How to Keep Track of All of Your Notes As a nursing student, you are required to take multiple classes that deal with a wide range of different topics. You may find it difficult to stay organized, as you are constantly taking notes for each class. It is important that your notes are arranged in a way that works for you, making everything readily available as needed. If your professors allow it, you can record sessions and take down what you missed during class. Moreover, if you use a computer, some programs can act as a virtual binder allowing you to organize everything properly. Related: Is Social Media Important for Nursing? Use a Binder Having a large binder with everything inside can be super useful. You can organize your binders according to class, and you can organize the content within your binder according to chapters and subject. Try to utilize the front and back plastic covers to insert papers that express your schedule, class times, or due dates. While using a binder, try to incorporate sections by using folders for each chapter or general subject. Alternatively, you can organize by topic or organize everything alphabetically. Organizing Notes When you are in class, try to stick to the same note taking protocol. A common technique used is utilizing roman numerals. Organizing your notes and content with proper headings and subheadings will help to make reading your notes a lot easier. Moreover, it will help you to further organize yourself, allowing you to stick certain note topics in certain folders. Invest in a Few Office Supplies It doesn't hurt to invest in a hole puncher or stapler. If you get handouts from your professors, you'll be able to place each one in your binder with the use of a three hole punch. Moreover, by stapling certain documents together, you will be able to see which Subjects belong together more easily. Sticky notes and colored pens are also a great way to help organize yourself. You can make a chart that to remind yourself of what each color stands for. Your goal should be to keep everything in place, and make sure that all of your notes are easy to read and
understand. This will note only help you stay organized, but it will also help you to study and better understand what you are looking at. Related: Two Part-Time Nursing Positions vs. One Full-Time: Which is better for you? It's Great to Be Organized Organizing your notes in an efficient way should be a primary focus when it comes to your schooling. As long as you find a system that works for you and with you, you should be ready for the task ahead. How did you stay organized when you were in nursing school? Related: Leading Nurse Practitioner Michele Barutio Stephens, FNP, MSN, CCRN, AORN, FAAPM to be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare as New Member of the International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter