Purchase your own textbooks. School textbooks can be expensive, so you may be tempted to just share them with another student, but you should buy your own if you possibly can. A textbook is one of your best keys to understanding the material. The ability to make notes directly on a page of text or to highlight specific paragraphs and ideas can be highly useful. Nursing textbooks can also be invaluable after you have graduated and wish to study for your state licensing exam. However, make sure you have the correct edition of the textbook. Older books can have outdated information that may no longer be accurate. Bring each book to each class if you possibly can. A nursing instructor may go over materials quickly, so a textbook can help clarify meaning. Read current issues of magazines devoted to nursing as well. This extra reading can help you understand how certain issues are dealt with once you become a practicing nurse.
Build on a foundation. The nursing curriculum is designed to lead from one field of knowledge to the next. Once you have mastered one subject, you should be able to progress to the next. Make sure you understand all the material being taught. If you are having trouble with microbiology techniques, resolve any problems before you take another class in the subject, because you will be tested on the basics as well as the additional information. Bring up any questions you have with the instructor during class time. If you are still having problems, questions or concerns, address them with the instructor after class. If you have difficulty mastering material in specific areas, consider hiring a tutor for those subjects.
Set aside a specific time each day to study the day's materials. If you are living at home, designate a space in your house where you can dedicate an hour of study time each day. The area should be quiet and free from distractions and should include a place to put your study materials within easy reach. If anything is unclear from your daily notes, consider calling a classmate to review the materials you may have missed or failed to understand. If you are living in a dorm room, figure out when the dorm is quietest. Use this time to study every day. If you have further questions, you can even go online to ask for help. Many online forums are dedicated to the concerns of nurses. You may be able to read old threads and discuss nursing school with people who are already employed as nurses.