For Fun: Spiral Notebooks or Binders?

[Elizabeth Hanes]

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

[casi, ASN, RN]

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

Honestly you have to try a few things until you find your niche. My first year of college I used notebooks, and those just didn't work for me. I then switched to three ring binders, but I used the soft ones. Those worked okay, and then I discovered the hard 3 ring binders. Those are nice because you can use them to write on! It kinda helps with teh whole awkwardness of being a lefty because you can adjust the area you're writing on instead of falling victim to those horrible little desks!

Us leftys have issues. (more mental than anything)

[moonischasingme1]

oh, and if you use the binder and loose leaf paper system, definitely gotta buy those little sticky circle things in case the paper rips!

[Lesli61]

In the past, I took class notes on a legal tablet, then copied everything over to notebook paper and filed in a 3 ring binder along with all the handouts. I like to find related stuff on the internet and print it out and add it in. Especially stuff that helps explain concepts, etc.

I just picked up one of those new 'hybrids' made by Mead. It has 3 plastic rings that open like a binder, but it's more the size of a spiral, and you can bend the cover back like a spiral. I might give it a try...

I too love to shop, buy and organize my school supplies. I think it's the female 'nesting urge'. Kinda like wanting to clean and organize the house right before you deliver the baby! (I know, I went through it twice. In the throws of 1st stage labor I just HAD to scrub the bathtub!)

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

Ohhhh I just LOVE school supplies!!! I'm glad I'm not alone with this passion

I have a heavy 3 ring hole punch that I have at home here. Has anyone been able to find a lightweight 3 hole punch that is lightweight and portable that you can take to school with you???? Mine at home is just too heavy and big to bring to school with me and I'm not too good with the hand held hole punches that resemble scissors.

Ok, as far as notebooks or binders? I use hard 3 ring binders. I use to like notebooks but I just can't keep them organized, rewrite notes, or add pages in. I like the 3 ring binders because you can rearrange, take things out, put things in, hold punch handouts to add in, etc. I have 1 hard binder for each class, but I've though about switching to 1 of those huge 3 ring binders and keeping all of my classes together---becaue I don't like to have to be constantly switching out binders for different classes different days. I also have a plastic blue accordian type folder that I use a lot as well. I have slots in there for reference papers, handouts that need to be taken home to be punched out, scantrons, etc

I always have my mini stapler that everyone uses and paper clips on me. I also like those pink erasers, they are just the best! LOL

[marilynmom, LPN, NP]

i have a three hole punch that fits in the binder so i can immediately punch holes

where did you find this?? i need one.

[lisabeth]

I use spiral notebooks for notes, etc. I keep EVERYTHING! I use color coded expandable folders for all my study guides, and any other outlines, etc. I have everything in order so I can find it very easily. I bet others have better ideas, but that works for me. Good luck.

[piscesgirl]

For lecture, I use a legal tablet for notes then transfer to a 1 subject spiral. I also prefer the pentel RSVP, blue ink, fine point. When i read the book chapters, I use a 3 or 5 subject spiral, (I write down the important points and ideas). Then when the study guides come out, I use another 1 subject spiral for that. I find it easier to copy it all into a single spiral instead of trying to study from handouts, notes and the book. For handouts and such, I use a 3 prong folder. In labs I have a 3 ring binder, usually 2 inch, stuffed with a little loose leaf paper and a mechanical pencil. I also get a pack of 3X5 index cards for various uses, usually for flash cards, also have a 2 ring binder for those. Also can't forget the various highlighters, calculator, stapler ect. each class has its own color and all the notebooks and folders match. I know it sounds like a lot but I'm really anal about organization and study way too much but it's the process that works for me. Since I keep everything, I just have to get new binders when I get the matching folders and notebooks. You just never know when you need to refer back to something. I don't trade anything in and it's all kept on my bookcase, which is looking a little droopy lately.

[TRINI_RN]

Where did you find this?? I need one.

I have one that I got from office depot. They probably sell them at walmart/kmart too. They are great for when you get stuff in class, they can't do alot of sheets at onec though, so I usually do the big packets when I get home.

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I use a spiral notebook with perforated pages for each class. I also use a 3 ring binder for each class. In the binder goes any handouts, the syllabus, exams and quizzes, etc. I too have the hole puncher that slips in the binder. I got mine at Target.

All of my writing life I have used fine point black ball point pens. Then one day I had to write with a black THICK point roller pen. I swear seeing my writing in bold, thick, dark print made the notes burn into my brain faster. So I've been using these thick pens ever since. They are BIC brand, called Z4. Now I have the metallic gel version of these BIC pens too. I use the different colors to mark up my textbooks while studying. It helps to prevent being bored.

[bethin]

Depends on the class. If I'm taking Micro where I know I'll be receiving lots of info and handouts plus taking loads of notes I get a 3 ring binder. Then I buy seperators so I know where chp 1 ends, etc. I put extra important info in the back with a seperator so I know exactly where it is if I need it in a hurry. I'm very anal about how things are seperated and lumped together.

Now, if I was taking Algebra, I'd probably go for the notebook.

[Anjann, RN]

Take it from a nursing student about to graduate. Get in the habit now of using the 3 ring binders because all of your info will come from massive amounts of printed powerpoint presentations (30-40) pages per topic...that you will constantly be pulling out to study and putting back in order. Invest in a good laser jet printer and a good 3 hole punch now! And organize your work at all times! I keep spirals on hand to rip paper out of or to jot down something I don't want to lose, but that's about it.

Hope this helps!

[maliat]

Sometime, a long time ago, I started of with spiral notebooks. Now I use binders. My ideal situation is to have a nice big 2 or 3 inch binder for all notes and handouts (one for each class). I divide it up depending on the class. Sometimes it's by section and sometimes it's by class notes, handouts and test notes. Then I have a smaller folder/binder that I take to class with just the notes/handouts I need for the days class. It does not always work out this way, becuase I'm not always organized enough to know what I need to bring that day and I just carry the big binder.