Handwritten notes/laptop for classes

[Piglet68]

Hi All,

My question is this, do you take your class notes by handwriting them or do you use a laptop to type out the notes while in class?

I asked this cause I am returning to school after graduating college 18 years ago. Back then I handwrote, but laptops were around. Don't laugh I took a computer class back then with 5 1/2 inch true floppy disk. You know where you inserted one disk first and then another in order to run a program.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated I starting Pre-reqs in a few weeks?

Thanks,

Piglet:typing

[nightmare, RN]

I suppose it depends on how fast you can type! You've got to factor in,balancing a laptop,concentrating on the lecture plus typing,as apposed to holding a notebook and pen and scribbling down notes.I know I'd have to concentrate on the keys so much I would probably lose track of the lecture.Just my thoughts.

[curlysue82]

I find it easier to take handwritten notes during class and re-type them later. This also helps me remember the material.

[NurseJeanB]

Neither, I bought myself a recorder and that way I can really concentrate on the lectures and not worry about handwriting or typing notes. I then convert the recordings to MP3 files and load them on my IPOD. I listen to the lectures over and over in my car, while doing housework, cooking dinner, and attending my son's sporting events.

Some of my classmates that also have a recorder, go home and then type up notes from the recording.

Best regards,

Jean

[hikernurse]

I handwrote my notes. There are often diagrams, etc. that are on the board and that doesn't translate too well on a laptop .

Plus, writing notes down helped with memory for me.

[richardjboro1]

all my instructors thus far (jr year of a bsn program) have had powerpoints. They are pre-printed for us in binders and are printed 3 to a page (usually) with the note lines on the side. I take hand written (very few) notes and review the slides for the tests. I have a laptop, but rarely use it anymore in class.

[Rubor]

I never take my laptop to class just because my teachers are always drawing little charts on the board. While I can do that with my laptop cause its touch screen I feel like handwriting is just quicker.

[Jaguar Boy]

It all depends on your personal preference. I'm a faster typer than writer, but I wouldn't feel confortable carrying my computer around with me...too many people with sticky fingers. I finished my first degree a few years ago and always handwrote my notes...sometimes I recorded my lectures, but for the most part, I didn't really have the time to review them later, so I gave up on that. Everyone's different, it's probably best to try out a few different methods and see what you're most confortable with. Good luck!

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

what ill do is ill take my laptop and i can record the lectures with it, then i will also add my notes and everything, and take a jumdrive i case the professor allow us to get a copy of the presentation, then i will transfer the lectures to my iphone, and print out my notes to a binder... and keep it so when i graduate i can pass it forward!

[diveRN]

Unless you have an ultra quiet keyboard, the tapping of the keys can be irritating and distracting to others in the class.

Lots of research suggests that the physical act of writing down important lecture points aids in memory storage and recall. Any instructor worth their salt will have preprinted lecture notes that you can use to "fill in the blanks."

For more complex or weak subjects, I actually took notes in class and then rewrote them in outline form the week before an exam as part of my study routine.