Notetaking

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BlazeoGlory

BlazeoGlory

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It might sound silly, but :
What have been successful methods of notetaking for everyone?

I have found that in undergrad I had a hard time keeping up with writing down everything of importance in my classes. Even though I would try to keep my notes short and to the point, I would end up writing full thoughts so that I would know what I was talking about later....and therefore sometimes miss the beginning of the professor's next topic...:scared:

I know there's more than ten times the amount of information in vet school, and I am trying to learn of some new techniques so that I don't get too far behind!

Thanks guys. 🙂
 
This may not always be practical, but reading the information before class really helps me. (Now late in the semester, I usually can't, but I try to start out that way.) I do this because at least I know what's in the notes, so I have a better idea of where the professor is elaborating on the notes and where s/he is just repeating them. This cuts down a lot on what I need to write down.

Also, I'm a MUCH faster typer than writer, so I try to use my computer whenever possible. My best friend, who is a faster writer than typer tends to use a lot of shorthand. As long as you consistently use the same shorthand, it can really help get things down faster.
 
oh yeah, laptop all the way. Only stuff not covered on the powerpoints. plus some paper for drawing stuff- like bond angles, neurons, cell membrane structure, castle wall design, whatever.

If the lecturer goes off on some random tangent, I take down the parts that seem to connect with what we're learning. If they read straight off the slides... I chat on skype. Better would be to re-form what they say into my own words.

For those lecturers who don't use powerpoint, typing lets me keep up with what they're saying- at least the basic, gotta get it stuff. And the sheet (or sheets) give me space to copy graphics or work problems. I'm sure a tablet would work about the same.

If you do use the computer + sketch paper method, use a standard naming system. I use the course name and either the date of the lecture, or the number in the series. Sometimes I put the subject discussed after that. Then the scratch paper gets the same stuff written at the top. And when I remember I back the notes up on google.
 
+1

I couldn't agree more, lazyjayn!
 
I'm not sure if your school is the same way, but at CSU we get all our notes printed out for us at the beginning of the semester (when we buy books). For me, I can just add to what is already printed, draw pictures, highlight certain things, etc. If you notes are not pre-printed for you, perhaps print hte lectures before class so you don't have to write down every little thing? Just a thought...
 
you may run into rather extensive handouts -- and then just jot down the 'extras' in the margins, because the prof has already explained it pretty thoroughly in the handouts.

otherwise, i'm in the same boat, except could handle the amount of material in undergrad. it really is difficult, if not impossible, to take good old fashioned hand notes in vet school. i'm trying to work out a system of hand notes and class handout margin notes. *sigh* still haven't gotten it figured out after year one.
 
Are small audio recorders, like the kind you can get with a MP3 player used/allowed?
 
i thought this was super cool! it's a tablet pc where you can either type, write on it, record a lecture at the same time. and when you go to view how it works, there's a scene where someone has MSN messenger opened and he's asking a classmate "what'd he just say" and you can write straight onto the powerpoint, write into word and it converts your writing to text. you can draw an image right onto the screen, use different colors. anyway, i'd wait to buy it till i got into vet school anyway because technology can always have tweaks, you know?

here's a link!

this link didnt work for me:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.mspx


but this is it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=K8s59ZBujnE&feature=related
 
That is amazing. I have to get a laptop for next year and it has to last me 8 years.... but that is really cool. Does anyone have one of these? or something similar?
 
Davis gives everyone the choice between a Toshiba Tablet or a macbook...I have the tablet and I'm pretty much married to it. My friends who have macs all like them as well; they have bigger screens. But I love being able to draw on my computer.
 
mtrl1 said:
Davis gives everyone the choice between a Toshiba Tablet or a macbook...I have the tablet and I'm pretty much married to it. My friends who have macs all like them as well; they have bigger screens. But I love being able to draw on my computer.
Click to expand...

What do you mean they give you the choice... ? Like you have to have one of them? 😕
 
I finally bought myself a laptop this past fall and bought the convertible notebook from HP. I'm so spoiled now! My books weigh more than it does, it's easy to take on car/plane trips, and when you convert it, you can use the stylist and write on it like a clipboard, click a button and save it all!

My next toy is going to be the pen that "scans" text like a highlighter and converts it to your computer.
 
BrumleyVet said:
I finally bought myself a laptop this past fall and bought the convertible notebook from HP. I'm so spoiled now! My books weigh more than it does, it's easy to take on car/plane trips, and when you convert it, you can use the stylist and write on it like a clipboard, click a button and save it all!

