ππ HOW I STUDIED & STAY ORGANIZED IN NURSING SCHOOL (4.0 GPA)
TLDRAmanda from beautifulnursing.com shares her strategies for achieving a 4.0 GPA in nursing school. She emphasizes the importance of organization, effective studying, and note-taking techniques, including a Microsoft PowerPoint hack for note conversion. She also discusses her use of an iPad for studying, creating condensed study sheets, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle with self-care and time management. Amanda's tips include utilizing Quizlet flashcards, seeking tutoring when needed, and setting up a productive study environment. She also highlights the significance of mental health support and staying organized with a planner.
Takeaways
- π Prioritize organization and time management to excel in nursing school, as it can help combat the feeling of being overwhelmed by academic demands.
- π Sitting in the front row or close to the professor can enhance focus and audibility, which is beneficial for students who have trouble concentrating or hearing.
- π₯οΈ Utilize technology, such as Microsoft PowerPoint's 'outline' feature, to convert presentations into a list of notes for easier study and review.
- π± Transfer and organize notes digitally using tools like Microsoft Word or Pages, and highlight important topics to facilitate studying.
- π Create a system for condensing extensive notes into concise summaries, which can be further distilled into one-page overviews for focused exam preparation.
- π» Use digital flashcards and quizlet for mobile studying, allowing for efficient use of time during commutes or breaks.
- π Maintain a real-time Excel spreadsheet to track grades and calculate what is needed to pass, helping to manage academic anxiety and stay on top of academic performance.
- π Develop a habit of reviewing weekly outlines and transforming them into potential exam questions, which aids in understanding the weekly learning objectives.
- ποΈββοΈ Incorporate self-care activities like exercise and quiet time into the daily routine to manage stress and maintain mental health.
- π Ensure a conducive study environment and limit distractions by using noise-canceling headphones or creating a dedicated study space.
- π Use a planner with both monthly and weekly views to keep track of assignments, exams, and clinicals, employing a color-coding system for quick reference and organization.
Q & A
What was Amanda's strategy for maintaining focus during lectures?
-Amanda would sit in the front row or as close to the professor as possible to enhance her focus and hearing. She would also sit facing screens to better see what was being presented.
How did Amanda convert PowerPoint presentations into study notes?
-Amanda used the 'Print' function, then selected 'Outline' as the layout option to transform the slides into a list of notes. She would save these as a PDF and then transfer them into Microsoft Word or Pages for further organization and note-taking.
What was Amanda's approach to organizing her study materials?
-Amanda categorized her study materials by topics and exams. She would create new Word documents for each set of topics for different exams and compile them together for final review.
How did Amanda manage her time and assignments?
-Amanda used an Excel spreadsheet to track her grades and assignments in real-time, which helped her stay aware of her progress and what she needed to pass her classes.
What was Amanda's method for condensing information for exams?
-Amanda condensed each disorder and medication into a single page summary, highlighting key information such as pathophysiology, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostics, treatments, medications, and patient education.
How did Amanda handle her clinical rotation preparations?
-Amanda maintained a clinical folder with checklists, clinical documents, and group information. She also used a separate clinical bag to ensure she had everything she needed for her shifts.
What planner hacks did Amanda use to stay organized?
-Amanda used a planner with a monthly and weekly view, color-coded her activities, and created a highlighting system for exams, assignments, quizzes, skills, clinicals, presentations, etc. She also recommended an hour-by-hour weekly layout for better time management.
How did Amanda address the issue of managing her mental health during nursing school?
-Amanda acknowledged the importance of mental health and was open about using antidepressants to help her through nursing school. She also recommended using a medication tracker for those who needed it.
What was Amanda's advice for students struggling with the amount of reading in nursing school?
-Amanda suggested focusing on reading the first paragraph and last paragraph of each chapter, as well as key terms, to manage the large volume of reading assignments.
How did Amanda utilize digital tools for studying?
-Amanda created digital flashcards with Quizlet, which she could review during her commute, while working out, or doing chores. She also used her iPad for note-taking and organization.
What was Amanda's study routine like when she was at home?
-Amanda dedicated specific times for studying at home, usually one to two hours in the evening after spending time with her daughter. She emphasized the importance of self-care and not studying during meals or leisure activities.
