Thoughts on this new note taking method I just thought of?

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

So I'm taking med surg right now, and lets just say im not doing so hot. so ive been trying to think of alternate ways to study because whatever im doing now is not really working.

im thinking about bringing a bunch of blank note cards to lecture, and while recording the lecture, writing down key points on the front of the note cards. Then going home and listening to the lecture and writing down the definitions/important info relating to the key points on the backs of the cards. then in my free time i can go over the flash cards and hopefully commit them to memory.

i have a bit of an ADD problem and just reading over traditional notes, or relistening to a lecture by itself bores me and i tend to not retain the information. i thought this method might work. what do you guys think?

[Staragate, ADN, ASN, RN]

that might make it hard to keep up. you might not catch all the key points the teacher is trying to make. if it works, go for it!

if a teacher posts the lecture ahead of time, print it out. have a couple of highlighters handy. (this is what i do.) i highlight the things the teacher touches on that i think i need to review. i use a special color the the points the teacher says "you need to know this" or repeats. i also never highlight everything... what's the point then? i go for key words to trigger my memory.

"the respiratory system transports the oxygen supply to the tissues." for example. then when i study. i read respiratory - transports oxygen. all the other words are just fluff.

[futurenurseya33]

@staragate...that sounds kind of awesome! i'm always looking for ways to improve my note taking methods. i'm starting the nursing program this fall and they do not allow recording the lectures.

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

one of our instructors post powerpoints, and i do the highlighting thing, but the other one doesnt and she talks pretty fast.. but i figure if i have it recorded i can rewind and get things i missed. i dont know, im getting desperate. hah.

[RhondaIndyRN]

Hey Ashley,

I think you've got a good idea here. I think I would write down the key points in a notebook plugging in pg numbers if your professor refers to them. Then, go back and listen to your recording and make your notecards. That way, you're not juggling a bunch of stuff when you're trying to listen. Making your notecards would be a great way to review the material and have flash cards to boot!

Good luck in your studies!

Rhonda:yeah:

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I say go for it! I am very visual and used to use anything from notebooks with colored flags and highlighters to note cards to drawing pads to get the information down.

I think as long as you have the lectures taped, then you have something to fall back on if the note cards get overwhelming.

Traditional methods don't work for all of us I say break the borders and try something new!

[sweetiepeas]

Do you reread the chapters before class? Well at least skim through it? Then you'll have an idea of what will be in class. Also do they provide learning objectives for that subject? I skim the chapters, then when I go back and read the chapter I have the objectives with me so I can pay closer attention to that.

Also what has helped is to take on patients that are having respiratory issues, while doing respiratory, etc..

Anyway, good luck!

[butterfly134]

Give it a go :) See how it works out and if you find that its not working or you feel like you are falling behind, try something else or go back to previous methods for a while :) best of luck!

[AOx1]

Think about using microsoft one note. You can record audio, type on powerpoint slides, etc. It is great. I've had several students with ADHD and they tell me they do well by recording lectures and listening while doing something kinesthetic such as exercising. This also allows them to take frequent breaks. Your idea might work and is worth a shot.

[caliotter3]

I would definitely add recording the lecture so that you have something to refer to if you miss anything. Have you looked into the Livescribe Smart Pen? This method is a definite asset for those who have any problems keeping up with their note taking.