Tips for getting organized?

Nursing Students General Students

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I've read a lot of posts talking about how important it is to "stay organized" when youre in NS. I'd like to hear some tips on what works for you. Let's here some details and specifics :) Thanks!

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Specializes in Private Practice- wellness center.

I have an oddly placed bookshelf next to my study space, plus I live and die by my calendar organizer. (I use Google calendar and sync it with my phone.)

To keep my house organized and semi-clean, we do the Fly Lady method, then it's basically clean as you go. :D

Dinners? Easy stuff during the week, sometimes I'll spend a few hours on a Sunday cooking meals for the week and keep them in containers. I ALWAYS at least spend an hour and do all the prep work for the week's dinners. (Or if we have the funds, I call the Schwan's man. LOL!)

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For me the first 2 weeks of nursing school had me overwhelmed because I struggled to figure out how to organize all of the material for my 4 classes. I finally ended up buying a 4 1/2 inch binder with lots of dividers and arranged all 4 of my classes in it. Tabs for each class included: syllabus, schedule, assignments, powerpoints and lab (each week had an individual tab). Many of my classmates preferred separate binders for each class but a lot of times they either grabbed the wrong binder or needed information from another class but did not have it with them. To me the clumsiness of such a large binder was worth the inconvenience because I had everything at my fingertips. The trick to organization is to look at what your classmates are doing and take the ideas that work best for you along with your own ideas. Once I figured out a system for myself - it was smooth sailing!

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I have an oddly placed bookshelf next to my study space, plus I live and die by my calendar organizer. (I use Google calendar and sync it with my phone.)

To keep my house organized and semi-clean, we do the Fly Lady method, then it's basically clean as you go. :D

Dinners? Easy stuff during the week, sometimes I'll spend a few hours on a Sunday cooking meals for the week and keep them in containers. I ALWAYS at least spend an hour and do all the prep work for the week's dinners. (Or if we have the funds, I call the Schwan's man. LOL!)

I love Google calendar synced with my iPod. I've thought it would be great for NS.

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I once had a binder that had a clear pocket on the outside that you could slip a piece of paper in. I liked to slip a sheet in with the schedule for the class in there. It helped me identify the binder (which class it was for) and show me how far we've made it.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

The most important thing to keep organized is your brain. It's easy to get the various concepts and terms you'll learn mixed up.:up:

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Specializes in 10.

I divide all my classes into one binder each, and when you open the binder the name of the class and time is listed on a bright piece of construction paper.

After I have finished my readings, and assignments I pack them up in my bag. I then take the bag out to the car, where it is ready for me in the am.

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I divide all my classes into one binder each, and when you open the binder the name of the class and time is listed on a bright piece of construction paper.

After I have finished my readings, and assignments I pack them up in my bag. I then take the bag out to the car, where it is ready for me in the am.

Packing up the night before is a smart. You won't end up forgetting stuff in the morning rush.

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Tips for organisation:

  • Have a place to put your nursing books- always leave em back in that place
  • Have folder for each module and keep notes in that binder.....try to keep your notes neat, its easier to study from clean, tidy, not cumpled sheets of paper
  • Do a weekly shop so you have all your food supplies at home, saves time ( and money)
  • Keep your apartment tidy- a little bit everyday saves a hug spring clean at the weekend
  • Have pencil case with all your supplies- pens, ruler, stapler etc and keep em in your pencil case so that you always know where to find them (its the simple things that help)
  • Have a notebook/ diary- write in all assignment due dates/clinical hours and check it everyday to make sure you are punctual (punctuality is VERY important in nursing)
  • The night before clinicals have your bag packed with your uniform, black pens, notebook, any notes you need
  • Make your lunch the night before NS or clinicals, leave it in the fridge and take it with you-not left with no time to do it in the morning and it could save money too......sometimes its cheaper to bring a packed lunch :)
  • If you are on clinicals and have an early morning start- the night before be sure to lay out your clothes, a towel and set your alarm, so all you hav to do is roll out of bed and hop in the shower or get dressed and you aren't searching for clothes......its not easy searching for clothes at 6am
  • Don't forget to timetable in a night out and some break time aswell.....it is possible but make sure you get your work done first. I find that knowing I have a night out to look forward to makes me work harder :)
  • If you are struggling or find you are really stressing, ask for help! Lecturers are a great support but friends (once you know they are hard workers) are just as good at times- cos you can talk to them at any time day or night! lol :)

Best of luck! Im studyin for my BSN atm and I love NS :) :) Can't wait for the summer hols to be over so I can get back to it !!!!!!!

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Specializes in Student.

I plan to make my study area off limits for my family - in the past they have "needed" something - which never made it back to my Desk.

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I would live by getting by books ready the night before. Comes in really handy when you are running late. The way my schedule was laid out, I was able to have a binder for each day. I'd carry only the material with me since the last test. After the tests, I'd take the notes out and put them into individual binders, one for each class.

A decent sized calendar was also a huge help. I could see at a glance what tests and assignments were due, which shift I had for clinical and the like.

Good luck. With a little trial and error, you can find what works for you.

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Thanks for all the tips! It's all helpful stuff. I've been thinking about getting a rolling backpack to save my back though I may wait until school starts to see how much stuff we actually need to lug around on a daily basis. Do you all use them?

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