How do you organize your school items?

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I have like 3 or 4 in. binders for each class that I keep at home. I have regular folders that I take in my bag for that day, then when I am done transfer the papers to the at home binders. I also have tabs in the binder that seperate the notes per test.

newlpn80 · Jul 10, 2011

i kept manilla folders in my binder for work due and work thats done etc.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

hahaha organization. i wish. im very type B i guess.. at the beginning of each semester i tell myself im going to start off organized and stay that way.. i buy binders and big bags with little pockets that i tell myself im dedicating to certain things (pens, scissors, chap stick, notecards etc.).. it works out great for the first week.. within a month ive got outlines and notecards floating all over my bag, ive bought at least 3 new pairs of bandage scissors because i can never find them when i need them.. of course they show up a week later in the wash with my melted chapsticks. :eek: .. i completely forget that i was even using binders, they are just taking up space in my bag.. not to mention the cookie wrappers and iced tea bottles that get mixed up in there too. i should have never bought one of those giant vera bradley bags. i cant handle all the space. haha.. but yeah, use me as an example of what NOT to do. one day ill be organized.. one day.. lol

afox · Jul 10, 2011

I wouldn't go any smaller than 1.5 inches. It all depends on your class though. I only keep one binder for every class. I separate it by unit/test, and have a folder in the back that I can keep assignments/loose hand outs. By only having one binder, and always having it with me, I know that i'll always have what I need.

For clinicals, I carry a tote bag that always has my stethoscope, penlight, bandage scissors, name tag, some sort of pain reliever (never know when a headache will roar its ugly head), chapstick, bottled water, plenty of extra black pens, pocket sized note pad, and med book.

newlpn80 · Jul 10, 2011

I had a lpn handbook it was small but tons of info that really helped

lidleanjel · Jul 10, 2011

good luck on organization. i try to stay organized and then after a week my school stuff is a mess. books are all over. i have 3 sets of notes. one is from class, one from a previous student, and rewritten class notes with extra book information. clinical stuff is in a pile. and my stethoscop, bp cuff, and supplies are in a small bag. every class i reorganize, but looks like a tornado hit soon after.

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

get a filing cabinet! i love it. i put all my older notes in there.

i'm pretty messy naturally but discipline is key! just when you are going to throw something in your bag, say NO i am going to put this in the right place NOW! lol. sometimes everyone is out of class and i am the last one out just to make sure notes are in their proper place!

it might also help to bring your laptop to class. its hard to get unorganized with laptops, lol.

ck32 · Jul 10, 2011

Thanks for writing this post and to all those who have shared their thoughts!! I have one question to add, what type of book bag did you use? My husband used a Swiss-army book-bag. But, I didn't know if there was a more feminine one, which is just as effective?? Thanks for your input!!

Maladroit, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I wouldn't go any smaller than 1.5 inches. It all depends on your class though. I only keep one binder for every class. I separate it by unit/test, and have a folder in the back that I can keep assignments/loose hand outs. By only having one binder, and always having it with me, I know that i'll always have what I need.
For clinicals, I carry a tote bag that always has my stethoscope, penlight, bandage scissors, name tag, some sort of pain reliever (never know when a headache will roar its ugly head), chapstick, bottled water, plenty of extra black pens, pocket sized note pad, and med book.

This. Exactly! I also have my e-mail folders sorted by class/teacher and I also put tabs on the chapters in the book that I need for the next exam color coded to the tabbed class notes in the binder. I guess that makes me Type A.

I also have a tab in my binder for Clinical stuff...on the night before clinicals I just pull out what I need and toss it in my tote that I take with.

on eagles wings, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Thanks for writing this post and to all those who have shared their thoughts!! I have one question to add, what type of book bag did you use? My husband used a Swiss-army book-bag. But, I didn't know if there was a more feminine one, which is just as effective?? Thanks for your input!!

i want to buy a smaller gym bag for clinicals. zappos has nice ones from puma.

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I swear I responded to this! Hmm, wonder where it went? Oh well!

Anyways, I have one binder per class that I leave at home. I have it seperated into tests. I keep my pp and notes in a loose folder and when I am done with that test put the papers in the binders and start with the next set. I have a Jansport rolling backpack that I have my folder, books, laptop and all my supplies in.