Active Recall Study Method
this by far is the #1 WAY TO STUDY! as a nursing student I have found this method to be so helpful in retaining information.
First: you would want to do a huge brain dump (or a mini one whichever you prefer). anyways, just read a whole bunch of information, read it OUT LOUD, talk about it to yourself as your reading it.
Next: if you have a whiteboard, iPad, sheet of paper whatever, write down as much as you can remember WITHOUT looking at your notes. once you’ve wrote down everything you could remember, with a different color compare your notes to whatever you read and write down what you didn’t remember. take notes on the items that you didn’t remember and study those a little bit more.
Literally that’s all there is to it! However, as you’re writing also talk out loud as if you’re teaching it to a class (i find this very helpful). because if you can teach it to someone? yk what you’re talking about! #nursingstudenttips #activerecall #nursing school #blackgirllemon8
As a fellow nursing student, I totally get how overwhelming it can feel trying to cram all that vital information into your brain. For a long time, I just felt like I was passively reading, and come test day, it was all a blur. That's why discovering the Active Recall method was such a game-changer for me! It’s not just about reading; it's about making your brain work to retrieve information, which seriously cements it in your long-term memory. Let's dive deeper into how I integrate this method with my daily study routine, especially using tools like notebooks and flashcards, which so many of you asked about! Maximizing Your Notebook for Active Recall My notebook isn't just for taking initial notes. After my “brain dump” session where I read through a topic – let's say, cardiovascular diseases like Aortic Stenosis or congenital heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot – I close my textbook. Then, I grab a fresh page in my notebook. This is where the magic happens. I write down everything I can remember about that topic, forcing my brain to pull the information from scratch. I don't peek at my original notes! This might feel frustrating at first, but it's crucial. I'll jot down definitions, symptoms, nursing interventions, and even draw diagrams if it helps. Once I've emptied my brain onto the page, I switch to a different colored pen. Now, I compare what I wrote to my original notes or textbook. Any gaps, inaccuracies, or forgotten details get added in the new color. This visual contrast immediately highlights what I need to review. I then dedicate extra time to those specific “red pen” items, perhaps rewriting them or creating specific questions around them. Incorporating Flashcards for Targeted Self-Testing While notebooks are great for comprehensive recall, flashcards are my go-to for quick, focused self-testing. For each key concept or term I struggled with during my notebook recall, I create a flashcard. For example, on one side, I might write “Signs of Aortic Stenosis,” and on the other, list characteristic findings like “systolic ejection murmur, pulsus parvus et tardus, angina.” The key is to make them concise and actionable. I don't just flip through them passively. I actively try to answer the question on the card before turning it over. If I get it wrong, it goes into a “revisit” pile. If I get it right, it moves to an “understanding” pile. I cycle through the revisit pile much more frequently. This method is incredibly effective for memorizing drug dosages, lab values, or specific steps in a nursing skill. My Active Recall Study Desk Setup Creating an optimal study desk environment also plays a huge role. I make sure my desk is clear of distractions when I'm actively recalling. I'll have my main textbook or digital notes on my laptop (as seen in the study picture of my setup), but out of immediate reach. My whiteboard is often nearby, as it's fantastic for visual learners like me to quickly sketch out pathways or compare conditions side-by-side, such as the differences between Aortic Stenosis and Mitral Stenosis. Having a dedicated space signals to my brain that it's time to focus and retrieve. I also keep a stack of blank notebooks and my flashcard box within easy reach, ready for my next recall session. This comprehensive approach, combining the brain dump with structured self-testing using notebooks, flashcards, and a dedicated study space, has genuinely transformed my ability to not only pass exams but truly understand and retain complex nursing concepts. Give it a try – you might be surprised how much more confident you feel!