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Tutoring and Additional Campus Resources

Brain Fuse is a resource available to students via a link to the left. If you still need to explore the variety of resources available at your campus, please make an appointment with your academic advisor. They can help connect you with resources you may need to learn about, including tutors, writing centers, peer mentors, or the Trio program. We want YOU to be successful.

One of the most significant resources you have is your peers. I suggest that you form study groups or partnerships. These connections will prove invaluable as you continue your studies in all classes and beyond into your career and life. Here is some information on successful study groups.

Time management strategies

One method that works for most is the time block method. To use this method, assign each block of time in your day to a task. These tasks can be anything from study time to exercise. Here are some more time management tips. The time to complete each module may vary from week to week. To get the most out of the materials presented and earn the best grade, you should spend 8-12 hours on the reading, assignments, videos, and class time each week.

Use the Canvas Calendar and create alerts on your phone or your computer for lesson due dates or anything else you think you might forget! Set up your Notifications in Canvas (Links to an external site.). (You can receive notifications via text (Links to an external site.).)

Study Strategies

Practice Retrieving New Learning from Memory: "Retrieval practice" means self-quizzing. "Retrieving knowledge and skill from memory should become your primary study strategy instead of rereading." You can do this by stopping during a study or review session to ask yourself questions. You can also write or sketch everything you know and review the course materials.
Space Out Your Retrieval Practice: "Spaced practice means studying information more than once but leaving considerable time between practice sessions." As you easily understand, cramming for an exam doesn't fit this model. To implement this technique, you should establish a self-quizzing schedule. Short-term study sessions are highly effective, 15-20 minutes. Review your notes and significant points of a chapter. Frequent review helps to retain and retrieve information more effectively.
Interleave the Study of Different Problem Types: "If you find yourself falling into single-minded, repetitive practice of a particular topic or skill, change it up: mix in the practice of other subjects, other skills, constantly challenging your ability to recognize the problem type and select the right solution." You can do this by switching ideas or topics every 15 minutes. Make sure you understand the subject before the next concept.
Find or create a visual to represent the topic or concept. Using mnemonics can help, too, such as OLD CARTS. "OLD CARTS" is a mnemonic device used by providers to guide their interview of a patient while documenting a history of present illness. The letters stand for onset, location, duration, characteristic, alleviating and aggravating factors, radiation or relieving factors, timing, and severity.
To actively read, one must preview the material by skimming the text, estimating the difficulty, and determining the main idea. Highlight important passages and look up unfamiliar words. Annotate or make notes by making connections, asking questions, and summarizing. You can watch this video to learn more. Active Reading.

Nurse Licensing Examination or NCLEX

Passing the NCLEX is your final destination of nursing school. The exam uses the Clinical Judgment model to make questions. The questions have different formats than you might be used to. Please watch this video from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing on the types of questions you will see.