Preparing for the licensing exam (practical nursing) was one of the most nerve wracking experiences of  my life. The length of it alone was enough to make any one sweat! It was comforting to know many of my classmates were writing in the same location….you know, for moral support!

Once you graduate it is easy to put all the work aside, because you just spent the last year working your butts off! But, I tell you it is much easier to continue with studying. If you take too much time off, it really is hard to get your mind in it again. If you make a point to do some reviewing often, your mind will stay fresh and have an easier time remembering things.

Of course, you do deserve some a break, so take time for that too

You achieved something great by making it through the program, because man, it was intense! I never thought my brain could retain SO much information, but it did! So pat yourselves on the back and go out with your classmates for a margarita….or two

The best things I used during studying were the exam prep guides. Yes, I said guides. I know the school provides you with one (the most current one I believe), but there are also other editions. I am not sure if they have made any more now, but at my time there was 3 editions. I was lucky enough to track down the other ones to use!

The exam questions are exactly like that! Next blog post I will talk more about my experience with the exam and share some other useful tips.

How did I do it?

Most importantly, I stuck to a schedule. I literally did the same thing every day, during the same times.

I would drop off the kids, go to school, pick up the kids, play with the kids, cook dinner, put the kids to bed and then STUDY! During this study time I was not to be disturbed. I dedicated a solid 3 hours or more to reading and work I had to do for school. My days were so busy and I was exhausted by the end of it, but I made it through. (And did quite well you know, top of the class!)

Of course, a schedule alone is not going to make you do well at school. You need to do the work and understand the work! There was SO much reading to do, how on earth can one remember everything in the numerous chapters we needed to read? Well, you can’t. It is not possible and you need to understand that right away.  Yes, you really do need to read it all, but make your highlighter your best friend! If there is something you read that you feel is important, highlight it and leave the rest alone!! lol

Even though your teacher may not check your homework or punish you if it is not done, do it! You may say that you will do it another time, but you won’t. The work will pile up and you will not be able to step back to complete it, you need to keep moving forward. And, your teachers give you the work for a reason….things may pop up again in a future test!!

Think of it this way. You do the reading (learning the information the first time), you write the answers (learning the information the second time) and you go over it in class (learning the information the third time). That is three times learning the same information. Chances are you are not going to forget it! Doing the work, will make your life much easier, and trust me you will see your work pay off.

Until next time….get reading!