Note-taking tips

Published

Since I start my fundamentals lecture on Monday, I was wondering if any of you had any note-taking advice for nursing lectures. Did you use a computer to take notes or just pen and paper? Any other tips and tricks? I have also purchased a digital recorder so that I can listen to the lectures again while studying at home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I use good old fashioned pen & paper. I also use a digital recorder & use it to "fill in the blanks" after class. Our instructors post their powerpoints as well and I print them out before lecture and will use them as well.

Be sure you don't take so many notes that you confuse yourself. We have a guy in our class who does that frequently.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks! I've never used a recorder before but I'm going to try to get in the habit of using it this semester. It's supposed to allow me to transfer the files onto my computer, which means hopefully I can sync them onto my iPhone and then listen to lectures while I work out, clean, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

what digital recorder do you all recommend?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LDRP.
Thanks! I've never used a recorder before but I'm going to try to get in the habit of using it this semester. It's supposed to allow me to transfer the files onto my computer, which means hopefully I can sync them onto my iPhone and then listen to lectures while I work out, clean, etc.

you should be able to use your iphone as a recorder itself, and bypass all the syncing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

Our teachers all post their Power Points on our program website for each lecture. Some students print them out 4-6 slides per page and others just type them in the PP itself.

I type as I go in the notes section but not directly on the slide itself.

m

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

I write brief notes during lecture and reference page numbers in the textbook. I'll highlight important sentences in the textbook and use stickies to tab the textbook. I also print out the PP and write a few notes where needed on it.

Then when I'm home I'll read the text and PP and write my real notes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
you should be able to use your iphone as a recorder itself, and bypass all the syncing.

I like to keep my phone tucked away, otherwise I'm too tempted to reply if I get a text message.

I got a digital recorder at my college's bookstore. I don't remember what kind it is off the top of my head, but it's very small and compact and I believe was about $50.

I'm starting my Pharm class on Monday, too - I'm planning on making note cards for that class to try to memorize everything. From what I've heard from other RN students at my campus, Pharm is the hardest class for most people.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I still can't decide whether I want to use a notebook or my laptop for note taking. I think I'd rather use my laptop because it will keep me more organized. Also, in MS Word there is a "Notebook" feature that's really cool--it's laid out like a paper notebook, has dividers for different sections, and also has a recording function that works pretty well for recording lectures.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got all excited about the Notebook feature, but I guess that's only on Macs. :crying2: I have an HP laptop.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I got all excited about the Notebook feature, but I guess that's only on Macs. :crying2: I have an HP laptop.

No, its not only on Macs. There is a Mac version of this and a PC version as well.

If you have Microsoft Office version 2007 or 2010 then you most likely have the notebook feature. It's called "OneNote". You can actually record on that as well. Im pretty sure you have it, just look. And Im telling you to look because I had Office 2007 for about a year before I realized I had "OneNote" on my PC.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have the 2007 version. Do you remember how you find it?

Edit: Okay, I just searched for it and found it. Thanks so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion