Att Nursing students: What do you do with your books?

Published

Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

What do you do with your books? Do you keep them in school so you can refer to them throughout the day? Keep them at home so you can study? Shlep them back and forth every day?

I want to utilize my time in school as much as possible, and sometimes if lecture is boring or repetitive, my time can better be spent reading and reviewing the text. But I don't want to be carrying heavy books back and forth, and I'll also need to do some studying at home.

I'm thinking about buying a second copy of each book, an older edition for very cheap, and keeping one set of books at home and one set in school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in E.R..

I brought the books with me wherever I went. This method has served me well, I am able to study whenever I have a moment of downtime. Invest in an extra large backpack if you want to do this though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

You have too much money of you can buy a second set of books. This sem I had over $800 in books almost $900 So if you can afford a second set. Send me some of that money lol. But for me I only bring the large books on days where I know I will have time between classes and I have to study for a test. Otherwise I keep them at home to study from.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I spent very little on books. I buy online, and I buy older editions whenever possible. You can get old edition books for $1 each. Check abebooks.com; I always find good deals. The difference between old and new editions generally isn't that great, as long as the edition isn't too old.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC and Home Health.

I was wondering if this was possible with the nursing program books. I did this through pre-reqs with no problem at all. Nice to know someone managed to find old editions of nursing books and use them. Saves a FORTUNE - 90% so far. Waiting to find out if I got into a program and then I'll find books.

In pre-reqs I always take the book to class, especially if it is a primary source and teacher uses it a lot. this allows me to make notes right in the book (especially important if using older edition although few changes). If going to a different class or out and about, I might carry notes and flash cards from other class around to study, but not books.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To make it easier to cart those heavy texts, we went to Kinkos and had the covers cut off and holes put in. Then I just carried the chapters I needed in the same notebook with my notes. That way I could study anywhere. Also many of my texts where online so I could pull them up anywhere I had internet.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
To make it easier to cart those heavy texts, we went to Kinkos and had the covers cut off and holes put in. Then I just carried the chapters I needed in the same notebook with my notes. That way I could study anywhere. Also many of my texts where online so I could pull them up anywhere I had internet.
That is a very smart idea. But I just can't bear the thought of defacing my books like that!
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NeuroICU/SICU/MICU.

I never bring my books with me, I leave them at home. I'm in a non-traditional program, though, so I don't have a huge campus or parking issues to deal with, and I don't spend enough time at our building to justify bringing books to study from. Also, I learn better if I just sit and absorb the lecture, rather than following along in the textbook or whatever.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

our med-surg was available in a 2 volume set, great idea. i tend to bring reviews and rationales with me for whatever subject we're studying. our lectures are done on powerpoints, so as long as we have those we're okay to follow along with the lecture.

if you are the kind of person who feels they need the book, or your instructor lectures from them i advise getting one of those rolling backpacks. they will save your back.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

So there's no place in school to store your personal items? No lockers?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in E.R..

Our school doesn't have lockers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in General adult inpatient psychiatry.

I don't remember the last time I needed a book on campus and I've barely used my textbooks for reference at home this semester except for studying. Everything stays home unless needed for a project or something. I also have different classes every day (1-2 classes/day depending on the day of the week) so if I did need to, it wouldn't be a problem. We also don't have room to store things at school, unless you count in your car. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion