What methods do you use to take notes

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I know there are tons of ways to organize ways but other than regular outlines I don't know how to do or use the other ways. Can everyone share their methods please?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

As the instructor/professor is lecturing, I simply jot down bullet points of what I deem to be important information. They're not really organized in any specific manner, though. They're just bullet points. This method has worked out just fine for me, since I currently have a 3.8 grade point average. It pales in comparison to a 4.0 gpa, but my grades are still generally good!

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Yeah, just write down the most important stuff. Short-hand as much as you can. Don't worry about being sloppy.

If your instructor is the type to read directly out of the book, just highlight the book.

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My voice recorder is my new friend. I take the best notes I can in class, but then the next day I play back the lecture with my notes in front of me and type them up, pausing the recording and going back if I missed something. That's for patho, where my prof doesn't believe in powerpoint and talks VERY fast. My pharm instructor is the opposite - she gives powerpoints with copious notes added in, because she believes we should listen instead of furiously writing everything down. I've recorded her too, but we've only had one lecture so far. I think I'll try to pare hers down to something less than 50 pages of notes/lecture...what do your teachers recommend? What has worked for you in the past? I do well when I write/type things out several times, especially if I have to synthesize it in a different way.

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I know there are tons of ways to organize ways but other than regular outlines I don't know how to do or use the other ways. Can everyone share their methods please?

I agree with the others...the fast and sloppy method in class. Then I retype my notes shortly after I get home and look up things online or supplement from books if I need more help/info than I got in the lecture.

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I have seen other methods mentioned on here but can't remember what they were called. Does anyone know?

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Specializes in PCU/Hospice/Oncology.

When it comes to taking notes I have a system.. It started out as short hand.. then that converted into symbols for words like a V with a circle around it was vitamin and such.. Now when I write notes I can get almost everything the prof says written down verbetum.. to even save time I write it down IN my book in every nook and cranny I can find. This way I can compare her lectures to the text and not take up tons of paper or space.

This method probably wouldnt work for many people. It just seems to work for me! =) GL!

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

All our lectures were on powerpoint and some would be put on blackboard. I would use a foldable keyboard connected to my PDA and type my notes on word mobile which worked out wonderfully. I would upload them to my lap top and print them. If the lectures were online before lecture time I would download and then add to them during lecture, otherwise I woudl type them from scratch during lecutre because i type faster than I write. I also would use one color for all notes that were for one test etc...

I thought you were graduating kuku??

Swtooth

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I have seen other methods mentioned on here but can't remember what they were called. Does anyone know?

Could this be the link you are searching for?

https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/how-do-you-study-195958.html

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All of my prof's give us either outlines or powerpoints. If I get them before class I print them out. Outlines I put additional space in for notes and powerpoints I print the 3 to a page with note space next to them. Then I write only things not on the provided material as well as little stories told etc that help explain the material.

In my binder I use sticky labels to label each section of notes so I can find it easily and I put a title page to each section with the chapter and page numbers associated with the topic on it for easier study reference.

Personal shorthand is also really helpful, though noone else could probably study off my notes LOL!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

We used "notetakers" in class.... basically the lecture outlines with fill-in the blank sections. I usually compared them with the textbook's and class's objectives and highlighted those areas. I can't type notes in class.... too slow. I remember more by physically writing it down and adding to it later.

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Thanks everyone! That is not the link but was helpful.

Swtooth- Congrats!! I WISH I was graduating! I finished the first year and now a GPN and can sit for the LPN, but transferring to Rivier I think for my BSN. But now my gram is coming to live with me and I may have to take a year off...... She was rushed to hospital on the afternoon of my last final and needed a pacemaker for bradycardia and arrythrimia. Is now in a SNF supposed to be supplying daily OT and PT and it isn't happening so I have a contractor building a ramp on Monday, picking up a hospital bed, commode, etc. and turning my livingroom into a bedroom for her. Life changes so fast- I thought I would have a small rest after finals boy was I ever wrong!

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