Study Skills and Study Skills and Test Taking StrategiesTest Taking Strategies

Kathy Alden, RN, MSN, IBCLCKathy Alden, RN, MSN, IBCLC

Academic CounselorAcademic Counselor

Preparing for ClassPreparing for Class

Look over chapter Look over chapter Read outline and course Read outline and course

objectivesobjectives Do readings, make notesDo readings, make notes Look up new terminologyLook up new terminology Write down ?’s to ask in classWrite down ?’s to ask in class

Getting the Most from Getting the Most from LecturesLectures

Sit near frontSit near front Change seats occasionallyChange seats occasionally Focus on content, not on Focus on content, not on

instructorinstructor Be alert for repetition of Be alert for repetition of

conceptsconcepts

Getting the Most from Getting the Most from LecturesLecturesPAY ATTENTION TO VERBAL TIPS:PAY ATTENTION TO VERBAL TIPS:

reading from textreading from textenumerationsenumerationsterminologyterminology

OBSERVE SUBTLE CUESOBSERVE SUBTLE CUESlouder voicelouder voicerepeating idearepeating idea

pausing for you to writepausing for you to write hand gestureshand gesturesEND OF LECTURE: STAY FOCUSEDEND OF LECTURE: STAY FOCUSED

Tips on Taking NotesTips on Taking Notes

Clean paper, one side onlyClean paper, one side only Wide marginsWide margins Powerpoint slidesPowerpoint slides Date, title, and number pagesDate, title, and number pages Use abbreviationsUse abbreviations Write legiblyWrite legibly Highlight important points (COLOR)Highlight important points (COLOR) Retype on word processorRetype on word processor Compare with othersCompare with others LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!

Study GroupsStudy Groups

Forming the groupForming the group Conducting the groupConducting the group

Assign tasksAssign tasks Test each otherTest each other Practice teachingPractice teaching Compare notesCompare notes Brainstorm questionsBrainstorm questions Set an agendaSet an agenda Pair off to do book reportsPair off to do book reports Prepare study questions to teach others Prepare study questions to teach others

in groupin group

Memory TechniquesMemory Techniques

Organize the infoOrganize the info

General to specificGeneral to specificMeaningfulMeaningfulAssociationsAssociations

Memory TechniquesMemory Techniques

Use your bodyUse your body

Learn activelyLearn activelyBe relaxed, but mentally alertBe relaxed, but mentally alertPicture itPicture itRecite, Repeat, WriteRecite, Repeat, Write

Memory TechniquesMemory Techniques

Use your brainUse your brain

Reduce interferenceReduce interferenceUse daylightUse daylightOverlearnOverlearnDistribute learningDistribute learning

Memory TechniquesMemory Techniques

Recall itRecall it

Remember in associationRemember in associationNotice rememberingNotice rememberingUse it or lose itUse it or lose it

Before a test…Before a test…

Manage review timeManage review time Daily, weekly, major reviewsDaily, weekly, major reviews

Create review toolsCreate review tools Checklists, mind maps, flash Checklists, mind maps, flash

cardscards Plan a strategyPlan a strategy

Study guides, dry test run, Study guides, dry test run, instructor expectationsinstructor expectations

Join a study groupJoin a study group

Before a test….Before a test….

Avoid marathon study sessionsAvoid marathon study sessions Don’t review right before a testDon’t review right before a test Get a good night’s sleep two Get a good night’s sleep two

nights before a testnights before a test Don’t work the day beforeDon’t work the day before EAT BREAKFAST!!!EAT BREAKFAST!!!

During the test…During the test…

Arrive earlyArrive early Avoid discussing habits with Avoid discussing habits with

other studentsother students Jot down memory aidsJot down memory aids Scan entire testScan entire test Use memory techniques when Use memory techniques when

stuckstuck Pace yourselfPace yourself

Multiple Choice QuestionsMultiple Choice Questions

Answer easy ones firstAnswer easy ones first Answer each question before Answer each question before

looking at answerslooking at answers Mark a question if you are Mark a question if you are

having trouble and come back to having trouble and come back to itit

Only if you have misread the Only if you have misread the question should you change question should you change your answeryour answer

Guidelines for Test-taking Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing SchoolSuccess in Nursing School

Know the parts of the questionKnow the parts of the question Background, stem, optionsBackground, stem, options

Read carefully before looking at Read carefully before looking at the optionsthe options Key words: except, primary, initial,Key words: except, primary, initial,

best, mostbest, most

Guidelines for Test-taking Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing SchoolSuccess in Nursing School

ID theme of item and use info ID theme of item and use info givengiven

Answer difficult questions by Answer difficult questions by eliminating obviously incorrect eliminating obviously incorrect responses firstresponses first

Guidelines for Test-taking Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing SchoolSuccess in Nursing School

Always select the most Always select the most therapeutic and respectful therapeutic and respectful responseresponse

Eliminate bizarre, inappropriate, Eliminate bizarre, inappropriate, and punitive responsesand punitive responses

Know basic nursing principlesKnow basic nursing principles

Guidelines for Test-taking Guidelines for Test-taking Success in Nursing SchoolSuccess in Nursing School

Manage timeManage time Do not change answers without Do not change answers without

good reasongood reason Choose options within realm of Choose options within realm of

nursing judgment vs physician nursing judgment vs physician judgmentjudgment

Priority SettingPriority 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 What should the nurse do

initially?initially? What is essential for the nurse to What is essential for the nurse to

do?do? Look for key words….Look for key words….

All, nothing, every, always, only, All, nothing, every, always, only, rarely, never.rarely, never.

SampleSample

All of the following behaviors are All of the following behaviors are typical of a three year old except:typical of a three year old except:

a.a. Putting on make up and playing Putting on make up and playing grown upgrown up

b.b. Reciting address and phone Reciting address and phone numbernumber

c.c. Throwing a ball about 5 feetThrowing a ball about 5 feet

d.d. Identifying animals from a picture Identifying animals from a picture bookbook

SampleSample

A husband was admitted to the ER in DTs. A husband was admitted to the ER in DTs. This admission is his third visit in two weeks. This admission is his third visit in two weeks. While waiting to see her husband, the wife While waiting to see her husband, the wife said to the nurse: “What in the world can I do said to the nurse: “What in the world can I do to help my husband get over this drinking to help my husband get over this drinking problem?”. The best initial response for the problem?”. The best initial response for the nurse is:nurse is:

a.a. ““Don’t feel guilty. I know this must be difficult Don’t feel guilty. I know this must be difficult for you”.for you”.

b.b. ““Let’s go into the lounge so we can talk more Let’s go into the lounge so we can talk more about your concern”.about your concern”.

c.c. ““You need to convince him to seek You need to convince him to seek professional help”.professional help”.

d.d. ““How long has your husband been drinking?”How long has your husband been drinking?”

SampleSample

A 58 year old is recovering from a A 58 year old is recovering from a prostatectomy. His urinary output in the past prostatectomy. His urinary output in the past 2 days has been satisfactory. However, the 2 days has been satisfactory. However, the nurse now notices that it is becoming nurse now notices that it is becoming increasingly bloody. The nurse’s first action is increasingly bloody. The nurse’s first action is to:to:

a.a. Irrigate the foleyIrrigate the foley

b.b. Notify the physicianNotify the physician

c.c. Take vital signsTake vital signs

d.d. Empty the drainage bagEmpty the drainage bag

WHEN THE TEST IS OVER…WHEN THE TEST IS OVER…

REWARD YOURSELF!!!!REWARD YOURSELF!!!!