My Town Tutors is a great resource for parents & teachers. Find qualified tutors in your area today!
July Jokes / July Hashtags / Top July Pages / July Guest Blogs
Learning in today’s digital age has significantly evolved. Unlike before, learners can pursue their degrees and certifications online from the comfort of their homes. Online learning for nurses and other courses allows students to earn their degrees while working or engaging in other activities. However, being an online student comes with endless challenges.
For instance, students should be disciplined and well-organized. Students should also adopt effective study techniques to pass their exams. Consider the following study tips if you are working towards an ABSN degree or any other nursing degree.
1. Enlist the help of tutors
Online nursing students can benefit immensely by seeking the help of tutors. Online nursing courses are rigorous and very challenging. Students should explore and use all the available resources to improve their learning experience. Contrary to the common perception, seeking help from tutors isn’t a sign of weakness. Tutors can provide much-needed guidance, help clarify concepts, and address learning difficulties.
Nursing tutors are knowledgeable and have the necessary experience in the nursing field. Students shouldn’t hesitate to ask questions or ask for detailed explanations if they find some topics confusing. Unlike other learning resources, tutors provide personalized attention, recommend supplementary learning resources, and help students develop better learning strategies.
2. Have a study schedule
Unmatched flexibility is among the many benefits of taking an online nursing program. Unfortunately, most students struggle and can easily fail to meet their objectives without direct supervision. Managing your time effectively is important for the success of online nursing programs. The flexibility offered a graduate certificate in nursing and online programs requires students to create structured study schedules to ensure they maximize their study time.
Without a structured study schedule, you can easily fall behind or become overwhelmed by coursework. Start by reviewing the coursework, upcoming assignments, and other important deadlines. You should then create a studying schedule based on these provisions. Allocate enough time for reading, completing assignments, reviewing class materials, and watching lectures.
Remember to be realistic with your schedule. Include other commitments and daily responsibilities, especially if you have work or a family. Having a study schedule creates a sense of accountability. You can easily prioritize tasks, maintain the study routine, and cover all topics.
3. Create a dedicated study space
Online nursing students should also create a dedicated study space for better results. The studying environment significantly affects productivity, focus, and understanding of concepts. You should choose a well-lit and quiet area in your home for studying. Your study space should be free from distractions and equipped with learning materials and resources.
Organize your learning resources properly, be it notebooks, textbooks, or a computer, to minimize clutter and for easy access. A dedicated study space helps you create a mental association between the space and studying. This improves focus and helps you adopt a productive mindset. You can concentrate and optimize your learning experience.
4. Identify your learning style
If you haven’t identified your learning style yet, you should before you enroll in a nursing school. Students learn differently. Optimizing how you process and retain information can help you pass your nursing exams. Common learning styles include:
- Visual learners: They learn best by seeing demonstrations or creating diagrams of topics. If you are a visual learner, color-coding your notes can help.
- Reading or writing learners: These students learn best by taking notes or writing flashcards when in class. Copying notes by hand before exams can improve the learning outcomes of these students.
- Auditory learners: These learners work best in lecture settings or discussion groups. They thrive and understand concepts better by articulating their ideas or listening to what’s being expressed by others. If you are this type of learner, you should rewatch online classes or create a small online study group.
- Kinesthetic learners: These are hands-on learners who benefit from real-world experiences.
5. Make use of online resources
Studying online means you can access plenty of online resources to enhance your learning experience. You should leverage these resources to supplement your understanding of topics and find new perspectives on various subjects. Academic journals, online textbooks, and research findings provide comprehensive insights that can complement your studies.
Use reputable educational platforms, online videos, and websites that offer interactive learning modules, simulations, and demonstrations to improve your understanding of topics. Online resources help in clarifying concepts and reinforcing learned concepts. However, you should only rely on reputable sources.
6. Form or join study groups
Studying online doesn’t mean you should stay isolated. Collaborating with other students through online study groups is an effective learning strategy for online students. While you can study alone, joining group discussions and other peer-to-peer learning options improves your understanding and content retention.
You should form or join groups of online students with similar academic goals. Fortunately, most learning institutions have online platforms and discussion forums that online students can access. Engaging with other learners allows you to ask questions, seek clarification, and exchange insights on challenging topics.
Taking turns explaining and clarifying concepts helps reinforce understanding and bridges knowledge gaps. Discussing complicated topics with other students improves understanding and critical thinking skills. However, the group should be guided by clearly defined goals and guidelines.
7. Stay motivated and celebrate small achievements
Staying motivated through your studies can prove challenging. Nursing programs are challenging, making it necessary for online students to remain dedicated and enthusiastic. That said, setting short-term goals and celebrating small achievements goes a long way in ensuring that you remain motivated.
Break down large academic goals into small and easily achievable milestones. For instance, you can focus on completing a difficult assignment, improving your score on the next quiz, or understanding a difficult concept. Recognize the successful accomplishment of these small goals and, if possible, reward yourself. Celebrating these achievements boosts motivation and reinforces positive behavior.
Endnote
Online learning programs allow students to complete their degrees without compromising their work or family duties. Unlike synchronous learning programs, online nursing students’ complete coursework and assignments at their convenience. As such, it highly benefits independent and self-directed learners. If you’ve been struggling with your online nursing course, the above tips can help you improve your grades.