Note taking advise?

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 3, 2014

I'm also (hopefully) going to be a nursing student this upcoming fall (I'm still waiting on the letter). I'm usually the one who has ALL my notes super organized and detailed because I'm too scared to leave out anything that might be on exams. I think this is applicable to whatever kind of courses you take: I read the chapters beforehand, and note which topics are the most important and which topics I don't really understand. Then, I focus on those aspects particularly during the lecture and try to include examples that the instructor provides to help me understand the concept better. Also, prepare ANY questions you have before. Even if it sounds stupid to you at the time, there are probably a handful of students in the class who are wondering the same thing or didn't think to ask it. I tend to write down EVERYTHING the instructor says. It's a bad habit and leaves me with a extremely cramped hand after, but at least I have more notes than not. I then go back within the same day and rewrite my notes in outline form while reading them aloud. It's just useful for me to have it organized in such a way and allows me to skim through them more easily. I'll also draw out diagrams to help me understand concepts. I'm a visual and auditory learner, so these tactics help me remember it better. I'll highlight important concepts that the instructor emphasized or terms that I struggle with. I hope some of these tips help. Congratulations and good luck!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 3, 2014

Hi Jessica:

Here are some resources to check out:

Note Taking Systems - Academic Skills Center: Study Skills Library - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Developing Study Skills

Cornell Notetaking System Explained--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Taking Lecture Notes: Cornell Method--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

And while not directly related to note taking systems, I've found this article to be extremely helpful for every single class I've taken to date: https://allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/how-get-any-846733.html

I think it is a good idea to record lectures. I record mine, transfer the the recordings to my cell phone (so I can use playlists), and then listen every chance I can get. It also helps to listen when reviewing notes to see if I took notes incorrectly, missed something, etc.

Thank you.

RunBabyRN · May 3, 2014

I used a Word document, and when we had PowerPoints, I'd save them and write my notes in the notes section below the slides, that way I knew which slide my notes pertained to, and I wasn't re-writing everything on the slide.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · May 3, 2014

Personally, I loathe PowerPoint, but you can print them as PDF (PDF is a print choice in just about every computer-- look under Printers) and then use the note-taking little quotie bubbles feature in Adobe Pro (a very useful upgrade from Reader) to plaster all over every page with your notes.

For Anatomy and Physiology, get the Anatomy Coloring Book and the Physiology Coloring book, available online from your favorite bookseller, free 2-day shipping from Amazon for students. This is not a joke and not a comic book, but a real, good resource that my students said saved their behinds in this class.

Get the hard copy, not the online download or the iPad version, because part of the reason it's so good is because it engages different parts of your brain when you use your colored pencils to help you retain the material.

There are no shortcuts for A&P because they're a big part of being a nurse. This is definitely NOT a course you will pass and put out of your head, because after you take it and get into the nursing coursework it will be an integral part of the critical thinking process; your faculty will expect that you remember it. These books will be excellent reference for you when you start seeing real patients. This is unlike any other education you have ever had, trust me. Get the books.

The Physiology Coloring Book (2nd Edition) by Wynn Kapit, Robert I. Macey and Esmail Meisami(Oct 3, 1999)

The Anatomy Coloring Book by Wynn Kapit and Lawrence M. Elson (Jul 5, 2001)

4boysmama · May 3, 2014

I bring my laptop into class and use OneNote (it's part of Microsoft Office). It records while you type, and then syncs the two so you can go back after and click on any word in your notes and it will play what was recorded when you typed that word. It's pretty awesome :) I do cornell-type notes, bulleted lists mostly. I like one note because you can clicka nd type anywhere on the screen, so you can add in extra stuff . You can also add pictures anywhere, so I'll grab graphs and such from the text book online and add them into the notes. Plus, there's a onenote app for my phone, so I can read over notes anywhere - especially useful if you've got kids who play lots of sports so you're always at the field!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · May 4, 2014

I don't take many notes at all in lecture, because we basically go over the power points and then we have our assigned reading. We take PrepU quizzes which you can take over and over (I'm into the 3000 range now after first year). To study for tests I hand write the power points. Time consuming but it works for me.

TheNew1 · May 4, 2014

Those links are awesome! Thank you!!

microsinger · May 5, 2014

I discovered cornell notes in a&p and found it to be a great way to supplement either text reading or instructor power points. I would also pull a concept out and 'mind map' it and found it to be very effective when I was having trouble with concepts. Mind map videos available on YouTube. You may think it's silly but it works for me and it's a great tool to use when you only have 5 minutes and want to squeeze in a mini session.

TheNew1 · May 8, 2014

Mind maps aren't silly at all, my study group would write on this huge mirror at one of our friend's house where we would study. It really helped!