My next toy is going to be the pen that "scans" text like a highlighter and converts it to your computer.
Click to expand...

Have you tried using MS OneNote? I hear its great for tablet PCs.
 
I'm still pre-vet, but the MacBook works for me... I absolutely love it. I have one of the newer ones, in the smallest size. Takes some getting used to the small screen but it's normal to me now. Has a built-in recorder or if you don't like that one, or don't like hearing yourself type the notes during the recording, you can buy a fairly inexpensive mic to plug in and put away from your keyboard. I type b/c I can do it faster than writing, and my handwriting is terrible. I still use shorthand when I type, though.

The tablet PC sounds cool, too. There's supposed to be some sort of pad you can plug into a Mac or use Bluetooth to do that also, but I haven't looked into it yet.

The new Macs also can run Windows natively, and I was able to purchase Windows XP Pro for $100, and Parallels came free with a rebate. Mac says OEM version of Windows don't work, but mine did. I only use Windows when there is software we need to use that won't run on a Mac.

I have only had one instructor tell me they don't allow recorders, but she followed that statement by "but if I don't see it, as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't exist." The recordings work as backup for what I may have missed, and/or for reviewing material. Reading the chapters beforehand, if possible, helps tremendously also.

Hope that helps!
 
BlazeoGlory said:
It might sound silly, but :
What have been successful methods of notetaking for everyone?

I have found that in undergrad I had a hard time keeping up with writing down everything of importance in my classes. Even though I would try to keep my notes short and to the point, I would end up writing full thoughts so that I would know what I was talking about later....and therefore sometimes miss the beginning of the professor's next topic...:scared:

I know there's more than ten times the amount of information in vet school, and I am trying to learn of some new techniques so that I don't get too far behind!

Thanks guys. 🙂
Click to expand...

I use pen and paper myself. Our powerpoint slides are available online so I try to only write down the "extra" stuff the professor is saying. Although I do end up writing some of the powerpoint stuff too. So computers are not essential for note taking in vet school!
 
nyanko said:
Yes, for UCD you have to buy either the tablet PC they tell you to buy or the Macbook model they tell you to buy. It's a requirement that they make very clear.
Click to expand...

Wow. All the places I'm applying to for undergrad I have to pay more just to bring a computer and then in vet school they make you bring a specific one.. haha.

So do students pretty much have 2 computers within their 8 years(ish) of schooling?
 
It's really hard to keep a computer more than 4 or 5 years these days. Eventually they'll get to slow to keep up with the speed of the internet or upgrades in operating systems. My dad's computer (which he's had for 3 years) has recently become too slow to keep with his DSL. Also they begin to overheat and just have general maintenance problems. I had one desktop for 5 years and am on my third computer since undergrad 5 years ago. (Granted my 1 year old computer was stolen, hence my need for a new one, so it should've only been 2 in 5 years.)
 
Ideally I get a new laptop every 3 years, and rebuild my desktop (when I have one) about every year and a half. But I'm a tech junkie. If all you used it for was school- notes, papers, storing research, I could maybe see one lasting 8 years. But the graphics, programs, and notes might push your system past its limits at the 6 or 7 year mark.

Any virus, strange program requirements, or gaming would shorten that. Plus the battery'll be looking pretty sad at that point. If I were going to try to make something last that long, I'd get a PDA, accessorize with a folding key-board for school, and keep a desktop at home. That way you could swap out parts as needed, and if you lost the portable you wouldn't be out too much cash.

I am, tho, as I said, a tech junkie.

hyjack

Anyone else lusting/ drooling over the new ultra-light fujitsu? This one would actually keep me on task - no space for anything but work....

un-hyjack
 
PrimalMU, what is MS OneNote? I have never heard of it.
 
Mmm, yes, computers. Fancy things. So, umm, what was your question? 🙂
 
BrumleyVet said:
PrimalMU, what is MS OneNote? I have never heard of it.
Click to expand...

Its a really cool notetaking program that comes with MS Office. It basically lets you have all of your notes in one place via tabs. You can have a tab for each subject, and then tabs for separate sections within the subject. If you get the chance check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_OneNote
 
PrimalMU said:
Its a really cool notetaking program that comes with MS Office. It basically lets you have all of your notes in one place via tabs. You can have a tab for each subject, and then tabs for separate sections within the subject. If you get the chance check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_OneNote
Click to expand...


Thanks PrimalMU! I know what I'm doing this weekend!:soexcited:
 
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