Transcript Study Skills and Test Taking Strategies Kathy Alden, RN, MSN, IBCLC Academic Counselor.

Study Skills and
Test Taking Strategies
Kathy Alden, RN, MSN, IBCLC
Academic Counselor
Preparing for Class
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Look over chapter
Read outline and course
objectives
Do readings, make notes
Look up new terminology
Write down ?’s to ask in class
Getting the Most from
Lectures
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Sit near front
Change seats occasionally
Focus on content, not on
instructor
Be alert for repetition of
concepts
Getting the Most from
Lectures
PAY ATTENTION TO VERBAL TIPS:
reading from text
enumerations
terminology
OBSERVE SUBTLE CUES
louder voice
repeating idea
pausing for you to write
hand gestures
END OF LECTURE: STAY FOCUSED
Tips on Taking Notes
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Clean paper, one side only
Wide margins
Powerpoint slides
Date, title, and number pages
Use abbreviations
Write legibly
Highlight important points (COLOR)
Retype on word processor
Compare with others
LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!
Study Groups
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Forming the group
Conducting the group
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Assign tasks
Test each other
Practice teaching
Compare notes
Brainstorm questions
Set an agenda
Pair off to do book reports
Prepare study questions to teach others
in group
Memory Techniques
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Organize the info
 General
to specific
 Meaningful
 Associations
Memory Techniques
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Use your body
 Learn
actively
 Be relaxed, but mentally alert
 Picture it
 Recite, Repeat, Write
Memory Techniques
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Use your brain
 Reduce
interference
 Use daylight
 Overlearn
 Distribute learning
Memory Techniques
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Recall it
 Remember
in association
 Notice remembering
 Use it or lose it
Before a test…
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Manage review time
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Create review tools
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Daily, weekly, major reviews
Checklists, mind maps, flash
cards
Plan a strategy
Study guides, dry test run,
instructor expectations
 Join a study group
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Before a test….
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Avoid marathon study sessions
Don’t review right before a test
Get a good night’s sleep two
nights before a test
Don’t work the day before
EAT BREAKFAST!!!
During the test…
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Arrive early
Avoid discussing habits with
other students
Jot down memory aids
Scan entire test
Use memory techniques when
stuck
Pace yourself
Multiple Choice Questions
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Answer easy ones first
Answer each question before
looking at answers
Mark a question if you are
having trouble and come back to
it
Only if you have misread the
question should you change
your answer
Guidelines for Test-taking
Success in Nursing School
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Know the parts of the question
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Background, stem, options
Read carefully before looking at
the options
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Key words: except, primary, initial,
best, most
Guidelines for Test-taking
Success in Nursing School
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ID theme of item and use info
given
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Answer difficult questions by
eliminating obviously incorrect
responses first
Guidelines for Test-taking
Success in Nursing School
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Always select the most
therapeutic and respectful
response
Eliminate bizarre, inappropriate,
and punitive responses
Know basic nursing principles
Guidelines for Test-taking
Success in Nursing School
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Manage time
Do not change answers without
good reason
Choose options within realm of
nursing judgment vs physician
judgment
Priority Setting
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What action takes priority?
What should the nurse do first?
What should the nurse do
initially?
What is essential for the nurse
to do?
Look for key words….
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All, nothing, every, always, only,
rarely, never.
Sample
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b.
c.
d.
All of the following behaviors are
typical of a three year old except:
Putting on make up and playing
grown up
Reciting address and phone
number
Throwing a ball about 5 feet
Identifying animals from a picture
book
Sample
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a.
b.
c.
d.
A husband was admitted to the ER in DTs.
This admission is his third visit in two weeks.
While waiting to see her husband, the wife
said to the nurse: “What in the world can I do
to help my husband get over this drinking
problem?”. The best initial response for the
nurse is:
“Don’t feel guilty. I know this must be difficult
for you”.
“Let’s go into the lounge so we can talk more
about your concern”.
“You need to convince him to seek
professional help”.
“How long has your husband been drinking?”
Sample
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A 58 year old is recovering from a
prostatectomy. His urinary output in the past 2
days has been satisfactory. However, the
nurse now notices that it is becoming
increasingly bloody. The nurse’s first action is
to:
a.
Irrigate the foley
Notify the physician
Take vital signs
Empty the drainage bag
b.
c.
d.
WHEN THE TEST IS OVER…
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REWARD YOURSELF!!!!