Learning how to study for nursing school is critical because the fast-paced curriculum requires you to make the most of your time. Some nursing school tips for studying include using active recall and spaced repetition, joining a study group, and answering practice NCLEX questions each day.
During nursing school, you’ll have to juggle many different obligations, from classes and labs to clinicals and studying. It’s important to know how to study for nursing school effectively so you can optimize your time. Using active study strategies, for example, can improve knowledge retention and the quality of study sessions.
At Concordia University Texas, we offer extensive student support resources. While you’re enrolled in our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track, you’ll have access to Academic Success Coaches who can help you improve your study techniques and time management skills.
First, consider why studying in nursing school is different. Then, use 10 of the top nursing school tips for making the most of each study session.
What is an ABSN track, and is it right for you?
Why Studying in Nursing School Is Different
Knowing how to study in a nursing program is critical because nursing school is unlike other programs. It requires the integration of theory and practice. You’ll need to learn nursing theory and understand how to apply it in clinical situations. Additionally, if enrolled in an accelerated program, such as Concordia Texas’s ABSN track, the curriculum is fast-paced and does not include breaks between semesters.
10 Tips on How to Study for Nursing School
To help you keep pace with the curriculum and excel in nursing school, try these 10 tips for studying smarter:
1. Create a Weekly Study Schedule
Every nursing student must organize their time with a weekly schedule. In addition to all your classes, labs, and clinicals, block off time for assignments, reading, reviewing, and answering practice NCLEX-RN exam questions. You can use whatever tools work best for you, such as apps or physical day planners.
2. Focus on Understanding, Not Memorizing
While studying often requires rote memorization, in nursing school, it’s essential to remember the importance of clinical application. It’s best to focus on understanding the material and how it fits into a clinical context. Look for real-world case studies and consider using concept maps and diagrams.
3. Use Active Recall and Spaced Repetition
When considering how to study for nursing school, the importance of using active study techniques cannot be overstated. Passive studying involves activities such as rereading the required reading assignments. While this is helpful to a point, it doesn’t reinforce the concepts in your memory.
Instead, try techniques like active recall, which involves retrieving information from your memory to strengthen memory retention. Active recall techniques include taking practice tests and teaching the material to someone else, such as a member of your study group. You can also use flashcards.
Brain dumping can also be helpful. This involves closing your book after you’ve read a section, then, without referring to the book, writing down as much information as you can remember.
Spaced repetition is another great study technique. It involves reviewing information at intervals to reinforce memory retention. For example, use active recall techniques at these times:
- Immediately after a lesson
- The next day
- Three days later
- One week later
4. Practice NCLEX-Style Questions Regularly
Try to answer at least a few NCLEX-RN practice questions each day. Take a few full-length practice exams toward the end of your time in nursing school. This will build self-confidence and help you understand how questions are structured and how to work through them.
5: Join or Form a Study Group
A study group can provide both accountability and support. Join or form a study group with fellow members of your nursing cohort. Your study group can talk through nursing concepts and use the peer-teaching strategy to increase learning retention.
Consider these 9 factors when choosing a nursing track.
6.Prioritize Sleep and Self-Care
Burnout can affect nursing students just as much as working nurses. It’s important to get enough sleep each night; don’t sacrifice sleep for the sake of bolstering your study time, as it will be counterproductive. Sleep is essential for cognitive health. It improves learning, memory retention, concentration, attention span, and problem-solving skills.
Along with getting enough sleep, be sure to prioritize other aspects of wellness. Eat healthy meals, practice stress-reduction techniques, limit caffeine, and avoid alcohol.
7. Review Lecture Notes Within 24 Hours
When taking notes during class, you shouldn’t try to write down every word. Instead, write down major concepts. Then, fill in the gaps after the class while the material is fresh in your mind, and supplement it with notes from the required reading. Review your notes at least once within 24 hours to reinforce the concepts in your memory.
8. Use Multiple Learning Resources
At Concordia University Texas, our ABSN track students already have access to multiple learning resources, ranging from lecture videos to textbooks to discussion forums. These various elements can appeal to different learning preferences. You can also supplement the learning resources you’ll receive at school with others found online. For example, there are plenty of apps for nursing students, as well as podcasts that can help you dig deeper into nursing concepts.
9. Stay Organized With a Study Binder or Digital Folder
One great advantage of attending a hybrid nursing program with online coursework is that staying organized can be easier. You can create an organized system of digital folders for your notes, assignments, and other learning materials. If you do wind up having physical notes and handouts, however, you can organize them into a study binder. Use whatever organizational system works best for you, such as color coding.
10. Seek Help Early When You’re Struggling
If you’re struggling to keep up with the curriculum, seek help right away. Waiting will only worsen the problem. Talk to your instructors and make use of any school support services, such as tutors. At Concordia University Texas, we offer Academic Success Coaches to facilitate our students’ progress and help them learn how to study in nursing school effectively.
Final Thoughts
These nursing school tips can help you survive and thrive during nursing school. If the fast pace starts to feel overwhelming, remember to study strategically using active techniques. Keep your mind on your goal of becoming a nurse and cultivate persistence, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
FAQs About Studying as a Nursing Student
After learning how to study in nursing school, you may still have some lingering questions.
How Many Hours Should I Study in Nursing School?
Nursing students often spend between 40 and 60 hours per week in classes, labs, clinicals, studying, and homework sessions. The amount of time each student needs to study varies, as everyone has different academic strengths. Expect to spend several hours studying each weekday, with more study time on the weekends.
What Are the Best Apps for Nursing Students?
There are many helpful apps for nursing students, including Picmonic, Nursing Central, Epocrates, and NCLEX-RN Mastery.
How Do I Balance Clinicals and Studying?
You’ll need a detailed schedule for each day of the week. Each Sunday, write down all clinical shifts and other obligations for the coming week. Then, look for blocks of time that you can devote to studying.
Earn Your Nursing Degree at Concordia University Texas
Concordia University Texas offers extensive student support to help our nursing students succeed. With fully equipped labs, attentive faculty, dedicated admissions counselors, and Academic Success Coaches, our nursing school is a top choice for learners who are switching careers.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, the ABSN track might be right for you. Contact our admissions counselors today to learn more and get started.