Lauren
As graduation creeps around the corner, seniors like me often get anxious about the summer as it means NCLEX prep time. However, prepping for the NCLEX doesn't mean your summer is ruined or you won't ever see your friends - with a little planning you can conquer the exam with some hard work and discipline. Here are some tips and tricks that I've learned from professors, nurses on social media, and friends who have passed on the first time!
Make a study plan - and stick to it. As early as you can, make a timeline of when you want to take your exam (I wouldn't recommend more than 1.5-2 months of studying) and work backwards. Starting with your least confident subject (ex. OB, cardiac care) first can be strategic to work through while you have your highest motivation. Then, plan which topic areas you want to conquer next. Make a plan of how many hours per day you need to study and plan for days you definitely can't. Be as realistic as possible!
Treat your study schedule like a job. With beach days and graduation parties just within reach, it can be really difficult to turn down fun plans once returning home. However, blocking off specific blocks of time during the week is crucial to succeed in this exam. I've had friends that did great in nursing school but didn't pass the NCLEX because they didn't take their study schedule seriously. So, treat your study routine like a job you cannot miss for social plans. Make plans for the weekend, grind during the week, and then you'll have the rest of the summer to relax and celebrate.
DON'T try to review all of your material from nursing school! It's a waste of time and it's not realistic. Practice questions are the most effective way to prepare for this exam, and by using a test prep program, they'll provide rationales that you can study from. I plan on studying important lab values, vital sign parameters, and therapeutic medication levels, but not any bulky content. Then, as I take practice quizzes, I'll rewrite the rationales they give and study that topic more in-depth as needed.
Find a study space that works for you. Personally, I know I won't be able to focus completely if I study at home (I'll end up laying on the couch all day), so I plan on going to my local library Monday through Friday. However, some people prefer studying at home! Everyone is different, so do what works for you and makes you most comfortable.
Give yourself rest days. This is crucial to avoid burnout from starting too intensely without time off. My plan is to be completely off on Saturday and lightly review some material on Sunday if I feel like doing so. But if I have plans or simply don't feel like it, I won't!
Have confidence! Or at least pretend you do! The major work has already been put in - you graduated with a bachelor's degree from a great nursing program (which is a huge accomplishment). You have already been given most of the tools you need to pass, but now it's time to enter "NCLEX World," as my professor likes to say, and tune up the knowledge you already possess to get your license. Try to remain positive, you can do this!
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