Purchase all required and recommended textbooks that your nursing professors suggest. Nursing is a complicated field with many different perspectives. So although you may be tempted to save the money and only purchase required materials, make sure that you at least rent the recommended texts from the library so you can get the most out of your course.
Apply your learning in the classroom to your hands-on training in the clinical setting. Nursing school programs typically require both lectures and hands-on experience inside a hospital. If you are able to practice the things you are learning about during your time at the hospital, you will more fully absorb the ideas.
Ensure your understanding of the material. If you don't understand something in lecture, raise your hand and ask for clarification. Visit your nursing professors during their office hours for extra help if you still are not able to understand the material. Nursing is a difficult field, so never be afraid to help your success.
Read the material carefully and strategically. First, read through the material just to get an overview of what you are studying. Then, go back and read again, highlighting the most important passages. A few days later, read through the material and get help on anything that you don't understand.
Devote at least one to two hours a night to studying and even more if you have time. Nursing school is challenging and although that can be exciting, it can also be intimidating. By making time to study for your courses every day you will ensure that you don't fall behind.