...and it was a SUCCESS! I enjoyed every minute of it, even the parts where the lecture got boring haha. For the first half of the class, I was taking notes by hand even though I had brought my Ipad to take notes. The second half after my hand was tired and starting to cramp, I decided to try out my Ipad even though I was pretty self-conscious since no one else was using any electronic devices to take notes (we are allowed to use them in class for note taking).
Let me tell you what! I LOVE taking notes with my Ipad. I am paying more attention and focusing more because I am typing instead of handwriting where I occasionally will put my head down, be tempted to doodle, let my mind wander, etc. I am using the app Notability for taking notes and it is awesome! It also has a voice recorder, so as I am taking notes, it is syncing what the instructor is saying to correspond with the words I am typing. I haven't checked on that yet, so we will see if it is really syncing.
I have a case with a "built in" keyboard that can be removed from the case and set on the table. The side of the case has Velcro so I can angle the screen as much as I want and move the keyboard to wherever feels most comfortable.
**And to those who will say things like "might as well just use a laptop if you're going to add a keyboard" or "it is just an oversized Iphone", please refrain. I have a laptop, but fact is, my laptop is huge. It has a big screen and considering the amount of big, heavy books I have to take to class, I really appreciate something small, light, and compact. My ipad fits perfectly into my backpack whereas I'd need to carry my laptop case seperately.
I'm not saying that using an Ipad or any other electronic device will be some life altering event towards note taking, but for me, it really did make the difference.
If you can afford it, I HIGHLY recommend doing so! And if it's not within your budget, you will still do awesome note taking anyway. :)
I'm not angry at all. Not even a little bit. I was amused - which is where the word of advice about keeping a sense of humor comes in. Coming from my perspective, it is highly amusing to hear a student proclaim success on their first day of class. Highly, highly amusing.
This is where you evaluate:are you laughing with her or at her? She wasn't laughing at herself, she was making a proclamation, and a darn good one. You are being condescending and then trying to backtrack with "being amused." You were mean. If you did not intend to be mean, then say so, and state your true intentions. But people who need defending keep defending themselves.
Specializes in MPH Student Fall/14, Emergency, Research.
I am using the app Notability for taking notes and it is awesome! It also has a voice recorder, so as I am taking notes, it is syncing what the instructor is saying to correspond with the words I am typing. I haven't checked on that yet, so we will see if it is really syncing.
I used Notability throughout my 4th year. It is a great little app. Also check out iProcrastinate - I wish I had it for my entire program. It seriously saved my butt and kept me on top of everything :)
Good luck in school and I hope the enthusiasm persists through the inevitable highs and lows of your schooling future. Welcome to nursing!
Thanks everyone for all your positive feedback. I did let the negativity momentarily bring me down, but I bounced right back! To everyone that hasn't had your first day, I wish you the best of luck! Go in with a good attitude, be organized and ready for notes, and talk to the people next to you before you start class; they are all probably feeling the same way you are and it feels good to know you've made a new friend. If you come prepared, there is no reason to worry! I will admit, I was filled with anxiety the night before and my stress level spiked when I couldn't figure out which books I should bring. But I figured it out, went to bed, and woke up with excitement!
*A side note: everyone should consider for your particular nursing class (such as mine is the Spring nursing class of 2014) on making a private Facebook group for you and your fellow nursing students. We use Angel as some of our classes are hybrid and a fellow student sent a message to all of our classmates on Angel saying he made a private Facebook group for us all to join so if we have any questions, concerns, etc. we will be able to ask! He made it about a month ago and I can personally vouch on how effective it is!
That's how I figured out what books to bring for the first day; I posted my questions and I got my answer. Just make sure that whoever decides to make the private group (you or someone else) keeps up with it and everyone tries to answer each others questions. No point in having a group if no one participates/tries to help one another! The only thing with a private Facebook group is that you have to add the person who created the group so you can be invited to it. So the guy who sent the message had told us he created the private group and to add him on Facebook so we can be invited into the group. It's worth a try and it can potentially set some of your fears aside!
Good for you. My first day is Thursday and im overwhelmed with different emotions. Hope my day goes as good as yours. I have an ipads as well that I plan to bring in place of my laptop but np keyboard here
Keyboards are super cheap. BUT I've found that, while typing is faster than writing, I simply do not retain it as well as if I write it. Typing for me is kind of like driving to your house - no conscious thought required.
