Study habits are practices and attitudes that students adopt to enhance their learning and academic performance. By developing effective study habits, nursing students can become more competent in retaining information, comprehending complex medical methodologies, and achieving success in educational endeavors. Typically, study habits vary between people, but some standard practices have proven effective.
Students can start by employing an active learning method. This process demands students engage in their learning from an active perspective, from solving problems to addressing complex questions, making decisions, proposing solutions, and explaining ideas in their own words. Active learning is a student-centered approach that places the learning responsibility upon the student.
Another effective study habit requires students to create an optimal study environment. The study space is just as important as other strategies and can significantly improve an individual’s success as a nursing student. The perfect study space can help to stay focused, organized, comfortable, and productive, all of which maximize a student’s ability to learn.
Furthermore, research has shown the impact of purposeful breaks on a student’s productivity and ability to focus. Study breaks are an effective study habit for every student. Students should take anywhere from five to 60 minutes to engage in relaxing activities that help to re-energize and refocus before returning to studies. Other study habits include implementing rewards, taking practice tests, asking for help, and studying with a group.
Utilizing support systems
Utilizing support systems is another key strategy for maintaining a healthy work-life balance as a nursing student. Support systems are a network of people who provide practical and emotional support to help an individual cope with the challenges and demands of nursing school. There are different examples of support systems that help to effectively manage the academic workload in a nursing school.
Friends and family are the most important sources of support. Their comprehensive knowledge helps to provide effective emotional, social, and practical support. This could be by listening to concerns, cheering the nursing student up, or providing quality advice. Nursing students should make use of their support by maintaining close relationships, staying in touch, spending quality time, and expressing appreciation.
Peer support is another crucial strategy for every student. Through this system, nursing students can learn and develop from the experiences of their peers. While there are different types of peer support, they all aim to bring together people with shared experiences to support each other. Students can build connections with their peers by joining study groups, seeking feedback, and opting for mentorship in nursing. Even for students in the nation’s top nursing graduate programs, like Texas Woman’s University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), mentorship can be a valuable tool. The course at Texas Woman’s University provides placement support services and aid for clinical placements too, to further boost the learning experience for students.
Finally, it is also good practice for students to network with professionals who have the expertise to help them succeed. This includes instructors and counselors capable of providing educational, career, and personal support. Whichever option students choose, utilizing support systems can help them improve their performance and enhance their satisfaction as a nursing student. However, these systems do not replace a student’s efforts or responsibilities. There is also the need to take charge of learning through self-care strategies.
Self-care to manage stress
The complex nature of nursing education makes it difficult for students to take care of themselves and their mental health. This highlights the importance of self-care, serving as an important part of staying healthy, both mentally and physically. For students, self-care is essential to maintain an ideal balance between school and wellness and involves various activities.
Developing healthy coping strategies is crucial to managing stress and maintaining balance in nursing school. Students should recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed or anxious about any situation. Once these feelings have been identified, they can implement relaxation or stress-reduction techniques to help relax, regain focus, and promote overall well being.
An effective stress reduction technique is deep breathing. This breathing exercise helps to calm the nervous system while also reducing tension and anxiety. Students can also practice mindfulness meditation to reduce stress and increase self-awareness. Several guided mindfulness meditation applications can help to streamline this process.
Other stress-reduction techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, exercise, music and art therapy, aromatherapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, to mention a few. Self-care remains a critical aspect of student life that should not be overlooked. Hence, students should take time to practice self-care activities and ensure they make the most of their time in nursing school.
Develop strong relationships
One word that characterizes nursing students is busy, and like most busy individuals, students may struggle to develop and nurture relationships. Yet, social connections are one of the most important investments a student seeking a healthy work-life balance can make.
Developing strong relationships can be a great way to manage the rigors of nursing school. Some tips for developing such relationships include making conscious efforts to know peers, participating in team-building events, and, when necessary, maintaining an open line of communication. As a student, building strong relationships creates a positive and supportive environment, which fosters a healthy work-life balance.
Healthy lifestyle choices
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for students to become successful academically and maintain their overall health. It serves as a crucial foundation for academic success and results in positive long-term outcomes alongside a fulfilling educational experience. A healthy lifestyle includes nutrition and meal planning, regular exercise, sleep hygiene, and effective stress management.
Nutrition helps to maintain the energy levels of students and support their overall health. Meal planning involves introducing a variety of nutritious foods to a diet, from fruits to vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. The nursing profession emphasizes health, and nursing students should strive to improve theirs by eating a well-balanced diet and limiting their intake of unhealthy foods, which can contribute to weight gain and other health issues.
Regular exercising is another crucial aspect of a healthy lifestyle and one every nursing student should adopt. Exercise has been shown to improve physical and mental health, as well as reduce stress and improve sleep. Hence, students need to find a physical activity they enjoy and aim to engage in regularly. By exercising regularly, students can have more energy and focus, which can improve academic performance.
Finally, getting enough sleep is key to a healthy lifestyle for students. The rigors of nursing school may result in students dedicating more time to studies, which can significantly affect their quality of sleep. Adequate sleep is necessary for performing well academically and maintaining overall health. Hence, students are required to sleep for seven to nine hours per night to have more energy and focus.