Successful students find a group of people to study with. Studying for nursing school exams and processing class material on your own is not recommended. A student needs someone to discuss the class notes with and talk about other problems he may have missed in clinical. Pick people who are dedicated to studying, who are motivated to do well and who have the time for a study group. Plan to meet once a week -- and possibly twice a week on test weeks -- to go over the notes.
Absence for any reason could set a student back by a large margin. Most nursing classes move fast and getting the notes from a classmate does not make up for learning in lecture. Do not miss a clinical rotation day. Those days are even more precious than the lecture days because they are the only hands on experience a student receives. If days must be missed, do everything possible to make up the time.
Do not skimp on purchasing books needed for the nursing and science classes. Purchase the books and read them cover to cover. Absorb all of the information that is in those books. The tests may not cover all the material in them, but that information may appear on the state boards or be important in a clinical application. Books are expensive and it may be tempting to try to do without. It will derail a nursing student's career if she does not have the books she needs to be a success.
It may only be the first semester, but it is not too early to buy a book that lays out the format for the state boards. The curriculum taught in the first semester is tested on boards, so it is not out of the question to reinforce this information by looking over those sections in an exam book. Start working on practice questions for the state exam. The more questions a nursing student has under her belt, the better prepared she will be when she sits for her exam.
The first semester of nursing school can be very stressful. Some schools require intensive science courses in addition to the fundamentals of nursing. A well rounded student needs to occasionally put down the books and just let loose. Sometimes the studying can be overwhelming, especially if there is work and family involved. Stress relief is important to help avoid burning out before graduation.