Participate in classroom discussions and try to answer lecturer's questions. These will give a feeling of where you stand relative to the class. No one ever says that they know the answers to all questions, not even the lecturer. However, we all know the students who know more than us and we also know of all students who know less than us. Lastly, we all know where we stand relative to our class but we do not like to say it.
Strategy
One reading of a chapter is not usually sufficient because our memory is not good. Repeat reading, note taking, high lighting and tying newly learned material to what you already know is very useful. When making notes, make sure that the notes are not too long so that they become useless from an applied aspect. Notes should be in point form and re-read your notes many times. You will know that you understand the material if you can convey the jest of the chapter to a friend, a family member or talk it aloud. Be careful though, do not get drunk, sit on the roadside and start repeating the contents of a chapter. You may be mistaken for someone who is actively hallucinating or preaching etc.
Study Groups
It also a good idea to form study groups. When participating in study groups prepare your topic well. When you are presenting the other members should be listening actively and asking for clarification on issues which are not clear. Now-a-days many students study externally and therefore the formation of study groups is a difficult process. However, it is not impossible.
Most universities provide learn line sites which allow students to communicate between themselves and between lecturers. Be aware, about university policies and procedures. Once you have pasted a message you will have to live with the consequences or it. Many administrators / lecturers will not allow you to delete a message which has been posted. Others may be more flexible.
Study groups of students are usually able to share knowledge, know how and resources. Resources include good books, methods on how to memorize important lectures and to exchange notes.
Dos and Don'ts
There are many things which you should not do when you are in a nursing school. I will only talk about behaviors which are related to nursing schools. It is clearly expected that you will not break any of societie's laws. All Nursing Students are expected to broken no criminal or civil laws. If you have a criminal record, please notify the Nursing School before you apply to become a Registered Nurse.
Other things which you should avoid doing as a nursing student include breaking normal behavioral rules. These include sleeping (or dozing) during lectures, talking during lectures, and making excessive use of your mobile phone. Most students are able to comply with this requirement without any difficulty. Yes, it is minor inconvenience. Yes, it is worth it for the purposes of getting useful education with skills which are very transferable. I am sure you will want to comply with these.
Remember to switch off pagers, mobile phones and other communication devices. These can interfere with your progress, the flow of the lecture and disrupt the focus of the entire class. Some institutions impose a fine and others have rules banning mobile phones and pagers. Follow these rules.
Excuses for absences are as a rule not accepted. However, most Universities allow absences with medical certificates. So if you are absent, be prepared to submit your sickness certificate. The death and funeral of close relatives (sometimes close friends) may be accepted. However, this does not entitle you to skip the work that was thought during that period. The lecturer will tell you that he/she will coach you individually. If he/she tells you this then it is up to you to make the time up.
You must also make up clinical time during which you were sick or absent from clinical (hospital) work. When making up sick time, it is best to arrange with the clinical area where you are placed. However, keep other parties informed. Notify your lecturer, notify the clinical supervisor and above all notify the placement office.
Medication calculations are very important. This is because students cannot be allowed to make a mistake with medications in the clinical area. Be prepared to buy a book on medical calculations and to master those calculations. Any score of less than 100 % will alert the teaching staff to your weaknesses. The rigidity for this rule is coming from industry. Society is getting more and more litigious and Universities and Hospitals are responding to societies' needs.
Be prepared to follow the dress code of your cooperating institutions. Universities will require you use their Nursing Uniform or the Clinical Areas' Uniform. It is up to you to find out which rules apply to your area. Another simple rule is cover boobs, bottoms and bellies. Footwear must be suitable for participation in laboratory work. Generally, closed in shoes are required. In some clinical situations you will be required to wear protective eye goggles.
Your points are well taken. However, Human Beings have two brains therefore they are not able to decide on what is important etc.