I'm in nursing school and have a lot of trouble focusing to study. Any hints on how to improve my habits?

Study groups are what got me through nursing school!! I had the same trouble as you. It's tough material, alot to absorb. After awhile my brain would just shut off & I couldn't focus.
We had some study groups, & it really helped. You don't want too many people, cuz then it just turns into a chat session, or everyone wants to talk at once.
I found I retained alot more info that way.
It also helps if your instructors let you tape classes. Then you can listen to stuff, rather than just trying to read all the material.

Good Luck!!! :-)
(And don't give up!! It's tough, but very well worth it!)

Write out a schedule and STICK TO IT. That's the very best thing you can do for yourself.

you should just imagine the time u fail all the subject and u sad while ur frenz is clebrating.

Some study tips:
Attempt to study 15 minutes at a time throughout a day.
Break up course assignments up into parts.
Use flashcards and outlines.
Review class notes before you go to bed at night.

I have been in nursing school, and from my experiece its very hard. What kept me studying was getting note cards...and just look at them while watching tv, driving (not very safe, but possible), i took them every where i went....my books were my note cards. Note cards are a lot easier to carry then books. Good Luck!

First of all, don't try to study for hours at a time. Believe me, it doesn't work. :-P Your brain can't take it! It will need a break so it won't short circuit with a wealth of information bombarding it. Try studying in 15 or 20 minute intervals and take a 5 minute break. Listen to music, throw a load of clothes in the washer, or grab a snack while you take a break to calm your nerves (or frustration) and re-energize.

The next important thing is to study every day. If you study a little bit everyday, and review what you learned every week, by the time a test rolls a round, you won't have to study harder because you studied smarter by reviewing your notes on a daily basis.

Try to find a classroom or a place in your University's Library where you can solve problems on a chalk/whiteboard. It helps to see a problem written out in large print versus trying to work it out with paper and pencil. And, if your studying with others, they will be able to explain your mistakes, explain something to you, or be taught by you.

Also, review your notes before and after class. And, try to keep up with the reading. The lecture can be more informative to you if you go to class with an idea of what to expect. And, if there is something you don't understand, you'll be able to ask the professor questions about the topic he/she is going to lecture about. This also means they'll be more prepared to answer your question since they may have particular slides or overhead diagrams concerning your question to show the class.

Here are some ideas you can try with note taking:
Some people rewrite their notes. When my mother was in Nursing School, she rewrote her notes too. She said it helped a lot. It reinforces the material you just learned.
I like to write little comments to myself in my science books or notebooks. Sometimes they're funny and sometimes their serious. But, the essential thing is that I remember what I read or heard in class because I linked the material to something else. I modified this a bit from another note taking method.
In this other method you divide your paper in half. On one side you write your class notes. On the other side you write what you grasped from the material or if it reminded you of something in another class or even from your life.

You can also try studying with other people. These people don't necessarily have to be your friends. In fact, it might be better if they weren't real good friends of yours because you might be able to stay on topic and study better with people you only know from class. But, if your studying with people in your major, your bound to make at least one good friend who will not only keep you on track with studying, but also support you when the times get rough.

When I do study with friends (cause it happens no matter what) I tend to study with people who either have different majors from me or are studying a different subject. We study quietly for about 10 minutes at a time. Then we bounce ideas, concepts, theories, or etc. off each other (whether we're interested or not :-P). Even though I don't know the first thing about Chinese verbs or Business Law, it helps us to voice out loud what we're studying because we're reinforcing concepts and so forth. It also makes us feel smarter (and, therefore more confident) to know that we have explained something to our "study partners".

Finally, some people can't concentrate with noise in the background, such as a t.v. or music. Other people prefer it. If you know you will be distracted by your favorite show or movie playing on t.v. or by one of your favorite songs playing, then don't even tempt yourself. On the other hand, it might keep you from being distracted by other time consumers, such as surfing the internet or socializing with family and friends.

Different people study in different ways. Find what works best for you and stick to it. If your determined enough, you will find a way to get through nursing school despite the challenges you have at the moment with studying.

Sorry this is so long. Study habit after study habit that I have learned and use kept popping into my head. :-)

Best of luck in your Nursing endeavors,
Aino

I used to have to mix it up, when I went to nursing school... sometimes we would take out NCLEX (review books for nsg boards, that are mult choice) and quiz each other, sometimes, I would just rewrite my notes more legibly, did more studying from my notes, than the text it seems..., also I used to tape my lectures, so I could listen to them in the car, or in my room... you need variety, if I just tried to sit and read text each night, I just ended up cleaning my dorm room or whatever, like you-not focusing...

Good Luck, I ve been a nurse for 14 years, and I love it (most days)