readings & notes

[zoe92]

Hi everyone,

I start my BSN this fall. For my fundamentals class, they assigned 9 chapters to read from our textbook (Kozier & Erb's).

I am trying to space out these 9 chapters because I am taking a summer chemistry course that ends in late July. So I don't want to cram in all that reading during my 3 weeks off in August.

My question is: when you read, what do you do? Highlight, take notes, make an outline, stab your eyes out? How do you remember the information, or at least understand it, & what is your "method"? I am looking for any sort of tips, advice & tricks of the trade.

Thanks in advance!

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

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.

[ambitiousBSN]

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

[zoe92]

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 :)

[ambitiousBSN]

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! :)

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

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!

[futuresctRN]

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.

[springchick1, ADN, RN]

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!

[zoe92]

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

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

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

[Tab11]

Thanks Pmabraham!!

[loriangel14, RN]

My text books usually had focus questions at the end of each chapter. I used to read and highlight and then at the end answer the questions for that chapter. Usually if you could answer the questions you had gotten what you needed to out of that chapter. I also was a member of a study group. It made a HUGE difference.