For Fun: Spiral Notebooks or Binders?

[Elizabeth Hanes, BSN, RN]

This is just for fun.

I'm excited about starting the fall semester in a few weeks, and school supplies are on sale!!! One of the most fun parts of school, for me, is getting all the shiny new stuff for organizing my classes.

So, here's my question: how do you organize your coursework? Do you use a single, big binder with tabs? Individual spiral notebooks? What about folders? Do you prefer the Pee-Chee style with flaps along the edges, or the traditional pocket-style? Or perhaps you don't use folders at all?

And what about writing instruments? Do you like a mechanical pencil for taking notes? Pen? Gel or ballpoint?

C'mon, people! Let's get down to the nitty-gritty here! :roll

[missninaRN]

I prefer perforated spirals with pockets. I tuck several pages of loose leaf paper into one of the pockets and take my notes on this. After class I re-write my notes into the spiral, and include drawings if necessary (love my new Crayola retractable colored pencils!). I also tuck handouts into the pockets. I have one spiral for each class. As we finish a section, I tear the pages from my spiral and transfer them to a notebook with one divider for each section completed, so I have everything on hand to review for the final but don't have to haul it all around with me. My dividers have pockets as well to hold all of the handouts for each section

I use a fine point black ink pen for note taking.

[browneyedgirl71]

I love buying new school supplies also :) I use binders with tabs because our profs have a lot of printouts, syllabi, notes, etc. that we buy or download before the semester starts. I organize them by the week because that is how their syllabus is layed out. I also use folders with pockets that I insert into the 3 ring binder in case there are any handouts in class. It's crazy...I usually have the big 4 inch binders!!

I used colored pens a lot, esp if the prof emphasized something....it helps me when I'm studying. If I'm using blue/black ink, I LOVE the retractable Bic pens

[jem1013]

i much prefer a binders, i have a three hole punch that fits in the binder so i can immediately punch holes in handouts and put them in the appropriate section of the binder. i have to do things this way to keep my self orginized or everything ends up a big mess and i'll eventually lose something important! i also prefer black gel pens for note taking, if i want something to stand out in my notes i'll either highlight it or put stars around it so it will stand out on the page.

[prmenrs, RN]

I used to get binder paper and put several pages in a portfolio or a file jacket. I'm left-handed and I hate trying to write in spiral notebooks. I like taking just the paper--not as heavy. And the portfolio has pockets to put stuff they hand out in class.

I am addicted to school supplies/office supplies--I see all these neat things, and have to remind myself I have absolutely NO reason to use them so don't buy them, OK?

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I used a spiral notebook for taking notes in class. Then I'd copy them over later...not only more legible but that's the time to fill in the blanks for whatever you missed (transcribe tape from class or refer to text). I ripped out the sloppy pages that I'd copied over and had a "fresh" page on top always for the next class.

Along with each lecture I'd punch in whatever handouts were given: no searching for "what went with this". EVERYTHING dated!

I started with a fairly narrow 3-ring binder, adding an index tabbed divider for the next course, each module in order. After a while I changed to a larger ring binder, continuing to add each semester's class notes in turn. I would take this binder with me to class and it was SO nice to quickly flip through and find something during discussion....it wasn't uncommon to be discussing something from a previous semester, a disorder or condition or whatever, so it was quite handy. I didn't always do this, though; some days I liked to travel with merely the spiral notebook and go light!

By my last two courses, though, that binder was pretty large and I only carried with me that thinner one I started with in first semester (appropriately tabbed for the latest course). I now have on my bookshelf two binders: one for about a year and a half's worth of stuff, another for the final haul.

Easy to reference when I studied for NCLEX, too

[Elizabeth Hanes, BSN, RN]

In the past, I have used individual spiral notebooks, but I always felt disorganized. Every night, I found myself scrambling to find the notebooks I needed for the next day's classes. Plus, I had a lot of loose paper stuff -- printouts of powerpoint lectures, etc., and could not keep them in my spiral.

So, this semester, I think I am going with the binder system. I've got a 2" binder laying around here already (DRAT! No excuse to buy a new one!), and also a 4", in which I can archive everything.

Personally, I like a rollerball pen for note taking. Mine happens to be purple ink.

I also am addicted to office supplies. And also "organizing" supplies, such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid totes, bins, baskets -- all of that stuff. It would make an interesting study to find out why this stuff is so appealing!

[moonischasingme1]

I prefer big binders with dividers. I generally use loose leaf paper when taking notes, but if it's a class that requires a lot of note-taking then I might opt for a spiral notebook:lol2:.

I like to write in pen, but I don't like ball-point because they're too inky. I just like plain ol bic pens.

[Pixiesmom, BSN, RN]

I bought a big binder to use this time. I've used spirals notebooks in the past and it was always a pain. I work on campus part-time so I plan on using our office's 3 whole punch to add hand-out's to my binder. I hate using pencils with a passion but I invested in a nice mechanical pencil last semester to use for Math tests and for scan trons. I already have a stapler, folders, a highlighter, a scientific calculator, a graphing calculator, and a box full of index cards. I just need to pick up or make some dividers for my binder.

[casi, ASN, RN]

Each class gets it's own 3 ring binder and I anally organize it. I otherwise get messed up, lose notes, and go a bit crazy. Don't use folders since I can 3 hole punch EVERYTHING! Needless to say I've invested in a good 3-hole punch.

Pencils I perfer the sharpen your own kind because I can then get a lot of differnent ones with funky designs. You can get small hard pencil holders that you can put in your bag so the pencils don't break. Pens I only use Pentel RSVP. I'm picky and these are the pens I like the best. They write nicely and they are thicker. Also as a lefty they don't smear against my hand. Highlighters are also a plus, I only use them to highlight the VERY important things. I can't stand notes where EVERYTHING is highlighted.

I also carry a mini stapler on me and a small container of paperclips and extra staples.

Can anyone tell I'm anal about school supplies?

[Pixiesmom, BSN, RN]

Each class gets it's own 3 ring binder and I anally organize it. I otherwise get messed up, lose notes, and go a bit crazy. Don't use folders since I can 3 hole punch EVERYTHING! Needless to say I've invested in a good 3-hole punch.

Pencils I perfer the sharpen your own kind because I can then get a lot of differnent ones with funky designs. You can get small hard pencil holders that you can put in your bag so the pencils don't break. Pens I only use Pentel RSVP. I'm picky and these are the pens I like the best. They write nicely and they are thicker. Also as a lefty they don't smear against my hand. Highlighters are also a plus, I only use them to highlight the VERY important things. I can't stand notes where EVERYTHING is highlighted.

I also carry a mini stapler on me and a small container of paperclips and extra staples.

Can anyone tell I'm anal about school supplies?

Sounds good to me! I forgot to post my pen preference and I am a pen snob, the Pentel RSVP is my favorite too.

[trjohnson0213]

I was wondering the same thing about school supplies I have bought a few things but was not sure fo what I was going to use and not use I have always liked to use loose leaf notebook paper and a 3 ring binder but now I am rethinking that after reading your replys