Good for you hun! I wish I was where you are now in nursing school. I'm doing my pre's and next Fall I'll be the millionth poster stating how my "First Day of School" went. Let me warn everyone now I'm SUPER EXCITED!!!! Fall 2013 can't come fast enough.:)
Woooooow!!! I sarcastically applaude those who have posted their pessimistic remarks that are of little value and demeaning. I will never fully understand why people tend to post their filth on here and assume that they are being helpful. I also can't believe how people on this thread can be so negative and downright disrespectful towards a fellow nursing student who was willing to share with us her first day of nursing school. Let me say a few things that I always tell everyone who have or WILL come people who are drowning in their own miserable tears. Never, let people like that get to you in ANY way, shape or form. The only reason why they feel the need to bring people down is because they are not happy themselves and thus they take it out on others and they should find ways to deal with their personal issues. I'm sorry but I believe that people who put others down are missing the qualities of what a real nurse is suppose to be like, in my honest opinion. Real nurses don't do that, but rather they do the opposite. They provide helpful insights, advices, experiences, we share our moments of good and bad together and most importantly, we are there for eachother in hard times when we need a shoulder to lean on. Keep up your positive and ethusiastic attitude, OP! Keep your head up high, do the best you can, learn the best you can and most importantly enjoy the many upcoming adventures that nursing school will have to offer! We are always certainly open & ready to hear people's experiences of their first day of nursing school. I remember being in your shoes once years ago, so it brings back precious memories. I'm glad that you enjoyed it so far, I wish you all the best and I don't doubt your success.
As Thumper's Mother always use to tell Thumper: IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE, DON'T SAY NOTHING AT ALL.
If this doesn't help here's a video of Thumper saying it:
Well in that case, may your second day be as successful as your first. Don't forget to breathe!
P.S. You may find that having a sense of humor and being able to laugh at yourself will serve you well in your quest for success once the initial enthusiasm wanes.
Wow. Amazed . The OP is excited, he or she figure out a balance soon by themselves, and you just pretty much ruined the first day excitement for no good reason.
I was thrilled on my first day of school this summer because I was on time.
My alarm went off in the am instead of that annoying thing where I set it for 6pm and then blame the alarm for "not working right."
I was able to find a parking spot in the same zip code as my classroom.
I was able to FIND my classroom.
I didn't have to borrow a pen.
I didn't have to eat lunch alone in the bathroom.
I looked pretty cute in my scrubs, or as cute as you can look in overpriced pajamas.
AND I REMEMBERED TO BREATHE.
Success? Sure, why not.
If you were in my program you'd always have a seat at my table. Why?
We've known each other, for so long.
Your feet are aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it
And if you ask me how I'm feeling
Don't tell me you're too tired to see
Now day two went pretty well. I stabbed a pillow for most of the day and reminded my friend to not stab me as she was taking with her hands and an uncapped 1 1/2" needle. I had a great sandwich for lunch outside while I watched butterflies land on a nearby bush.
Yesterday I answered a bunch of questions for a first level nursing student in the parking lot and she seemed pretty grateful. With all that said I know I have care plans, and labs, and all kinds of stress ahead of me, and I am currently trying to get my kids to do the dishes and being met with a serious argument. Reluctantly the younger one just stormed off into the kitchen to wash dishes. Success!
I'm excited to start school soon as well. Don't let anyone get you down. We are SUPPOSED to pee rainbows right about now! Lol. I know it will be hard but I also know it won't be worse than my undergraduate degree was. I find there are many negative people and I choose to ignore them. No sense in letting someone else's bad mood bring me down too. :)
I have an iPad but typing on it is slow so I planned on bringing my MacBook pro and the iPad just to record with. It didn't occur to me to get a keyboard. I'll have to look into that.
Any other apps people recommend? I have audio note to record and sync with notes. I'm going to check out I procrastinate now.
You just have to ignore the people who are burned out and grumpy. Best believe not everyone feels like they do, especially if they are actually making good grades and progressing well. Its the small things in life that people like them overlook and thats why they are so grumpy. Continue to be positive because being negative and stomping on someone else's enthusiasm only leads to you being a horrible burned out nurse who should just give up the profession. Welcome to the world of nursing.
kmlnielsen
59 Posts
This is where you evaluate:are you laughing with her or at her? She wasn't laughing at herself, she was making a proclamation, and a darn good one. You are being condescending and then trying to backtrack with "being amused." You were mean. If you did not intend to be mean, then say so, and state your true intentions. But people who need defending keep defending themselves.