancing
meals:
(even while
studying!
Combining
two activities
at one time!)

4. 3. Exercising
(will decrease
stress and
keep you
healthy; and
there is that
text book
again!)

5. 4. Listening to your body, i.e.,
,hydrate yourself. Water:
IMPROVES YOUR MUCH NEEDED
CONCENTRATION AND PROCESSING
IMPROVES YOUR MOOD AND EMOTIONS
IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF YOUR SLEEP
IMPROVES YOUR, UH…OH, YEA, MEMORY
INCREASING THE FLOW OF OXYGEN TO
YOUR BRAIN

6. TAKE 5 – 10 MINUTE STUDY BREAKS
EVERY HOUR.

7. ORGANIZATION, PRIORITIZATION & DISCIPLINE
You ABSOLUTELY MUST BE ORGANIZED with
all of your study materials, texts, highlighters,
notebooks, pens and pencils, Microsoft Suite
(if possible), computer, paper clips, spiral
bound notebooks to hold your organized
papers/notes, ruler, calculator, and a
MEDICAL DICTIONARY ~ this may a Taber’s or
another type…BUT GET ONE if you have not
already!!
~ TABER’S MEDICAL DICTIONARY is a life saver! And
putting stars or writing along the border of the dictionary
word you looked up will decrease your need to read the
entire definition the next time.
~ Do NOT just read the definition but

8. YOU MUST:
ORGANIZE AND
PRIORITIZE
YOUR TIME
IN ORDER TO
SURVIVE
NURSING SCHOOL!

9. Prioritizing your life must be your first
priority!! In all seriousness, you can no
longer sit for leisure, with long hours of
watching TV or go out on a Saturday night.
Nursing school is, and will be, your TOP
priority. Learn to say “No” to things or
events that will take time away from your
studying.

10. If you are unable to prioritize and
comprehend that nursing school is a full-
time commitment, then you had better
think long and hard about why are sitting
here during this presentation. Doing your
homework, reviewing your notes daily,
reading and preparing for class, lab, or
clinical the following day is MANDATORY!

12. NURSING SCHOOL IS A MARATHON,
NOT A SPRINT. YOU MUST
ORGANIZE, PRIORITIZE, AND BE
DISCIPLINED. THEY SAY
FORMING A HABIT TAKES
21 – 30 DAYS…MAKE
STUDYING YOURS!

13. THE BEST WAY TO SUCCEED IN
STUDYING:
Go to class, every class, every day.
Be on time for classes and exams.
Sit towards the center, front row.
Avoid any classroom distractions
and be able to focus on what
instructor is saying.

15. If you are allowed, record the lectures. In addition, get involved
with the class and ask questions.
Take excellent notes in class, without distraction or doodling.
Read all assignments the day before that lecture is scheduled.
Every night, review the notes from the lecture of the prior day.

17. In addition to rereading that
day’s notes and the text,
complete assignments, class
material, or any homework due
the following day. This way,
you will be better equipped to
understand what your
instructor is trying to teach you
and you will be able to
formulate any questions that
you may have. In other words,
PLANNING AHEAD EQUALS
SUCCESS AND TOP

18. REMEMBER…
The technique for note taking: draw a vertical line
2/3 of the way into the paper, and write down your
own quiz questions there to ensure you can answer
– by either writing it down or stating the answer
aloud – every question you wrote for that lecture.
Review your notes, including your questions, every
day at least two times, if possible.

19. This technique may be used for your text books too.
You may write questions to yourself pertaining to the
material outside of the borders of the text itself.
REVIEW your text everyday as well, and answer your
own invented questions. Read, read, and read again.
Proper study techniques must become ingrained in you
and become a necessary habit.

20. It is the quality of the
time you spend time
you spend studying,
NOT necessarily the
quantity – turn off the
TV, stereo and the
cell phone.

21. Studying, reading,
rereading,
understanding the
content, and note
taking, all take a lot
of time; but, your
future patients will
thank you.

22. PROPER STUDY TECHNIQUES TAKE TIME AND MUST
BECOME A HABIT…
BUT YOU WILL BE
THRILLED
WITH THE
RESULTS!