Is it worth $100

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 15, 2009

Mines cost about 70 bucks

VenaKavaRN · Jan 15, 2009

Only you can really decide if it's worth the price tag. If you learn really well by listening to lectures and your instructor is primarily lecturing, then yes I'd say it'll be worth it. If most of your class consists of group work and you learn better by doing things, then I'd say you'd be wasting your money.

caliotter3 · Jan 15, 2009

I wasted my money on a digital recorder. Couldn't figure out how to use it. Was going to take it back, but I kept putting it off and misplaced the receipt.

mkblakley07 · Jan 15, 2009

It's only worth 100 bucks if you are REALLY going to use it. Especially if you are an auditory learner, I think that the amount of use you would get out of it and the boost your grade will get for using it would be easily worth the money.

SweetNSassyRN2B · Jan 15, 2009

if you have the $100 dollars, i'd say it's worth it. i actually don't use mine to record my instructors (there's always too many side topics going on), so here's how i use mine.

after class i come home and record myself reading my notes outloud. this way i can place extra emphasis on certain topics that i know i need to understand more. plus my instructor can tend to be a little monotone, and her voice would be pretty boring to listen to. my recorder cost me about $60 from amazon. i love it. it's by no means top of the line, but it does the job.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/b0013nyb5s

i transfer my recordings to my computer, put them into itunes and then put them in a playlist for my ipod. that way when i'm working out, grocery shopping, or just walking to class and back, i can listen to my notes. it's worked great so far. every little bit helps.

that being said, if you're not an auditory learner, this may not help you, but i'd give it a shot!

good luck!

amanda

SiennaGreen · Jan 16, 2009

I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine. It's possible I am auditory, but I sit down with it and go back over the class either that evening or the next day. I think it really helped me lock things in long term memory.

When my schedule permits, I listen to my lecture while going over notes on the treadmill or when I go for a walk. It is really hard for me to find time to exercise, and it helps if I can say to myself "Well, you're studying while you're doing it!"

truern · Jan 16, 2009

I'm an auditory learner and I used a voice recorder in NS. I'd burn it onto a CD and listen in the car, while shopping, etc. To me it helps with retention of materials to hear it repeated several times.

Mine was about $100, too.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2009

I loved mine, I'd say yes it is worth it. My system was to record the lecture while listening and taking only brief notes (basically an outline). Then as soon as possible after class I'd transcribe the notes in detail by listening to the tape. You will be amazed at what things you would otherwise miss! I ended up with mostly A's (only two B's in Adult I and II :) ), and everyone wanted my notes to study from!

happilymarried · Jan 16, 2009

The next time you are in lecture, just try to listen without watching for a few minutes, do you think what you hear will help you with your studies? I have one instructor that does a great job breaking things down verbally but some others just do not say much more than what is on the outline anyway. I still use my recorder but honestly, listening to a grainy 2-3 hour long lecture instead of just hitting my books and notes really isn't that beneficial for me. I do, however, use it for any test reviews the instructors throw our way.

back2thebooks · Jan 16, 2009

I think they are worth it. For me, at least--I'm a visual learner--I sometimes miss things which are said aloud. So, to be able to listen to and rewrite notes is helpful. I didn't spend $100 on mine, though. I read a lot of reviews and did a lot of research (I'm a nerd) and I bought this one http://www.adorama.com/IOMVN5200.html

shann106 · Jan 16, 2009

I wasted money on mine. I tried to use it but even with it laying on the instructors desk the noise from people moving around, rustling papers etc was so distracting that I couldn't concentrate on the instructors words.

I am not the kind of learner that gets much out of listening to muffled lectures.