NOTES...how do you take yours?

I'm a pencil and paper gal too....I also have a bunch of different colored pens and highlighters....I'm trying out Cornell Notes for each chapter and use that with the powerpoints given. This way I have notes and questions from when I read the chapters and then in class. I also am starting a notebook for each system with meds, lab values and nursing processes, etc. Each semester I learn new ways to take notes and how to organize.

I strongly prefer to write notes by hand, but my hand now gets tired and cramps up. So I'm starting to take my notes out of the classroom by typing them directly as questions on Qulizlet so I can create study questions at the same time. I class, though, I still write them out as best as I can. Our classes no longer allow us to record lectures, which is a bummer since I usually can't write fast enough to keep up.

Our teachers give us PowerPoints for each lecture. I make a brief outline ahead of time using the PP, go to the textbook and do the readings associated with each topic, and make notes of any vocabulary that I am not familiar with and any questions I have. I hand-write notes in class on the PP, then type questions into Quizlet to study with.

Make sure you're allowed to do that though! I know with many programs you aren't allowed to record in class because HIPAA. Teachers may reveal info about patients they had to make a point for the lecture that they need to stay within the class. Recording it technically violates HIPAA. That's what we were told anyway

I don't see how this could be an issue. Instructors should not be giving out patient details that could actually identify patients anyway. In my experience, the main reason instructors might not want their lectures recorded is because sometimes students will try to use them as bargaining tools like, 'We were never taught this!', 'But you said this!', etc.

I don't see how this could be an issue. Instructors should not be giving out patient details that could actually identify patients anyway. In my experience, the main reason instructors might not want their lectures recorded is because sometimes students will try to use them as bargaining tools like, 'We were never taught this!', 'But you said this!', etc.

Just saying what they told us. And we aren't the only program like this. I was just warning to double check and make sure this is allowed.

Just saying what they told us. And we aren't the only program like this. I was just warning to double check and make sure this is allowed.

I agree that they should make sure it's okay with the instructor first, regardless of the reason.

I don't see how this could be an issue. Instructors should not be giving out patient details that could actually identify patients anyway. In my experience, the main reason instructors might not want their lectures recorded is because sometimes students will try to use them as bargaining tools like, 'We were never taught this!', 'But you said this!', etc.

My professors didn't let us do it because classes were understood to be a closed door type of affair where we could share details of past patients and so could our professors. Many students would have clinical patients with an ailment we hadn't been taught in class yet, and then when we got to the class lecture on the topic, those students would have questions or comments about their real-life patient experiences. I think it enriched the lecture and was a good enough reason to disallow recording.

The other reason many profs didn't let us record was because of intellectual property. Those are their created lectures, their intellectual property, and students would put the recordings on YouTube and share them without permission. This apparently happened often enough that most of the professors I had for pre-reqs wouldn't let us record lectures either. It makes sense in a world of increasingly online education.

I print the powerpoints and scribble any additional info on them during lecture. When I'm studying I take a blank sheet of paper and write down any material from the slides that haven't learned yet/is still fuzzy. Less is more for me.

I believe taking notes in the K-W-L format is a great way of taking notes. Here is a link that explains the process KWL (Know | Want | Learn) Reading Method

I think that it's important to enter the learning environment prepared with prior knowledge (usually from the reading assignment) and with an understanding of what you understand from the reading and what you don't. This way you will know what you know, know what you don't know, and be prepared to ask questions and actively participate in class. This will make taking notes in class easy!

My professors didn't let us do it because classes were understood to be a closed door type of affair where we could share details of past patients and so could our professors. Many students would have clinical patients with an ailment we hadn't been taught in class yet, and then when we got to the class lecture on the topic, those students would have questions or comments about their real-life patient experiences. I think it enriched the lecture and was a good enough reason to disallow recording.

This is precisely the reason we were not allowed to record in class.

I believe taking notes in the K-W-L format is a great way of taking notes. Here is a link that explains the process KWL (Know | Want | Learn) Reading Method

I think that it's important to enter the learning environment prepared with prior knowledge (usually from the reading assignment) and with an understanding of what you understand from the reading and what you don't. This way you will know what you know, know what you don't know, and be prepared to ask questions and actively participate in class. This will make taking notes in class easy!

This is a good method, but as much as I wanted to continue using it in nursing school, I found it impossible. There was just far too much reading material and it was way too easy to read too in-depth if I tried to do it from the reading assignment. It worked fine in Fundamentals and Assessment, but once Med Surg and real clinicals started, I had to cut it out. Going to lecture allowed me to hear what the professors mentioned in class, and then I'd study only the necessary material. It was a much easier system.

It depends, you have to check if laptops are even allowed in your program. In my program , laptops users are asked to sit in the back in order to avoid distractions to other students. If you are caught using the laptop for something else, then you are no longer allowed to bring laptops to class. We are given power points and I mainly focus on that. Almost 90 percent of my exams comes from the power points and I write important information next to my powerpoint slides. I highly recommend you ask your professor for more tips in class, they can serve as great resource.