Note Taking??

[amanda1102]

Hey Guys! So I finally finished fall semester in spring I will be taking Micro and unfortunately will be taking A&P 2 again. I need some advice on note taking because obviously my notes are not that great.

[RunBabyRN]

Recording the lecture can help to cover the gaps of what you miss. You might even be able to take pics of any visuals with your phone, which is something I've done. I used a laptop in class, and I can type faster than I write, then put the visuals in my notes as needed. Rewrite your notes while listening to the lecture after class, or at least go through them and fill in the gaps. I really like note cards, and that really helped me, as it was one more way I was going through the material, then I could review stuff as needed.

[ayshiiiii]

I always read the chapter before class and took my own notes and then took notes in class and before the exam rewrote the notes so they all were one and that helped me remember.

For anatomy 1 & 2 i would find blank copies of the systems we would work on and most of our lab practicals were to identify all the parts of the certain system so i would study the guide that had all the names and locations and then as practice would pretend im taking the exam and complete the blank page to see how well i would do.

Also ask questions or ask you professor for help. They can always help you if you tell them you're struggling.

[dt70]

User recorder. Don't let note taking interfere with paying attention. If something confusing, or too much info at once, only write down the time on the recorder display, and continue paying attention.

Visit instructor at end of class or office to help clarify confusion.

Never discuss grades unless in the context of information you failed to grasp.

Demonstrating your struggle to learn the information is worth more bonus points than mentioning how close you were toward a grade goal.

[ShelbyaStar]

Haven't taken human A&P yet, but have similar classes...

Definitely read before class. I used to make full outlines of chapters but that was really time consuming. I do sort of a calmed down version of an outline now and that still gets it in my head without using so much time or paper. I write the titles of sections in all caps, put a bullet in front of definitions, and - in front of individualized subjects, if that makes sense, and just continue it like that through the chapter. I have a lot of abbreviations that I use that probably would never make sense to anyone else but do to me and that's all that matters, and that saves time. You'll come up with your own as you go. Like I use +, -, arrows, > or

I like to use a dry erase board for a lot of things, especially for physiology stuff. It's really helpful to draw and redraw flow charts, systems, etc. For example, I drew and redrew a simple diagram of how blood flows through the heart and that really helped me. I even drew it on my test to help me through the questions. Reading ahead will give you a base to work with and you'll go into class knowing what you're struggling with and need clarification for. If it doesn't end up being covered in class you will know what to ask.

During lecture it's my hope that teachers post the powerpoints, which I print out and put in a binder and then add my class notes to them. If they don't post powerpoints I use a similar system to my book notetaking but am sure to retype them since they will probably be illegible if I don't redo them right away.

The biggest thing is to stay caught up. Study it every day and it will be much easier to remember and to build on.

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day:

Ditto on recording lectures.

Here are some links that may be useful in terms of improving overall study skills, taking notes, reading text books, etc.

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

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

Google Image Result for http://kenpitts.net/images/cornell_note_how_to.jpg

The SQ3R Reading Method

Time management

Reading University Level Materials--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read Effectively in the Sciences--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read and Study Medical Texts--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

More About Effective Textbook Study--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

An Effective Textbook Study Strategy--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Mark a Section of a Textbook Chapter--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Thank you.

[queserasera, RN]

I don't take notes in class (unless it's a math class.) I focus entirely on listening to the lecture and record the lecture as well. Then at home I listen to the lecture again and jot down a few things that seem helpful.

[Compassion_x]

What I do for studying includes reading the chapters (not even necessarily before class but definitely before the test), taking notes in lecture (and never skip our miss unless you really have to), watching youtube videos or using any supplemental information I can get my hands on. I also use flash cards when I can, and rewrite notes or type them over again.

[amanda1102]

Thank you all soo much!

[HelloWish, ADN, BSN]

I didn't take notes in micro. I only wrote down specific info which our instructor said to know. I found that knowing the professors teaching style helps. Once you figure out what they expect you to know, then focus on that info and how to learn it. It wouldn't have been much help for me to record the lecture either, because our micro teacher really expected us to know our stuff and didn't have time to lecture over a good portion of it. So, I went by her learning objectives and the info she emphasized in class. Then I studied the power points and filled in gaps with reading and esp. learned from Masteringmicrobiology.com - the online learning tool that came with my textbook.

[aeris99]

I bought my A&P textbook. I highlighted me pre-class reading in yellow and in class notes in orange. I also record lectures, make note of any videos used (my prof used youtube videos). Get a binder and separate it into chapter sections for notes. Use post it tabs in your text book, I color coded mine.

Find a study group first day and share notes. Get organized!!

Good luck!