Nervous New Student..trying to get prepared! HELP!

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Nervous New Student..trying to get prepared! I start nursing program in Jan 2013 and am working on getting all of my supplies and items needed for my first day/week of class. There is so much to get done, buy and plan. Don't have much time or money to waste.

Have a quick question and appreciate your feedback. Based on your experiences as previous or current first time nursing students, what do you think is better -- Binder (maybe 2") with dividers & loose leaf paper OR a 5 subject notebook with separate folders? :wacky:

Specializes in Inpatient Obstetrics.

Separate notebooks for each class have always worked for me and a 5 divided portfolio (I separate by powerpoint slides, quizzes, hw, syllabus, etc.)

But you have to see what works for you, just make sure to be organized

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I found my method to be great.... We use PowerPoints for all out sections.. so I usr those new binders from staples (2in) that has the rubber outline... But it is pretty expensive but good investment! And instead of using paper folders, I came across the plastic folders that won't rip with all the movement of the folder... I'll be using it again next semester!

I use the pull tabs to organize also... It keeps me pretty organized...

Ditto the plastic folders! I have been using them for years and they are still holding up. Although I do prefer 1" - 1.5" binders for my current exam's material with the plastic tabbed dividers to separate syllabi, power point notes, quizzes..., along with a 5 subject notebook for hand-written notes. I also have a mini 3-hole punch that fits in my binder because I'm a bit nutty and can't stand loose papers floating around. After an exam, I transfer all of the "old" material to a giant binder that stays at home so I don't have to carry around as much stuff to and from school.

I would also invest in a good calendar with plenty of room for each day. I would not be able to stay on track without one.

I did purchase a rolling backpack which I will be using once I start my "real" nursing classes in January. I'm sick of breaking my back with a regular backpack. So we'll see how that goes once school starts. I may end up using the elevator much more :)

I have to admit, buying new school supplies is one of my favorite things to do. I have already spent a small fortune on pens, notebooks, binders etc... since I got my acceptance letter. It's not like I NEED new things though...but new things are so fun!! :)

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Buying school supplies is also one of my guilty pleasures. Because I am limited to space in my house, I am also going to invest in a nice plastic tote so that I can keep all if my "home" stuff in one central location while giving the appearance of being uncluttered. This way I keep my dining room table looking normal.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

When I start back up in school again this January, I am going to use a 2 binder system. My 1st binder is going to be a large 3 inch that everything will be put into, divided by individual units. All of my coursework from my classes from start to finish will be in that binder. The 2nd binder I'm going to use will be a smaller one, approximately 1 inch, and that will have everything that I need to use on a day-to-day basis. Effectively speaking, that is going to contain all of the notes, PowerPoint, and whatever else (like handouts) that I will need for a given unit. After that unit has been completed, everything will be transitioned over to the large binder.

While I have gotten very good grades throughout my schooling so far, transitioning over to this particular organizational style will certainly help me further.

The only other thing that I need to remember to do is to utilize my "brain" far more often and not rely so much on memory to ensure that I get everything done in a timely manner.

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I am addicted to school supplies !!!! I bought a 2 inch binder last semester and I like it with the plastic dividers with pockets.. Worked out great!!

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I use binders, I have 3 in ones and they were hardly just big enough, I am going to buy bigger ones for this semester. We use power points and print them off and bring them to class, pluss our prof's give us hand outs.

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I use a separate one subject note book for each class to take notes. I file those notebooks away for future use. I mark chapters assigned for reading with post-it tabs for easy reference when studying. Don't use loose leaf anything. The amount of notes taken(in my experience) can easily get disorganized that way. Oh, and binders are heavy. The books are heavy enough on their own without adding the weight of binders, folders, laptop, etc. pack light. Your back will appreciate it.

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I also do the large binder at home with all of my course material, and smaller folder in my bag with what I need for the day. I found these flexible folder things by mead at Walmart last semester...I'm in love. They hold as much as a 1" binder, but they fold in half like a spiral notebook so they fit on my tiny little desk for writing. And they are bendy and take up so much less room than a stiff binder. I highly, highly recommend them! I've already got next semester's course work separated out into binders and divided by exams. Overzealous. ;)

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I'm glad you posted this. I had a lot of the same questions. I start in January as well. I'm even curious about the little things, like, what kind of bags does everyone take to clinicals with them to carry all of their things? What kinds of planners does everyone use that they've liked? What supplies could you not get through nursing school without?

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