NCLEX Review: No pain, no gain

Taking an exam is not a joke, much more in reviewing in preparation to take an exam.

NCLEX examination is really not a joke. One needs to prepare in order to pass. It takes a lot of sacrifices in order to attain the sweet price of success. But before I rightfully enjoy my victory, I have to undergo sacrifices. I sacrifice myself from the "usual" stuff of being relaxed into a very serious one who is eager to pass. Indeed, "no pain, no gain".

I need to stretch my time more on studying, reading, going over the topics which I have difficulty on and reviewing them, utilizing the available resources, medium or supplementals that I need for my preparation. In this way, I will not feel regretful in due time. And being ready erases my feeling of anxiety.

When you want to earn something, you must put your heart and mind into it. These two shall collaborate. Heart, in the sense that you have to put the "love" out from what you are doing. Of course, no one wants to be "deprived" for too long of the usual things one does, but putting your heart to take such great sacrifice will lead you to sweet success that will always lead you to greater happiness.

Mind, in the sense that you have to seriously let your mind work in studying. You have to find means and ways in order for you to have easy understanding of the things you need to know. There are lots of things that you should tackle on reveiwing. Discovering the strategies and techniques are workable ingredients in order to make your life pretty much easier.

Taking NCLEX examination is equivalent to your life. That is why, you need to:

1. Discipline yourself to study. Never procrastinate. Time is precious and your "every day" leads to triumph someday. Do not dream dreams just for the sake of dreaming. You need to move, show your actions. If you do not want the topic, you need to love them and just embrace them. Best remedy is to find your own mainstream, you own style that will help you understand the topic. If your passion is drawing, then put that passion in learning. In order for you to remember the topic, you have to mark traces or simply draw them and jive them to the topic. There is no standard protocol on studying. You can do your own thing by simply finding ways that makes life easier.

2. Know the basics. In an exam, the very usual scenario is to exactly orient yourself with the basics because questions circulates on that, making it appear complicated. Never disregard the standards, the steps, procedures, the concepts out from every topic. If you find difficulty, you have many resources that will help answer your problems. Do not make things complicated.

3. Use the available resources all you can. There are books, online informations (look into the trusted sites), review books, practice questions, online review, videos, review cds etc. These important things help you in your review.

4. Practice answering questions. This will harness you in fully conditioning yourself in the exam. Never feel down when you get low scores upon practicing, remember, that your mistakes will lead you to know the unknown. Try to go over them. When you answer, learn to manage your time. Always think that you are bounded by time and you need to think well because time is ticking out. Do not ever underestimate yourself during the practice questions when you get unsatisfactory scores. Remember, you have the strength to get up and do something about them. Simply look for strategies, techniques, clues, etc. that will lead you to the right answer.

5. Test anxiety is expected but you can control them. Of course, we are humans. We have the tendency to be anxious because we are thinking if "we could pass the exam or not". There are lots of questions that lingered in our minds. They distract our sense of focus. Now, it is your choice if you let "anxiety" rule over you. That is why, you are the only one who can control them. Breath deeply. Fill your brain with oxygen so that you can rightfully think. Never doubt yourself nor compare yourself to others. Remember, you are you. Whatever you do, you will be the ones paying for it. So better trust and be in control of yourself.

No pain, no gain in taking the NCLEX exam. If you want to land a good job as a nurse, aim your goal and reach them. But going into the process is very, very tough, and if others can do it, so why not you.

Remember, no one reaches the top in an "easy-way-out" attitude.