The nursing student is planning to study all weekend for a final exam

QUESTION

The nursing student is planning to study all weekend for a final exam scheduled on Monday. Is this a good strategy for study?

1. Yes; this method will assure all material is fresh in the student’s mind.
2. No; the student should plan on an all-night study session on Sunday night only.
3. Yes, but the best strategy is to invite six or seven fellow students to join in the session.
4. No; study should be incremental across the semester with a general review the day before the exam.

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 4

The best strategy is to study often, covering small portions of content as they are presented in the theory classroom. Marathon study sessions such as the one described in this question do not allow for consideration and processing of the material. The presence of multiple people in the marathon study session is even less productive. These large sessions tend to become social events rather than study events. All-night study sessions make the student sleep deprived on the day of the examination.