what do you use: notebooks/binders/other??

[Maycee]

I am starting the BSN program in Jan and I was trying to decide what is best for lecture notes and handouts. Do you use indivdual notebooks and folders, 3 or 5 subject notebooks or do you use a big binder? just curious as to what you all use.

My classes will be:

Health Assesment/Lab

Health promotion

Pharmocology

Fundamentals/Lab

Thanks!!

[Gompers, BSN, RN]

When I was in school, I had a regular spiral notebook for each subject and a matching folder to go with it for handouts and such. I'd keep track of subjects by color, and because they were regular spirals and folders, they didn't weigh down my backpack. For my easier non-nursing classes, I'd just study from the notebook and handouts. But for the nursing courses, I'd re-type my messy notes from the notebook, adding bits of extra info from the book if needed, and then placed them in a three-ring-binder. That way, I'd get a mini-review each time I transcribed the notes, I'd make the notes legible while the info was still fresh in my mind, and when it was time to study for a test, things were very organized.

You're talking to someone who admits to being a bad student (never really read the book unless I had to, almost always crammed for tests - usually an all-nighter) and I had no problem passing all my nursing courses with this method.

[DDRN4me]

Ok, please don't laugh at my ocd like my dds do. Each class ( I take 2 a semester ) has its own backpack (in case i'm in a hurry) In the backpack is pens and pencils, highliter, the class text, a 1 1/2 " binder..which has the syllabus with the class assignements in a plastic paper protector, then a plastic pocket thing for anything that is due, and another one for pending stuff. then I have my notes behind a divider labeled??? class notes. did ya guess?? then i have the looseleaf paper for taking notes in each class. My last instructor had alll of our class notes online, do i would print them out and read before class and they were in the book acording to date! Any handouts are holepunched and put in with the classnotes from that day. I also keep index cards for study notes for when i have down time! it really worked well last semester, and i get to use the dds leftover backpacks (heavens you wouldnt use one two semesters in a row!!) so its cheap too!!!:)

[blue eyes]

I keep lecture notes for each unit a display folder - which can be printed off WebCT in power point format. For lab reports and essays I use a display folder, again a separate one for each unit and I write all notes taken during tutorials in an exercise book, including handouts.

[glopop11]

I use a separate spiral notebook for notes and a pocket folder of the same color for handouts. One of each for each class. Then I have 3 ring binders for each class which I keep at home. Once we've been tested on the info, I transfer it all to the binders.

[RedSox33RN]

I used a 1" binder with dividers for each unit in Nursing Fundamentals, then when an exam was done, transferred all my notes/handouts and dividers into a big 3" binder. I like using loose-leaf paper for notes, so I can rearrange as needed, but have many notebooks, as I do use them for studying and quizzing myself.

BTW, my daughter's name is Macey! :)

[DenaInWyo]

If I find that we will have ALOT of handouts, then I will probably switch over to the binder type...I don't really know what to expect yet!

Oh..you'll have a ALOT of handouts. :chuckle

May I suggest *several* one inch binders, or a couple of 3 inch ones?

My one inch binder for one semester of just the lab portion of process is crammed so full of handouts that I can barely get the rings closed. From what I read around here, it's pretty much the same all over.

Deana

[manna, BSN, RN]

If my school would "get with the times" and have wireless connectivity in our classrooms, I'd invest in a laptop and keep track of notes/handouts (on WebCT) that way! Would be so much easier, and I can type much quicker than I can write anyway! :)

[sabrn2006]

Our instructors give us handouts (often several) for each lab and lecture. We also have multiple booklets which are distributed to us throughout the semester. The sheer volume of paperwork was overwhelming for me until I got used to it. A 2" binder with dividers worked fine. I found that I often needed to refer back to things we had previously covered or to one of the booklets for reference. Leaving this binder at home is not an option! I just set up my binder for this semester (starts 1/18). It's pretty empty now but not for long...