Advice on a Recorder

LpAngel81 · Jul 21, 2008

I would check with your school to make sure it is ok to have a recorder while in school. I am starting my program in Sept of this year and at orientation we were told that no recorders of any type are allowed while in school.

KIMMY03 · Jul 21, 2008

well my school doesn't allow us to record lectures either but if you are an audio learner, i would still suggest investing in a recorder (i did) because i have found that reading your notes into the recorder is as effective as recording the lectures (if not more). here is why:

1) lectures ramble on and on, not everything discussed will be important enough information to take up valuable space time on your recorder. many times in a classroom setting we tend to go off topic.

2) you know best how things need to be worded in order for you to have full comprehension of a concept, and therefore retain the information. sometimes a professors way of wording things can be vague, confusing, or even too in depth (not straight to the point)

3) information is easier to recall if it's in a familiar voice. replaying your recorded voice continually will have a similar effect on your brain as something that you have repeated over and over. later on when you are taking a test and are silently reading the questions to yourself, your mind will automatically make the connection between the voice & concept thus giving you the answer.

just my take on things. i'm audio/visual so between that and flashcards...it's a done deal! i got a pretty inexpensive digital recorder from walmart that works great!! its a sony icd-b600 and it only cost about $35 bucks. it records for up to 301 hrs. no tapes, four folders, and you can upload everything to your computer turning it into a disc to play on the car ride to school!!

good luck!

BeverlynBama · Jul 21, 2008

Thank you for the information on a recorder. You are so correct in that it will help even if we just record concepts of what is covered in our own words.

Back before I started college someone told me to study out loud and even in front of a mirror. Using all of our senses we can use really helps.

I will check out that recorder at Wal-Mart.

justme1972 · Jul 21, 2008

I would recommend one that you can upload to the computer and burn CD's.

I finally switched to this and pop it in on my way home...it has helped my retention tremendously b/c I get to hear the lecture one more time without being distracted by note taking.

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 21, 2008

My advice would be don't.

Two reasons. Your going to spend too much time going over the records and possibly trying to transcribe and you also become to reliant on the recording.

Instructors are usually very negative about them and most study guides aren't keen on them either.

LPN_thts_M3 · Jul 23, 2008

I agree with u beverlynbama with the studying out loud..when I was in A&P I got D's on my first 2 tests even tho I studied thoroughly at least I thought..I am a visual learner and lectures are a bore because

I tend to space out if the content isn't interesting. I was told to read my notes outloud but don't read what's on my paper since that tends to be exactly what the teacher said. So I would stand up and speak my notes to the wall like I was teaching a pretend class LOL my roommates thought I was nuts but I got A's on all the rest of my tests and passed the class. Sorry I got off topic...I tried a tape recorder for psych class and I agree using it for ur personal use, repeating notes on the recorder bcuz there would be times I could hear someone coughing over the professor and you never know if it was something important. Only u know what works for you so try a few things out and see how it works.

ursus57 · Jul 23, 2008

I just brought my digital recorder in and no one objected. Anything said in class must remain in class NO exceptions. I record lectures and play them while commuting. Also I record myself reading out loud for play back. I take written notes while I record. I use flashcards for terms I feel I need to remember.

Written notes are best for all senses learning, See it in the book, hear it from the lecture, write it on the paper for notes.

You will bomb out badly if you try to short cut by only recording your lectures, sorry, it's true.

Audio notes are good for review, when you go back over your notes.

The old time rules have not changed,

Read material as far in advance as possible,

Do all chapter test and quick quizzes,

Do all work book material,

Read and have handy all handouts related to your material,

Listen, and take written notes during lectures.

The great brains can do well by taking shortcuts, great brains are rare and I am jealous of them when I find someone who can ace every test they take. I am happy that 1 or 2 in a thousand are great brains. I am not, you probably are not.

Most of the high scorers on tests put in the time, and do those things that maximize their scores and do the less scoring items if they have time.

51, male, wear hearing aids, Vocational School LPN course.

It is work and it is worth it and you have to want to finish.

I am in the low to high 80's on most scores. I am looking for ways to bump my score up, Be nice to an old guy and let me know what can bump me up some on these tests.

ursus57 · Jul 23, 2008

well my school doesn't allow us to record lectures either but if you are an audio learner, i would still suggest investing in a recorder (i did) because i have found that reading your notes into the recorder is as effective as recording the lectures (if not more). here is why:
1) lectures ramble on and on, not everything discussed will be important enough information to take up valuable space time on your recorder. many times in a classroom setting we tend to go off topic.
2) you know best how things need to be worded in order for you to have full comprehension of a concept, and therefore retain the information. sometimes a professors way of wording things can be vague, confusing, or even too in depth (not straight to the point)
3) information is easier to recall if it's in a familiar voice. replaying your recorded voice continually will have a similar effect on your brain as something that you have repeated over and over. later on when you are taking a test and are silently reading the questions to yourself, your mind will automatically make the connection between the voice & concept thus giving you the answer.
just my take on things. i'm audio/visual so between that and flashcards...it's a done deal! i got a pretty inexpensive digital recorder from walmart that works great!! its a sony icd-b600 and it only cost about $35 bucks. it records for up to 301 hrs. no tapes, four folders, and you can upload everything to your computer turning it into a disc to play on the car ride to school!!
good luck!

great info on the recorder, and very true, say it out loud and use flashcards...

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jul 23, 2008

ursus,

I get high 90's to full scores on most f my tests. here is what works for me. I write note down directly to index cards. for me this helps me clarify the main point I am trying to capture earlier on in the process and saves time on condensing the notes.

Have faith to KNOW when you know something and move on. I see this happening to alot of classmates they spend to much time reviewing what they already know.

Don't just use your textbook as your own source of reference. Use other books, Nclex study guides etc

BeverlynBama · Jul 24, 2008

All of the advice is so good. I agree that we all must find what works best for us, and that there are very few people that can take shortcuts and do well.

Ursus what an inspiration you are. I am 52 and will be starting nursing classes next month. For all the prerequisites like the two anatomy classes I found I did best when I would get overall concepts. I need to see the whole picture and then after seeing the whole picture I can go back and break down everything and add details.

I take notes in class, make note cards that are always with me. I do every exercise in the book and do a lot of internet searching for sites that will break down diffcult material in easier to understand ways. I talk to myself a lot going over points.

I really do think adding a recorder to my study habits will help me.

Something else I do for memorization is I make lists and post them everywhere. lol My refrigerator will never be the same.

I also have a study group that I am involved with, sometimes bouncing points off of other students is beneficial.