readings & notes

I read and highlight the first time through. The second time I skim over everything but pay special attention to what I highlighted and I take notes on the chapters then. What do I highlight? It depends. If it says, "pay special attention to, or "the nurse at this point". I also highlight anything talking about culture. We seem to have a lot of questions about cultural differences on our test.

Zoe, I just realized this was you! It's Corrine.

Zoe I [i']just[/i] realized this was you! It's Corrine.

Haha, too funny! I have never known any of my other nursing friends to be on this site! So glad you are :)

Right! Your posts just kept sounding so familiar regarding our program and this one pretty much confirmed it, especially with your username being your name. I've been checking this forum every day for new ideas to go forward with, so chances are we'll be comparing each other's lists and whatnot to make sure we're good to go! :)

My problem is that I do not learn by reading alone . Even if I had 7 chapters of reading, and I sat down and read everything, I would retain very little. I have to make the reading assignment into a writing one as well, I do this by taking notes usually in outline form. I type quicker than I write, so I usually just type them right into Microsoft OneNote, and attach them to my classroom notes. I also utilize end of chapter tests and I always keep a notebook open so if something catches my eye, and I want to research more information later I write it down for later.

Good luck!

Here's what I do. I read, and try to understand. I do not try to memorize. Then, once I get my powerpoints, I take the points that are covered in them, find them in the book (where there is usually more information on those points, that couldn't fit into the powerpoint) and I make an outline, with the points and under it the information from the book about those points.

I'm a junior in a BSN program now and that's how I got through my first year of nursing school- fundmamentals, patho, etc.

Hope that makes sense.

My problem is that I do not learn by reading alone . Even if I had 7 chapters of reading, and I sat down and read everything, I would retain very little. I have to make the reading assignment into a writing one as well, I do this by taking notes usually in outline form. I type quicker than I write, so I usually just type them right into Microsoft OneNote, and attach them to my classroom notes. I also utilize end of chapter tests and I always keep a notebook open so if something catches my eye, and I want to research more information later I write it down for later.

Good luck!

I'm the same way but I have to write them to retain the info. Typing is mindless to me so I'll never learn it that way. I wish I could though. It would save me a lot of time and hand cramps!

Thank you everyone! These are very helpful tips. I can not just sit & read because I lose focus & retain nothing.

Hi:

This afternoon, I took a free workshop offered by my school on how to take good notes.

Please find attached scans of the hand outs I was given in case they may be helpful to you.

The professor who did the workshop believed the Cornell Note Taking System could lend itself to creating flash cards.

Thank you.

Taking Effective Notes Presentation.pdf

Note Taking Tips.pdf

Note Taking Symbols and Abbreviations.pdf

The Cornell Note-taking System.pdf

Thanks Pmabraham!!

I would like to add that each chapter has objectives (ie: "upon completing this chapter...). It will be something to consider the further you go into nursing studies to continue to set up studying in objectives, focus on figures and charts, and organize your studying based on the nursing process.

I used chapter objectives, as well as setting up the nursing process to know the subject; ie data collection to know about commonly used assessments, labs, processes, and identified nursing diagnoses, interventions, and evaluations. It helped me grasp the content and be able to organize my practice as a student and as a nurse.