Any tips on being more organized?

[detrelibre]

I've been lurking in the shadows of this forum and have noticed that a lot of students well into their nursing programs have a common word of advice to newbies like myself: stay organized and plan effectively.

It got me thinking. What does that really mean? Can you give some specific examples of how to stay organized? I mean, I get that it's helpful to use a planner, or to use a different binder for each class. But how can I be an amazing organizer? Also, how can I be better at planning? I guess the two go hand in hand, so advice on either one would be super helpful!

I start my ADN program on Monday, August 19th. I'm so freaking excited!

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I know what you mean, I start the 26th, and things are picking up pace already. We got an email that we have to do NetLearning tests before we do clinicals and this has to be done before we even start classes so that our clinical sites have the information on hand. As for organization, I have a study room that I have reworked so that it will be a nice quiet place for me away from distractions. I have a white board to remind me of REALLY critical dates, a planner, several binders and notebooks, flashcards, the "Success" series for Pharm and Funds, and sticky tabs for textbook marking. I think we will work out our own systems for organization as we go. Good luck to you!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

See https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html

In terms of tools, whatever you can consistently use will be the best set of tools.

As for me, I use Google Calendar to map out the entire semester -- from time to wake up, time to organize, time to leave for college, on campus class time, virtual class time, study time, rewriting notes times, etc. Google Calender syncs up to my smart phone as well as my desk top.

If you like paper-based planners, uncallendar is a good choice.

I use 1" Flex Binder's -- one per class. While I use hand writing to take notes during class, I re-type my notes, print them out and then create sections in the notebook -- one for handwritten notes (in case I need to refer to them if I missed to type something), and one for the typed notes.

Thank you.

[rubato, ASN, RN]

Planner is key. But, you also need to have a system. I go to lecture with printed out power points that I them put my notes on. I then come home and type, then print out my notes (it gives me a 2nd look at the material). Each unit is divided in my binder. Once I take a unit exam, the notes go into my bigger binder that is divided out. This will be for the final.

In my planner are all of my lecture hours, clinicals, SIM labs, extra lab practice time that I schedule for myself, and my study time. On top of that is my husband's work schedule, my son's school schedule and cross country and baseball practices and games/meets. Obviously, there's tons of other stuff too, like doctor's appointments, the dog, working out,etc....I also have a 2nd planner so that I am never without one.

Even my trunk is organized with my school bag, clinical bag, extra scrubs, extra shoes, snacks, etc.... You never know what's going to happen and when you might need something.

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

If you are a type-your-notes kind of person and like the idea of having all of your papers in one place, check out Microsoft OneNote. It is a program designed for college students that is an electronic binder system. I create one binder for each semesters, and then individual tabs for each class. Each lecture gets its own page (I am even able to group them by exams). I am 100% paperless - if a teacher gives a handout I scan it and put it into OneNote. It is so amazing NOT to have to lug binders around! Another great feature is OneNote saves to the cloud, so I can access it from my phone, so if I find myself unexpectedly stuck somewhere, I can take out my phone and study. It changed my life when I discovered this program when doing my pre-reqs.

Good luck!