Okay, all my professors use PowerPoint and make lectures available to print. I've always printed in put them into a binder since I cannot not focus on the content if its on a computer screen. Anyways I'm trying to decide how I should set up my binders for nursing school.
I'm debating between have one large 3 or 4" binder with dividers for all classes, separate 1-1 1/2 inch binders for each class, or a combo of the two with binders for related classes (health assess & fundamentals, health promo & gero, patho)?
I like the idea of one big binder because then I have everything with me and can relate classes and I can study for whatever class whenever I want without have to drag another binder along. But I also feel that carrying a giant binder around would be too clunky.
Any suggestions from students on what works for you or newbies on what you plan to do?
I print 6 slides per page, front and back so 100+ slide lectures really don't take up a whole lot of paper. I write small enough to fit any side notes I need next to the slides no problem. I have each lecture once a week for 2-3 hours, then labs/clinical for health assess & fundamentals. It works out that I have 1 or 2 classes a day with a 1-2 hour break between them. I'll be using those breaks to eat and study since I can't study notes at night for the life of me (I read at night because I can't focus on it during the day). That's a big reason why I feel like one big binder might work best for me.
As for syllabi, handouts and papers I was thinking of buying a file folder type thing that I can throw in my bag and bring with me every day. That is another thing I've done for years since high school.
I keep binders for all my books and classes. In short, I've had all my textbooks cut and drilled for cheap and placed into their own binders. As for the classes, I keep a legal writing pad for notes, and a 1/2" binder for each nursing class containing assigned reading pages from the textbook and handouts. I also utilize those dividers or binder pockets.
After each exam, I punch holes in my notes, and place those along with the material in my 1/2" binder into a 3" binder designated for one specific class so that when finals rolls around, everything we've covered is in one place ready to go. And when the class is passed, I leave it in my bookshelf and start anew for the next semester. So when I need to take my NCLEX, i just pull out my review books and my 3" binders.
When I was in school, our teachers had a packet of notes for us. Sometimes they would already be pre-bound with a cover (kind of like a book)...other times they would just be a bunch of notes that were already hole punched so we could put them in a binder. For the latter type, I would buy a 1 1/2in - 2in binder depending on the amount of notes. I think I ended up using a 1in for some of my other classes (Public Health Nursing and Nursing Research). If you don't feel like carrying a binder with you to class, just take out the notes that you will use for that day and put them in a folder.
I print 6 slides per page, front and back so 100+ slide lectures really don't take up a whole lot of paper. I write small enough to fit any side notes I need next to the slides no problem. I have each lecture once a week for 2-3 hours, then labs/clinical for health assess & fundamentals. It works out that I have 1 or 2 classes a day with a 1-2 hour break between them. I'll be using those breaks to eat and study since I can't study notes at night for the life of me (I read at night because I can't focus on it during the day). That's a big reason why I feel like one big binder might work best for me.
As for syllabi, handouts and papers I was thinking of buying a file folder type thing that I can throw in my bag and bring with me every day. That is another thing I've done for years since high school.
It sounds like you already have a system, go you :yelclap:. It can be a problem if you deviate too far from what works for you. Try sticking to your system and if it needs to be tweaked, then come back to this thread and look for something you think might work better based on your experience.
I needed a three inch binder spring semester with chemistry, microbiology, and physiology. It was really heavy by the end of the semester. I am thinking I am going to have a three inch binder this semester that I keep things we already did (all my notes and powerpoints and keep it in my trunk. That way my binder does not get as big and heavy as it did last semester. Our books are heavy enough! lol) and a two inch binder that I take to class. I am using that one 2 inch binder for my nursing classes we only have two. My other classes are online (filler classes to get me at 12 credits) I have one binder for those classes. I have a super interesting binder. I have a color system that works for me. I love starting every semester and adding to my binder system. Every semester I find something cool to add.
