note taking?

[Angelo84]

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All right all of you all knowing current students! I am wondering if people take notes in vet school? Is everything all neatly contained in the syllabi or is everyone frantically scribling during lectures? I realize this may well vary from school or school and indeed course to course but any general responses would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Spartanvet4cows]

For me it depends on the course/instructor. We had a few courses with 5 or 6 different instructors during the semester, and so each had a different teaching style. Sometimes I would sit there and drool on the coursepack that had everything laid out, other times I would be writing so furiously I couldn't read it later. Our school has gotten "Camtasia" for some of our classes which is a double edged sword. On one hand, all of the lectures are recorded (voice, plus any marks made on the power point) on the other hand, you're less inspired to pay attention the first time or even go to class. The med students at my school have this for all of their classes and so people rarely go to class. We had one prof that would let them record his voice, but not his power point presentations (even though you could print them out). I think it was because he had is own special set with test questions he could use to quiz us with and didn't want us to have them permanently. I'm sort of an obsessive note taker, and sometimes did it when it wasn't necessary but I wanted to have EVERYTHING written down.

In other words, don't worry, you'll be ok.

 

[kate_g]

I am wondering if people take notes in vet school? Is everything all neatly contained in the syllabi or is everyone frantically scribling during lectures?

So I haven't actually taken any vet school classes yet, but from the students I spoke with at the various schools I visited, it sounds like profs providing their powerpoint slides online, either before class or after, is pretty common. If they send them out the day before, then it seems many students print them out and bring them to class to take supplemental notes on the printouts. I didn't get so much of a sense that the whole detailed-outline-in-syllabus thing was very common, but that might be different at other schools.

 

[birdvet2006]

The majority of PowerPoint presentations were available either online or as handouts directly from the professor. I stopped taking notes as it became this way! A lot of people still took notes though, perhaps scribbling down everything verbally said.

We also had "comprehensive class notes" that would even save us from buying textbooks, especially for subjects like pathology and animal husbandry. We did have to pay for these spiral-bound books though.

(That's just from my experiences at Glasgow Vet School from 2001-2006).

 

[eaglemeag]

All right all of you all knowing current students! I am wondering if people take notes in vet school? Is everything all neatly contained in the syllabi or is everyone frantically scribling during lectures? I realize this may well vary from school or school and indeed course to course but any general responses would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

At Tufts, it varies from person to person. You will see a full range: people who don't do anything but listen during lectures, to people who take notes on their syllabi and/or powerpoints during class (myself), to people who tape-record and type everything at the same time. You'll figure out what works for you in a few weeks, but realize that it also may change from class to class, and/or what works for you this semester may not work next semester, so don't get too locked in to one style of note-taking.

FWIW, you get your syllabi before classes start, and they're pretty comprehensive. (I often found myself rewriting notes/syllabi because they were too disorganized for my learning style, not because they were lacking info.) Also, the PowerPoint presentations are almost religiously uploaded either before or during class, so you can take notes directly your file version of the presentation.

 

[Azawakh]

At Tufts, it varies from person to person. You will see a full range: people who don't do anything but listen during lectures, to people who take notes on their syllabi and/or powerpoints during class (myself), to people who tape-record and type everything at the same time. You'll figure out what works for you in a few weeks, but realize that it also may change from class to class, and/or what works for you this semester may not work next semester, so don't get too locked in to one style of note-taking.

FWIW, you get your syllabi before classes start, and they're pretty comprehensive. (I often found myself rewriting notes/syllabi because they were too disorganized for my learning style, not because they were lacking info.) Also, the PowerPoint presentations are almost religiously uploaded either before or during class, so you can take notes directly your file version of the presentation.

I second the comments of Eaglemeag. Why are you so smart!!!!! That's what I was going to say!!! See you soon my dear. Here we go again 😱

 

[jfitzpatri8]

I just downloaded livenote from seeplain.com

It lets you import your powerpoints and take notes side-by side with them, put in your questions, and tag things that you are confused about. It is then completely searchable. It has a freedrawing capability for those diagrams that get put on overheads by old school profs. It also lets you import .wav files, so that when you digitally record the lecture, you can attach it to the notes from that day. I think it is way cool. You can download it for a free 2 week trial- then it is $30, with a free gift of their other software, Quikpad... which is my new favorite web-surfing buddy. The website has Quicktime demos of both products.

I have it installed in my laptop, which is all that I take to school with me.


I also downloaded freemind, which is an open-source program for making mind maps, and is easier than using word and linking everything with connectors. It is here: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

I do all of this due to Lupus which has attacked my right wrist so that I can't hand write anything more than a check without excruciating pain.


I sound like an infomercial. Sorry- I have looked for years for the best options for me... and I have finally found them.

Good luck to all of you new first-years! It will be wonderful hell! You will love-hate it just like the rest of us!

Jenn

 

[LittleBit]

Most of our classes have Powerpoints that are typically uploaded to our class page soon after each lecture. We get a paper copy of most class notes on the first day of each class.

I'd agree with what everyone above me said about individual note taking styles & the fact that how you take notes might vary depending on the class or even which professor is lecturing.

I use OneNote, which was a free download from LSU's main campus. It allows me to type notes during lecture, which helps me pay attention, and uses tabs; horizontally for each subject / main heading, and vertically for each lecture / document. Helps me have all of my notes in one place without having a million Word files open & is also easily searchable in case you forget what a specific term means but know it's buried in your notes somewhere. You should definitely see if your university has any free copies of software, I was amazed at the list LSU has available.

 

[eaglemeag]

jfitzpatri8 - that's some nifty software you've linked! I think I'll try out livenote when school starts... I may be convinced to buy it!

Azawakh - I'm excited. Are you excited?? 🙄 Enjoy your last week of blessed freedom!

 

[jfitzpatri8]

Yep, Livenote is pretty sweet. Don't go straight to the site and buy it, though... download the trial and when you open it up it will give you a discounted price (and the quikpad for free).

I am an office-supply maniac. Every post-it, flag, cool pen or highliter set, the best in schedule managing (software or low-tech), if it exists, I have tried it and have an opinion on it.

I also do a lot of what I affectionately term "library building"- I buy a few books on each subject we are taking each term. Not necessarily the required and/or recommended ones, either. I have favorite publishers. I am a freak.

Anyone interested in this stuff, I sent a looooooong list to my little sib recently (on office supplies and software), and another, equally long one to my big sib the next day (on books tailored to specific subjects)- send me a PM and I'll forward one or both on to you. I also have a listmania list on amazon "Not just for Veterinary Students".

Jenn