3 Tips for Studying Pathology

HiYa nursing friends!!

Pathology! You either love it or hate it. But remember, without pathology we’d all be out of a job.

Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of diseases or conditions that affect the body.

I can hear you sigh from here . . . that’s great, but how the heck am I supposed to study for pathology class and remember all those diseases and conditions?

Before I get into specific tips for studying pathology, here are a few things that might help when studying in-depth subjects such as pathology.

Active Recall. This is a principle of learning in which you “practice” remembering. Find out the details here.
Retention techniques range from creating a memory palace to using the Pomodoro method. Learn more here.
Download your FREE PDF Pathology Worksheet. Go to GetTheFreeStuffFirst to download and print now.

3 Tips for Studying Pathology

1. The Big Picture. When studying pathology it is critical that you start wide and narrow down as you study. As you already know, pathology is a broad course and the subject matter is copious and progressive.

So, start with a general topic, like the integumentary system and break it down into subsections such as skin rashes, skin lesions, injuries, etc. The great news is that your instructor should have these subtopics already outlined for you.

As you rearrange the broad topics into sections that make the most sense to you, be sure to keep your notes and diagrams clear and concise for quick reference later on.

Quick Tip: Start a perpetual notebook or filing system on your computer to organize your notes in body systems so that you can add to them each semester as you progress and the subject matter becomes more and more in-depth. For example, if you already have an integumentary folder or notebook with the topics of rashes, lesions, etc, then all you have to do is add to these already-established resources.

2. Keep It Organized. Creating a notebook or filing system for each body system to organize your notes is only the first step. Keeping the notes organized within each section is important as well. As you begin each new unit you’ll have several chapters to review.

Click here to learn The Best Way to Read a Textbook.

After you’ve skimmed the chapter, decide what information is vital to understand the subject matter vs details that may need to be memorized later (not now). This is where the Pathology Worksheet comes in handy.

Take your time and work through each step of the major concepts paying attention to terminology and pathologic processes but not memorizing yet. It does no good to memorize facts or terms that you don’t really understand at this point.

Quick Tip: Pathology is concept learning, not just fact learning. It will take more than one or two times through the material before you begin to get a grasp on the subject matter. AFTER you begin to understand the concepts of a portion, then it’s time to begin focusing on the facts and terms that may need memorizing.

3. Question Everything. Once you’ve gone through the material once or twice (and have used the Pathology Worksheet to write out concepts and details), it’s time to question yourself.

Turn the Pathology Worksheet over and write down every single question that you still have about the subject. Does every skin lesion itch? What’s the difference between a flat and an elevated lesion?

Comparing and contrasting disease processes are a great way to internalize these processes because many disease processes overlap. Also, there are many dichotomies in pathology such as malignant and benign, grade vs stage, and transudate and exudate.

Make tables to compare and contrast the different conditions, detailing the differences and similarities. Get creative with it but most of all–keep theses notes as part of your perpetual notebook.