Study everyday without fail. Read through the material that will be covered in the next class ahead of time, then consult with your professor during or after class about any material you're having trouble understanding. Determine the subjects you find difficult and set extra time aside during the week to focus specifically on them. Utilize any study materials your professor makes available, such as weekly review emails or practice tests posted online. Take a USB flash drive with you to class if your professor uses a Power Point Presentation and ask for a copy of the file.
Join a study group. Study group notices are often posted on community boards around campus; you can also ask your professors if they have any study-group recommendations. Find a group that is covering the same classes or year of nursing school you're currently in, or else the material may not be relevant to your needs. Identify members in the group who have mastered a subject, and ask them for help. For example, ask someone who has successfully passed a practice test to help you prepare for the same test.
Identify your ideal learning method. There are three learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Auditory learners learn best by listening, and may benefit from recording a class using a recorder or cell phone. Visual learners should focus on making extensive notes, and comparing them frequently to textbooks, graphs and other materials. Kinesthetic learners may find their learning style most difficult, as they require a hands-on approach, which is ideal during clinicals, but not during late-night rote memorization sessions. You can determine your learning style by taking the test provided in the "Resources" section below.
Devote a location specifically to studying. By studying in the same location frequently, you'll quickly slip into a learning mindset when in that location, and may find it easier to get your work done. Your study location should be somewhere quiet and private where you'll unlikely to be interrupted by passing individuals, televisions or other nuisances.
Ask for help. Nurses have been through the very classes you're taking now, and will often be more than eager to share their knowledge and "insider" tips with you. Ask about specific areas you might have concerns with, such as surviving clinicals or memorizing hundreds of medical terms without getting them jumbled together. Some nursing schools offer an on-campus help center where volunteer or staff workers will help you for free or for little cost.
Get to know your professors. Introduce yourself on the first day, ask them about their goals for class, their expectations and how you can best work with them to get through the class. Showing initiative and introducing yourself means you'll be more than a random name on a test paper. Utilize your professor's office hours, and consult with them immediately about any misunderstandings, confusion or frustration. Communication is key.