What's in Your Backpack?

[LaceElaine]

Hello everyone!

My time has come! I've been accepted and now comes the real work! I'm still riding the high of the excitement before the dread sets in when I actually have to endure nursing school!

So, in preparation, I'm trying to find the best organizational solutions. I find that good organization diminishes a small amount of anxiety and I think we can all use as much help as we can get in that department. So what do you do to stay organized? For example, planners, binders, folders? What's your system? Lastly, are there any supplies that you've found to be incredibly useful? Like a folding clip board. I've found that many students are opting for the WhiteCoat folding clip board that fits in your scrub pocket!

Anything advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!.

[Compassion_x]

In my backpack: two binders with powerpoints and handouts, a folder with assignments, more lecture stuff, a 5 subject notebook for notes, a ton of notecards, lots of pencils and pens, tampons, contact solution, ibuprofen.

In my clinical bag: two folders, med book, lab book, stethoscope, bandage scissors, measuring tape, pen light, pens/pencils, clipboard with notebook, contact solution.

[LaceElaine]

What drug book would you recommend? Great suggestions everyone!

[LaceElaine]

Congratulations! I have two bags, one for class days and one for clinical days.

In the clinical bag:

reusable water bottle

a couple of healthy snacks

WhiteCoat clipboard with clinical forms, assessment forms, institutional policy notes, etc

stethoscope, pen light, extra battery for pen light

extra pair of socks (I live in NYC and walking from the subway in the winter sometimes means snow in your shoes)

Penguin caffeinated mints

Dr. Grip pens (I love these pens)

smelling salts snappies in case something makes me feel faint (never had to use them)

flash cards for whatever exam I have coming up

extra lip balm, extra hand lotion

alcohol wipes and flushes always end up in there

extra rubber bands for my hair

My class bag is a rolling backpack, because I have to carry a ton of things on the subway (always save your back!):

A white binder for each class with 5 rainbow dividers with pockets- one pocket/divider for each exam during the semester

index cards because I'm addicted to flash cards

Crayola pencil erasable highlighters (I hate liquid highlighters)

Dr. Grip pens (try them, you'll see!) and refills

stapler

rainbow page flags (I use a different color for each exam during the semester)

single dose packs of Aleve, ibuprofen, and aspirin

Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy drops for pre-exam stress

lozenges (to give out to other students- someone is always coughing and it's distracting)

lunch bag (I like to bring lunch from home)

warmup jacket for cold classrooms

student planner (I write EVERYTHING on it)

extra pair of socks (see note about socks above)

if it's winter, pocket warmers, if it's summer, scented freshwipes

freshening spray for hair, extra rubber bands

extra lip balm, lotion, hand sanitizer

Fresh Ones sanitizing wipes to wipe my desk with (especially during cold & flu season)

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting. I like to be super organized, and so far it's helped me stay on the Dean's List, so I encourage others to do the same. I see other students get bad grades all the time simply from forgetting assignments or getting behind on material, and when you have to get an 80 or better to pass, every point makes a difference.

Your suggestions are perfect! This is exactly what I was looking for! You have so many great ideas, most of which I hadn't even thought about! Thanks so much!!!

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

I'm coming back to this thread because I JUST packed my backpack for my first day of classes tomorrow. So surreal! I have a spiral bound notebook for each class, a planner, several highlighters and pens (I don't do pencils), sticky notes, spiral-bound index cards, and then my wallet laptop and charger. I'm sure I will adapt as needed and I think I need to get myself one of those folding clipboards.

Heeeeeere we go!

The spiral bound note cards are a good thing to have to study. I used them for lab values and pharm. Walmart carries those hard plastic closed clipboards for about 7 bucks. I use them for clinical. I only use one large binder for my classes, with dividers. The texts are so heavy I cut down anywhere I can on weight! Steth/BP cuff for lab days, which I have to switch into my clinical bag on clinical days. You will get a system.

[LaceElaine]

Would you say I would need a larger backpack? I've read mixed opinions. Some say to buy a large rolling bag while others say they get by with an average book back because they leave their books at home. I know I'm probably over-thinking everything, but I'm just so excited and want to be as prepared as possible. :)

[ellaballet]

I do a binder for each class, on the front I have a list of all of the assignments due and the dates for that particular class, on the back of each binder I printed a copy of a giant calendar I made that has all of my tests and assignments for all of my classes. I also have an agenda where on Sundays I sit down and write out to do lists and figure what homework I should try to tackle what night.

I also keep headphones, hand lotion, hand sanitizer, chapstick, snacks, highlighters, pen, pencils, flashcards, and ibuprofen in the front pocket of my backpack.

[ellaballet]

Would you say I would need a larger backpack? I've read mixed opinions. Some say to buy a large rolling bag while others say they get by with an average book back because they leave their books at home. I know I'm probably over-thinking everything, but I'm just so excited and want to be as prepared as possible. :)

I use a small backpack but I only bring the binders for that day and small books I know I'll need/use. I also have a locker at school where I keep spare gym clothes etc just in case.

[LaceElaine]

Thanks ellaballet! Great suggestions!

[ejf28]

@ellaballet Do you know which building will all the classes take place in? I have to select which building i want my locker to be in.. (MCPHS Worcester) Help! I will be commuting as well.

[tnicnat]

Definatly a rolling backpack - books and one notebook per class, notebook has dividers with powerpoints for each chapter, folder and a notepad. I take my Ipad instead of laptop, I have a flash drive if I use a computer at school and then bring that home to upload to my computer. I have a bag of different color pens, wood pencils, highlighters, an electric pencil sharpener, 3 hold punch. I have a pencils bag of all different kinds of post it's different sizes, each chapter has a color for main points. Flashcards too, a must have.

I like the idea of wipes and vitamin c and such. I'm buying a voice recorder in Jan for classes so I can plug in when I'm driving and listen to lectures. I also have a drug, nurses and medical dictionary, oh ya lab value small books too for those tons of case studies!

I like all the ideas, wipes are a must I'm going to get some for class - oh yea hand sanitizer is a must, flu season is the worst this year!