Hopefully this isn't too far off topic, but camwill, I would love to hear more about your color system and exactly what you do to get yourelf organized. Colors always seem to work well, as far as picking a different colored binder for different classes, but it sounds like you have something much more exciting than that going on!
I have a 3" binder for each class, with 1 folder for current power point or handouts after I rewrite my notes i add them to the binder, 1 folder for lab, 1 folder for case studies and assignments. I have a thin soft binder for my complete school/work schedule and syllabus. after each unit/test is done I have them placed in a spiral binder, during finals I have each test in its own plastic covered spiral binder. all my semesters are stored this way, with any NCLEX questions/review in my NCLEX binder.
For class/lab I only carry the small folder I need for that day, a notebook, recorder and books only if I really need them. Usually leave books at home.
Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.
Hopefully this isn't too far off topic, but camwill, I would love to hear more about your color system and exactly what you do to get yourelf organized. Colors always seem to work well, as far as picking a different colored binder for different classes, but it sounds like you have something much more exciting than that going on!
I use colors because I like them and they make my learning fun!! You are right it isn't my binder color that matters, it's everything inside it. For example my notes are one color and are the right side of my binder. My instructors notes are on the left side and will have the same color all year. This helps when I study. I do the same thing with my books and power points. When I go back and study for a test I know exactly why it is written. Teacher thought it was important or I thought it was important. Believe me it helps me, it may not help everyone else. But it makes me feel organized in my textbook, powerpoints, and notes. It is hard to describe it but if you could see it... It would make more sense. I am a A student and I am always improving my system or hoping I am lol good luck to you!!!!
By the way I do have other colors in there but it is kind of complicated to explain but did want to respond back to you:)
I use colors because I like them and they make my learning fun!! You are right it isn't my binder color that matters, it's everything inside it. For example my notes are one color and are the right side of my binder. My instructors notes are on the left side and will have the same color all year. This helps when I study. I do the same thing with my books and power points. When I go back and study for a test I know exactly why it is written. Teacher thought it was important or I thought it was important. Believe me it helps me, it may not help everyone else. But it makes me feel organized in my textbook, powerpoints, and notes. It is hard to describe it but if you could see it... It would make more sense. I am a A student and I am always improving my system or hoping I am lol good luck to you!!!!
By the way I do have other colors in there but it is kind of complicated to explain but did want to respond back to you:)
Thanks so much. I think I have an idea of what you are doing...maybe lol. It sounds like it could work out very well, I might ask for more specific info/pictures or something when October rolls around, as well start another group of classes then.
Specializes in Primary Care; Child Advocacy; Child Abuse; ED.
Thanks so much. I think I have an idea of what you are doing...maybe lol. It sounds like it could work out very well, I might ask for more specific info/pictures or something when October rolls around, as well start another group of classes then.
Yup no problem...it seems more complicated then it is. But like I said I have been adding and subtracting things that seem to work for me. By the way I had my first nursing class for fall and it is different. At least this first bit of information was mostly slides I needed to know. So I referenced slide 1 or 15 etc. we will see how it goes. I did do good I think for the first day;) we took a hesi critical thinking test I received a 910 out of 1000. Without even really knowing a lot of the material! I am happy they say you need 750 or higher. Well good luck!!!!
ChrisMarie09
103 Posts
I print 6 slides per page, front and back so 100+ slide lectures really don't take up a whole lot of paper. I write small enough to fit any side notes I need next to the slides no problem. I have each lecture once a week for 2-3 hours, then labs/clinical for health assess & fundamentals. It works out that I have 1 or 2 classes a day with a 1-2 hour break between them. I'll be using those breaks to eat and study since I can't study notes at night for the life of me (I read at night because I can't focus on it during the day). That's a big reason why I feel like one big binder might work best for me.
As for syllabi, handouts and papers I was thinking of buying a file folder type thing that I can throw in my bag and bring with me every day. That is another thing I've done for years since high school.