Outlines
π Nursing School Survival Tips
Amanda from beautifulnursing.com shares her strategies for achieving a 4.0 GPA in nursing school. She emphasizes the importance of organization and studying effectively, offering a glimpse into her nursing school experience. Key points include sitting in the front row for better focus, using Microsoft PowerPoint's outline view for note-taking, and maintaining an organized system for lectures and study materials. She also suggests creating digital flashcards for on-the-go review and condensing study materials into manageable summaries for each exam.
π Mastering Study Techniques and Time Management
Amanda discusses her study techniques and time management strategies for nursing school. She explains how she used Word documents to compile study materials for different exams and suggests creating digital flashcards for efficient learning. She also shares her method of condensing extensive notes into a single page summary for each disorder and medication, which she could study more effectively. Additionally, she talks about using an iPad for organization and studying, as well as tracking her grades in real-time using an Excel spreadsheet to stay on top of her academic performance.
π₯ Balancing Academics and Personal Life
In this section, Amanda talks about balancing her nursing school workload with her personal life. She describes her daily routine, which includes attending classes, studying in the computer lab, and practicing skills in the skills lab. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, such as taking breaks to recharge and spending quality time with her daughter. Amanda also shares her study habits, such as using Quizlet flashcards during her commute and working out to relieve stress. She advises on creating a conducive study environment and managing social media distractions for better focus.
π Effective Reading and Learning Strategies
Amanda provides strategies for managing the extensive reading load in nursing school. She suggests focusing on the first and last paragraphs of chapters and key terms to filter out unnecessary information. She also discusses the importance of understanding one's learning style and adapting study methods accordingly, whether it's auditory, visual, or tactile. Amanda shares her unique technique of teaching concepts back to her teddy bear as a way to reinforce learning and clarifies the practicality of different learning styles in nursing education.
ποΈ Organizational Hacks for Nursing Students
Amanda offers organizational tips for nursing students, focusing on the use of a planner with monthly and weekly views. She shares her method of color-coding and highlighting different types of academic activities, such as exams, assignments, and clinicals. She also emphasizes the importance of setting alarms for all academic commitments and maintaining a separate clinical bag for easy access to necessary documents. Additionally, she provides a link to a downloadable clinical checklist on her website and encourages using her planner hacks to stay organized and on track.
π Mental Health and Self-Care in Nursing School
Amanda concludes by addressing the mental health challenges of nursing school and the importance of self-care. She candidly discusses her own use of antidepressants and the necessity of mental health support. She encourages students to seek help when needed and to use tools like medication trackers to manage their mental health. Amanda's message is one of understanding and support, reminding students that there is no shame in taking care of their mental health while navigating the demanding environment of nursing school.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Nursing School
π‘Study Techniques
π‘GPA
π‘Organization
π‘Digital Flashcards
π‘Microsoft PowerPoint
π‘Exam Preparation
π‘Time Management
π‘Clinical Rotation
π‘Mental Health
Highlights
Amanda shares her experience and strategies for achieving a 4.0 GPA in nursing school.
She emphasizes the importance of getting organized and effective studying to cope with the challenges of nursing school.
Amanda's technique for turning Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into a list of notes is revealed.
She uses the 'print' function and changes the layout to 'outline' to transform slides into notes.
Amanda prefers using an iPad for note-taking and studying as she is a faster typer than writer.
She organizes her notes by highlighting the topic of the week in green and creating a new Word document for each exam set of topics.
Amanda's method of condensing information down to one page per disorder and medication for each exam is discussed.
She uses digital Quizlet flashcards for studying on the go, especially during her commute.
Amanda shares her technique of keeping an Excel spreadsheet to track her grades in real-time.
She suggests using a binder for all paper material and organizing it with tabs for each class and week.
Amanda's approach to studying involves using her time efficiently, even while eating lunch or working out.
She emphasizes the importance of creating a good study environment and limiting distractions.
Amanda recommends figuring out your learning style and tailoring your study methods accordingly.
She shares a personal strategy of 'teaching back' to a teddy bear to solidify understanding of complex concepts.
Amanda provides tips for staying organized with a planner, including a monthly and weekly view, and color-coding different types of tasks.
She acknowledges the importance of mental health and taking care of oneself during the demanding nursing school journey.
Transcripts
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