7 Essential NCLEX Study Tips
Having been through the wringer of nursing school, you most likely are quite familiar with how to study effectively. However, the studying that you have done thus far may not be up to the standards of what will be required to get in tip top shape for your NCLEX. While there may be some familiar aspects, some fine-tuning very well could be needed in order to make sure that you are on the right path toward passing your boards. With that being said, here are seven essential tips to incorporate into your NCLEX review:
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1. Learn the format / know the breakdown
You wouldn't go into a nursing school exam without knowing what topics you will be tested on, so in similar fashion, be sure you have a foundation of knowledge regarding the breakdown of content to anticipate on the NCLEX. This will provide you with an appropriate foundation and give you a better idea of where you need to be spending the bulk of your time.
More so, make the effort to explore the NCSBN website to learn how the NCLEX compares to assessments you have faced as a nursing school student. This exam tests your knowledge in real time using a computerized adaptive technology, something that is drastically different from any test you have embarked upon as a student. Learning how it is scored, the overall format, and the content breakdown before you go into it will help boost your confidence levels and leave you feeling more prepared than before. Try not to wait until the last minute to review this vital information-the earlier you are aware of what to expect, the better the outcome.
2. Start reviewing early
The more time you dedicate to studying while you are in school, the more review you will have when you have graduated. If you put in the hard work as a student, you can ease off the pedal a little more when you go to review material before your boards.
Consistently looking over lecture notes and study guides from previous exams and touching up on recent information will set you up to be more prepared in the future. Take advantage of the studying you commit to as a student and remember that none of that will go to waste. Study a little bit every day and you will see the compound effect in doing so.
3. Think positively
As trivial as this may sound, your mindset has a lot to do with the ways in which you perceive certain situations. If you tend to tell yourself that "you aren't good enough" or "you're going to fail," eventually, you are going to start believing it. You have to start building your confidence levels now and be certain that you have what it takes to achieve. You have made it this far in your journey-what is one more exam?
Going into your study sessions with an optimistic outlook will increase your productivity and ability to maintain the same positivity when you step forward to take your exam. Do not underestimate the power of your thoughts or words-say kind and encouraging affirmations to yourself and see the impact it can make!
4. Don't neglect practice questions
Even if you learn best by reading in a textbook, at some point, you will need to assess how much material you have retained by applying it to scenarios in questions. Given this is the format of the NCLEX, it is in your best interest to be sure that practice questions are weaved into your study plan in one way or another. While it is important to optimize on the ways in which you acquire information the most efficiently, you need to also be sure that you align those techniques with the format of the exam.
If you go into your NCLEX without taking one single practice question, you are going to feel entirely out of place and drastically underprepared. Do not be that person! Utilize your favorite study tactics, whether that be reading, listening to lectures, flashcards, etc., but make sure you put the information you have retained to the test to see where you are at and what areas you need to improve upon.
5. Take breaks
Studying for the NCLEX is not a sprint, it is a marathon, and you need to prioritize your body just as you would in a physical race. If you wear yourself out before the actual day, your performance is not going to be what it could have been had you paced yourself appropriately. With that being said, if you are currently the type who consistently stays up late, eats junk food, lives a sedentary life, and fails to ever get outside, it is not too late to get on the right path toward investing in yourself. The earlier you take action in your own life, the earlier you will see better results in your academic achievements.
If you have been stuck in the grind of school for too long and do not know how to get out, start small. Start by doing one thing each day that your future self will thank you for-maybe that is drinking more water or going to bed before midnight. Whatever that looks like for you, start with one thing, as changing too many habits at one time can feel overwhelming. Eventually, with small steps, you will realize that you do have the ability to nourish your body and exercise each day without having to give up crucial study time. There is time to do both, but you cannot successfully have one without the other in the long run.
So, do your current and future self a huge favor and start prioritizing your own needs now-you do not need to put yourself on the back burner because you are in nursing school. You deserve to be taken care of, just as you will take care of your patients down the road. Invest in your health and you will find that all areas, including your educational success, will improve with time.
6. Invest in a prep course
If you can do so, investing in a course to prepare you for the NCLEX can be a real game changer. In my own experience, as part of our yearly fees, we as students were required to pay a portion that went toward an NCLEX study course. Because this was essentially chosen for me, I did not have to waste time attempting to sift through and compare which options were most suitable. However, this was incredibly helpful to have as there were various practice exams to go through, and it ended up being a main staple for my study sessions.
A great choice to look into would be EduMind's comprehensive study course. You have the option to choose a course that is taught online by an instructor,or you can go at your own pace with an Ondemand course. Depending on how you learn best, these are excellent opportunities to skyrocket your study sessions and boost your chances of passing your boards.
If you feel as if investing in a course is not within your financial budget, you can also look into free resources online or pay a small amount and purchase an NCLEX study book that aligns with what you are looking for. Moreover, do not forget about all of the various resources that nursing school provided you with: lectures, class notes, textbooks, etc.
Use all of the tools you have gained thus far to your advantage, and look into a prep course if you want to go the extra mile!
7. Create a plan
Last, but certainly not least, design a well-thought-out study plan that aligns with your learning style and stick to it! You will not benefit from simply writing out your plans; you need to also execute the actions that will get you there. Figure out how many weeks or months you prefer to dedicate time to studying, and map out from there when you will schedule your exam. After doing so, use some form of planner to document the ways in which you aim to get from point a to point b in the allotted time frame you have set.
Sit down and think of what days you want to go over certain material, the various techniques that you want to use to study, and where in which you will be spending your study time. Do not leave any details out-the more descriptive, the better the likelihood of sticking to your plan. Being organized and on top of your regimen will allow for more valuable study sessions and give you the ability to visually see where you can implement time to rest and relax.
Nursing school provides you with the foundation of skills necessary to pass your boards. However, it is ultimately up to you to be sure that you are taking the time to learn more in-depth about the essential steps that can seal the gap in being a good studier vs. a great one. Take the time now to incorporate NCLEX techniques that will spring you in the direction toward success!
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