3 Study Strategies Every Accelerated Nursing Student Should Know

Accelerated nursing programs are known for their intensity—long lectures, fast-paced exams, and nonstop clinicals. With so much to cover in such a short time, students need more than motivation—they need strategy.

This guide shares three proven study strategies to help students stay organized, improve retention, and score higher on tests in nursing school. These tips align with what experienced students recommend after completing their first semesters with top grades.

If you're looking for realistic support beyond class, Ncleks offers structured NCLEX practice, nursing test preparation tools, and study aids tailored to fast-paced programs.

1. Go to Class Prepared—With the Right Tools

Attending class is the first step—but effective students take it further by preparing with tools that support active learning.

Top-performing nursing students recommend using a tablet and stylus with apps like Notability or GoodNotes. These apps allow students to annotate lecture slides directly and capture off-slide comments from instructors—often the details that show up on exams.

🎧 Bonus tip: Record lectures for replay. This helps fill in any gaps when reviewing and supports students who learn best by listening.

Using visual and audio reinforcement is one of the best ways to enhance focus and retention—especially in high-speed classes. For study resources that align with this method, check out Ncleks, where note-taking strategies and test-style questions go hand in hand.

2. Don’t Skip the Textbook—Use It Strategically

In accelerated programs, many students feel they don't have time to read the textbook. But here's the truth: instructors often build slides and test questions directly from textbook content.

Rather than reading full chapters, students should:

✔️ Review lecture slides first

✔️ Find the textbook sections that match the slides

✔️ Read a few paragraphs before and after to get context

This approach allows for targeted reading, helping students understand the source material that’s shaping their exams.

Instead of guessing what to memorize, this method puts students in control of what’s likely to appear on the test. For topic guides and high-yield summaries, [ncleks.com] offers focused tools to speed up this process and improve accuracy.

3. Create a Topic List and Use Active Recall

Before each exam, create a topic list that includes every key item from the lectures—medications, diseases, symptoms, labs, and nursing interventions. This can be 30–50 points long per unit.

Once the list is complete, use a whiteboard or sheet of paper to brain dump everything you know about each topic—without looking at notes. This strategy, known as active recall, boosts memory retention and helps you identify gaps in understanding.

Active recall is one of the most effective strategies for nursing test preparation, especially when combined with question practice. Students who pair this with timed NCLEX-style quizzes build both confidence and test endurance.

Why These Strategies Work for Accelerated Nursing

Accelerated nursing school compresses a year’s worth of content into a matter of months. This means students need to be efficient, organized, and consistent.

These three strategies—digital note-taking, targeted textbook review, and active recall—help students:

✔️ Process material more deeply
✔️ Prepare for clinical and theory exams
✔️ Retain information long-term

They’re also ideal for building habits that will serve students throughout nursing school and into NCLEX review. 

Tools That Complement These Study Strategies

To make the most of these methods, consider using:

📱 iPad and stylus for annotation

📂 Notability or GoodNotes for searchable notes

🎙️ Lecture recording apps for replay

🧾 Whiteboards for memory dumps and review

🌐 Ncleks RN Prep for exam simulations, question banks, and review guides

Having the right tools alongside solid strategies makes a huge difference in managing study load and test anxiety.

Final Takeaway: Strategy Beats Stress in Nursing School

In accelerated programs, smart study habits win. These three techniques—attending class with intention, reviewing textbooks strategically, and using topic-based active recall—can transform how nursing students approach every exam.

Want a structured place to practice these skills and improve your NCLEX readiness? Get started now to access custom-built study tools, flashcards, and focused nursing content designed for serious students.