This can be scary. It might be traumatic. This could be overwhelming to new NCLEX takers. Or it can be second nature because you know what you need to study. It could be fun and exciting to be setting up the plan for your success at the NCLEX test. Or it can feel like Christmas with unlocking new content you did not know. You are unwrapping it for the first time, like a Christmas gift from your favorite Aunt Bestie.
Setting up an NCLEX test study schedule can be challenging and very exciting! Let's do it!
Tip #1 - How much Time Do You have? NCLEX date of ____
The date you set for your NCLEX is how much time you allow for studying and reviewing the content. How long are you planning to study per day? Remember, you are out of school and could get tired of it. Do you remember if you look for long periods or short periods? How many questions per day are you planning to do? How long are you planning to study per day?
The answers to these questions will help you with your NCLEX test study schedule. The study length of time you have is the number of weeks you have between now and the NCLEX test. The amount of time you allow for studying and reviewing the content will be determined by the amount of time you have allowed. In my office, I tell my students to sit for no longer than 3-4 hours per day. They can do longer if they split it into sections 3 and 3 or 4 and 4. But they must still remember to take breaks every hour to keep their brain engaged. How many questions a day will add time to your studying? Will you do 25, 50, or 125 questions per day? This comes down to how long you can focus. Also, you will need time to review the rationales to learn what you do not know.
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Tip #2 - What is on your Calendar before the NCLEX Test?
After the fact, graduates will say that they should have looked at the calendar before setting up their NCLEX test. Variables that distract the graduate from being successful are easily identified. Getting married, moving to another state, ending a long-term relationship, or the death of a family member. Other variables listed are illness of the graduate, family member, or significant other.
Variables, I see the most in my office are test anxiety and if the graduate is on medication, having the dose changed before the test, and having no time to know how it affects the graduate. Remember: testing on a drug you are not familiar with, or just starting, will not let you see how it will affect your concentration or ability to think. Making sudden changes before your testing date is not a good idea.
An article in Nursing Perspectives in the March/April issue of 2022 stated the following when discussing what is on the calendar. "Graduates identified the following external variables: extreme test anxiety, relocation either in housing or move to another city/state, and personal life events (e.g., marriage; end of a long-term relationship; death of family member/significant other; illness of graduate, family member, or significant other; or celebration of a religious/cultural period)."
Tip #3 - Start with Fundamentals, End Successful NCLEX Study schedule with Complex Topics
First, make a list of all the areas you feel weak in. From that list, pick the most fundamental places to start from. These would be Basic Care and Comfort, Reduction of Risk and Safety, and Infection Control. Then, add the specialties like OB and Psychosocial—then Adult, Peds, Pharm, then Leadership, which covers delegation and priority.
Tip #4 - Make the order yours, not your best friend Jayla's!
This is where social media comes into play.
Just because Jayla, your best friend, used such and such and in this order does not mean it will work for you. You are a unique individual, similar to a snowflake. Each snowflake is different, and not one is the same, just like you and Jayla. You both are individuals. Jayla learns by aural, and you know by read, write, and kinesthetic. You can understand her way, but you know what works for you.
So, instead of looking at social media to figure this step out, go to a questionnaire that figures out your type of learning. I use VARK for all of my students. It tells me and the student the best ways to learn. It also helps us know what order to study topics in. A video will not work if you need concept maps to understand conditions.
Link to VARK: https://vark-learn.com/the-vark-questionnaire/
Vark has ways to learn for all types of learners (Use the links in the menu) and examples of what you can use to retain information for your kind of learner.
How long do you need for the topic of cardiac and cardiac strips? Plan this out on your schedule. How long do you need for this topic of endocrine? What ways are you going to learn it? A concept map, Kinesthetic flashcards, or writing and then reading it? All of these take time. Give yourself that time. Don't forget to put how you will learn on the schedule with the learning time.
Tip #5 - Finish with Successful NCLEX Study Schedule!
If you follow this process, how much time until you can take the NCLEX test? What is on your calendar or family calendar? What do you need to work on, and in what order? Make the schedule yours and not copy from social media (FRIEND'S PLANS), and create your own NCLEX Test Study Schedule!
Closing Statement
Remember: You can do this! It is not rocket science, but it does take being honest with yourself and not looking at how your friends did it. You are not them. Follow the steps, and you will do this.
Leave a comment below on the areas you want more clarification on how to do it. I will be happy to answer you and offer assistance.