Laptops and Nursing classes

Circejane · Sep 4, 2009

study the BOOK. lecture is pointless

I would say that this depends on the instructor. There are those who aren't so great, but there are those who are dynamic teachers and who help you understand the material better. It's also the time when you can ask questions and get things explained. I often use my laptop to look up some question that I have about the material, trying to answer my own question. If I can't find it quickly, I ask the instructor. Sometimes I've found some cool stuff online about a given subject that ends up getting shared with the class.

I do agree that you don't NEED a laptop in class, but I'm glad that I have one. It's also bloody handy to have between classes, for both coursework and internet surfing. :)

Trauma Columnist · Sep 4, 2009

Netbooks are the way to go IMHO. I have an Acer 8.9" aspire one and love it - it goes everywhere.

TessaMae · Sep 4, 2009

I agree with the other posters that say you should back up your stuff but as far as your computer..laptops do not usually just die in a few years but might start working a bit slower...unless of course you toss it in frustration or spill something on it, which happens more often than you would think.

I personally do not put my photos or music on my laptop in an effort to save some memory for school stuff.

I am bit concerned because I'm starting nursing school in the spring and I have a laptop that has been indispensible to me now, and likely then too. I have a Toshiba (1 GB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive) that is two years old. I've been told laptops start conking out around 3-4 years old and since mine has a "lower-level memory" it could be even less. I can't believe they only last a few years... I certainly don't want it dying on me when I have a bunch of notes stored on it the night before an exam!!!! Nowadays with the rise of the computer in education---should I expect a lot of software and stuff for classes that I might need an upgrade? Or will I be ok with my basic model?
Another possible expense...geez...

keithjones · Sep 4, 2009

I use a 14 inch asus, small enough it doesnt take up a whole desk but has regular sized keys, not cramped like a netbook, has DVD built in so no external drives, but still has 7 and a half hour battery life (I sit front row center with no need for power cords or nearby plugs)! The keyboard is quiet like a macbook so no clicking. I love it!

Trigirl.m · Sep 4, 2009

traumaRUs - I have an 8.9" Acer that I absolutely adore too! I bought the upgraded battery so it lasts me 10 hours or so - definitely long enough for school - and it is incredibly light. And yes, the keyboard is a "soft click" variety, so no noisy clicking.

I know many students who learn better by writing down notes from the lectures, but I found that I learn better when I have everything organized and easily accessible on my computer, with lecture notes, textbook notes, pictures, sketches, web links and lecture recordings all in one file.

As far as backing up all of your data: if you don't want to spend $50 - $100 dollars on an external drive, you could back up quite a few documents and other personal information on a thumb drive or CD/DVD. Also, some websites offer up to a few gigs of free storage (google docs, Microsoft live).

KEaFutureRNHopefully · Sep 5, 2009

I would get a USB flash drive and save notes onto that.

In regards to the clickers.. If you type faster than you write then go ahead and use the computer because there honestly no sense in NOT using a computer and losing some of the lecture because you feel bad about the amount of sound you're making. If you're afraid of being too loud use a recorder.

Some teachers you don't need the laptop at all.

But I've had instances where someone will bring up something they heard about nursing in the news and had our instructor go "Come on people with laptops, show me!" or instances where laws or some sort of protocol has changed or something is left out of the book and the laptop has come in handy.

MsAsia322, MSN, APN, NP · Sep 6, 2009

right - i do type way faster than i write. and i can shorthand on my laptop as well and then go back and correct my errors and make complete sentences.. i dare not try to do that on notebook paper lol .. when i try and write fast, i can barely understand my own writing.

also when im studying on my own, i take notes on my laptop and it makes it much easier to add in things when im taking notes in class... such a huge help!

too bad my class is on the bottom floor and i dont get the internet.. but im kind of glad, caz then i'd be on facebook all day lol :lol2: