You Are Smarter Than You Think

Today, day 4, was actually pretty fun! We started learning all about vital signs.  Temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, blood pressure and pain...oh my!  I had the opportunity to use my stethoscope and blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer...say that 3 times fast!).  Next assignment is to take vital signs on 5 of our friends.  Good thing I have wonderful friends (and an ever supporting wife) who will allow me to practice.  We also had our first experience in the labs.  They are impressive, even just at a first glance. The lab I was in had 10 beds and looked just like a hospital.  It was impressive and also, a tad overwhelming.  I will be learning so much in the weeks and months to come.  It is still so crazy to think I will be with actual patients in just about 6 weeks!! 

After lab and lunch, we had the education specialist who is our support person for the duration of our program.  She is specifically there to help all the nursing students (there are about 590 in 3 different programs!).  We had to buy a book called You Are Smarter Than You Think.  I remember from the Meet and Greet when a current student told us about this particular lecture.  This specialist would be coming in to teach us how to study!  I was excited and ready to take meticulous notes.  We began by taking some assessments to learn what type of learner we are.  I am a combination language processor.  This basically means I learn best through auditory and visual  language.  I think I should have someone here at all times to read me my textbooks while I follow along; it is the way I would learn best!!  The other part of the assessment told me that I am a spacial reorganizer.  This means I am a person who loves color and simplicity.  I am overwhelmed by all the words in textbooks.  YES!!  I will learn best knowing the bottom line.  I now have some new techniques to try when I am studying.  Concept maps may become my new best friend!  Finally, the assessment told me when it comes to retention, I am musical and body kinesthetic.  Reading the descriptions of these was like reading a description of myself!  This was nothing new, I tap constantly, have to have music playing and need movement while I study. 

I now get the opportunity to use my new found knowledge of my learning style as I study for our first final (and the end of my freshman year!).