Hey there, future real deal RNs! Studying for the NCLEX can be pretty overwhelming. Trust me—I know! But, guess what? You don’t have to tackle it solo! Forming a study group can totally change the game. In this post we’ll review some ideas on how to create your own NCLEX study group and make the most of it!
If you’re not sold on the idea of studying with others, let’s begin with a little background on why it’s a good idea to work with an NCLEX study group. As you’ll see, it can make all the difference!
5 Benefits of Having an NCLEX Study Group
1. Social Support
Being with your nursing buddies creates a cozy vibe with a determined energy because you’re all there for the same reason! For me, my NCLEX study group became my support system! You can share worries, celebrate wins, and just feel less alone on this journey. Plus, some of those study pals might become your lifelong nursing friends!
2. Teach & Learn!
You can teach your NCLEX study group important topics. And teaching is one of the best ways to learn. (Hello, active recall!) If you haven’t heard of active recall, it’s basically a form of studying where you explain complex nursing topics to others, thereby reinforcing your own understanding. So, share what you know and soak up knowledge from your peers. It’s a win-win!
If you’re looking for some ways to use active recall, check out our “Study Tips” playlist on TikTok! There you’ll find a couple of ways you can incorporate active recall into your study sessions.💡
3. Motivation
Do you struggle to focus during study sessions? Me too. You’re not alone! Just being around your nursing school friends can keep you on track. One way to do this is through what’s called body doubling. Essentially, this is a productivity technique when someone performs a task (or studies) with another person present (or visibly present if you’re on Face Time). The accountability is real, and it helps you stay motivated and crush your study goals!
4. Accountability
When you commit to a study group, you’re not just showing up for yourself anymore—you’re showing up for your friends, too! That mutual commitment keeps everyone on their game and ready to hit those study sessions hard.
5. Shared Goals
When you work alongside your classmates, it helps knowing you’re all working toward passing the NCLEX. It just makes studying way less daunting. I loved having a group of people I could turn to for help, knowing they’re on the journey with me.
8 Steps to Organizing an NCLEX Study Group
Now that we’ve talked about the benefits of studying with a group, let’s go over some ideas for putting one together in your nursing program and how to organize it!
As for putting one together, I’d suggest the following:
1. Start by reaching out to your classmates!
It might feel a bit scary, but, trust me, you’ll find study buddies in your program. You can also check out social media groups or class forums.
2. Keep the groups fairly small.
I’d aim for a group of 4-6 to keep discussions manageable while still allowing for diverse perspectives!
Looking for social support but don’t have time to make a group of your own? Join our 4-day NCLEX Live Study Group led by two real-deal nurses who have been in your shoes!
The study group includes:
- NGN case studies
- 3 practice exams that match the breakdown of NCSBN’s NCLEX-RN Test Plan
- Plenty of Q&A opps
- 60 days to access to our NCLEX Crash Course
- Qbank access for all 60 days of your study
We’d love to see you there! 🙌
Of course, it’s one thing to start an NCLEX study group. Running it effectively is quite another. Here are some tips for organizing NCLEX study group sessions once your group gets going:
3. Set up a group chat!
You can do this via text or on apps like WhatsApp, Discord, or wherever you all hang out virtually. Keep it simple and clear when it comes to making study sessions—everyone should know when and where you’re meeting!
4. Decide how often you want to meet.
I found that weekly worked best for most of us, but you can always put it up for a vote in your group! Find a chill spot—maybe a coffee shop, park, library, or even a Zoom session!
5. Plan each session.
Create an idea of what you want to accomplish and how you’ll accomplish it in each session. This is something I wish we’d done! Examples include:
- Each session, pick a topic and dive deep.
- Go over NCLEX exam questions together and discuss rationales to see what you learned.
- Use real-life case studies from clinical rotations or sim labs to apply what you know.
- Take turns teaching a topic from class. It’s super helpful!
6. Set up a calendar!
After you’ve got an idea of how often to meet up and a rough idea of what each session will look like, you’ll want to make a calendar with all of the details and what you’re covering each session.
This keeps everyone on the same page and ensures you hit all the important stuff before exam day!
7. Keep it fun and friendly!
You’re each other’s support system. Check in on everyone, share resources, send tips in the group chat, and celebrate those small wins—like finally understanding ABG interpretation or passing that med/surg exam on cardiac conditions!
8. Monitor your progress!
As with the nursing process, you’ll want to see how the study group is doing. Are meetings helpful for everyone? Is everyone feeling included? Be flexible and make changes if needed—like switching up study locations or inviting new members!
Final Thoughts
Creating an NCLEX study group can turn your NCLEX prep into a fun, interactive experience. I promise! Once you find your people and get into a study groove, you’ll see the benefits and head into exam day feeling confident.
So, gather your nursing school friends, gather around some notes, and share that nursing knowledge! You’ll be grateful you did when you walk out of the NCLEX knowing you crushed it.
Looking for more (free!) tips to help you pass the NCLEX with flying colors? Check out these other posts on the Blueprint Nursing blog:
