Organizing for vet school

Veterinary Science Graduate Programs from U. of I.
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Riaton

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Does anyone have any tips for organizing for vet school? I am the type of person that has papers flying everywhere and no schedule or calendar to keep all meetings, tests, etc organized.

I will be using a computer with one note on it for all my notes. But besides that does anyone have tips for organizing a calendar? Do you use a paper planner or an electronic one? Does everyone set aside specific times for studying each class a day? Such as I'm going to study for such and such class between 5-6 then another class from 6-7...

Any tips about organizing school things or even other house things would be extremely helpful. I am completely clueless when it comes to things like this!
 
Riaton said:
Does anyone have any tips for organizing for vet school? I am the type of person that has papers flying everywhere and no schedule or calendar to keep all meetings, tests, etc organized.

I will be using a computer with one note on it for all my notes. But besides that does anyone have tips for organizing a calendar? Do you use a paper planner or an electronic one? Does everyone set aside specific times for studying each class a day? Such as I'm going to study for such and such class between 5-6 then another class from 6-7...

Any tips about organizing school things or even other house things would be extremely helpful. I am completely clueless when it comes to things like this!
Click to expand...


1) Microsoft Onenote- Put EVERYTHING in it. Class schedules, exam schedules, etc. I have a tab for each class, and then one for schedules/calendars/to do lists/ reminders

2) Google Calendar - syncs to Iphone if you have that, easily accessible from any computer. I print each month of the semester into OneNote as well. I do different classes in different colors and put all exams, study sessions, review sessions, labs, etc into there. I used to put all my individual lectures in too, but it was just too cluttered and the exam entries were getting lost

3) White boards. I have a giant white board calendar that I put the exam schedule on. Its right next to my desk and I cant walk through the room without seeing its evilness.

4) Dropbox - back up all important files (including OneNote). You can access it from any computer.. If you don't already have a dropbox, let me know and I'll give you a link that lets you get some extra space for using my referral.

I'm paranoid so I also back OneNote up to my hotmail account
On top of that, I generally end up with a giant binder or two divided into each class, because sometimes I just need to get off the computer and handwrite study guides and things like that.


Big thing is to find something that works for you. Doesnt matter what everyone else does if it doesnt help you! Try a few different programs and calendars and see what you like.
 
Riaton said:
Does anyone have any tips for organizing for vet school? I am the type of person that has papers flying everywhere and no schedule or calendar to keep all meetings, tests, etc organized.

I will be using a computer with one note on it for all my notes. But besides that does anyone have tips for organizing a calendar? Do you use a paper planner or an electronic one? Does everyone set aside specific times for studying each class a day? Such as I'm going to study for such and such class between 5-6 then another class from 6-7...

Any tips about organizing school things or even other house things would be extremely helpful. I am completely clueless when it comes to things like this!
Click to expand...

I use a paper planner. I couldn't function without it. A lot of classmates use calendars on their computers/internet but that doesn't work for me. One note is amazing so that should help keep your notes in line if you stick with it. As for studying, I prioritize everything and go from there. For example, if I know I have a quiz the next day in a class, I study that first/longest before moving on to other subjects. Everyone is different and you will just have to figure out what works best for you from trial and error.
 
Is OneNote available on a laptop or just a tablet type computer?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile
 
I'm a pen and paper kind of girl for notes, so all of my class stuff goes in divided binders.

I use flash cards to study for most things. Make them at flashcardexchange.com and down load them onto my iPad using a flashcard app.

For calendar, I like an app called awesome note, but I used to just write everything down in a paper planner. I put my general class schedule on each day (exam 8-10, class 11-3), then make a general to do list under it. I tend to make flash cards as each class goes along, so my to do list is usually a list of all the classes we had that day and I just hit them one by one. Then I write in errands or appointments at the bottom. I like the calendar app I have because I can color code, but that's just me. 🙂

I've changed the way I do things in small ways at least a dozen times in two years, so you really do just have to try something and see if it works for you.
 
If you use OneNote, would you mind posting a screen shot of how you organized your notes? Just trying to get a general idea. Right now, I have it set to do a notebook per class, but I remember some people saying in another thread that they liked to do it a section in one notebook per class each semester. I'm guessing for each individual section/class, I should include a "syllabus" and "calendar" section at the top. Any other ideas of important stuff to include for every class?

Thanks 🙂
 
NStarz said:
If you use OneNote, would you mind posting a screen shot of how you organized your notes? Just trying to get a general idea. Right now, I have it set to do a notebook per class, but I remember some people saying in another thread that they liked to do it a section in one notebook per class each semester. I'm guessing for each individual section/class, I should include a "syllabus" and "calendar" section at the top. Any other ideas of important stuff to include for every class?

Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...

👍

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile
 
Thank you!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using SDN Mobile
 
Cowgirla: can you give me more info on this 'drop box'?

Thanks!
 
Camelidcrazy said:
Cowgirla: can you give me more info on this 'drop box'?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Dropbox.com

http://db.tt/9UncyuAz (Referral link)

Basically, you upload files/folders to a website where they are stored. You can then access them online from any computer, download them, edit them, share links with friends (GREAT for sharing study guides and stuff easily, instead of sending 8000 individual emails). It also serves as a backup incase your computer crashes or whatever nightmare occurs.

To share anything, you just share the link to the folder. Example of sharing (and doggie cuteness) https://www.dropbox.com/s/5wnrtm66fpmc7ii/056.JPG
 
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I have several levels of organization:

1. Big picture - 4-month (aka one semester) whiteboard wall calendar with all the test and exam dates for that semester.

2. Rainlendar calendar+to do list on my laptop desktop - for weekly/monthly due dates

3. Cellphone calendar - for daily things

And then I have a folder on my laptop for each year of vet school, then within that folder I have subfolders for each course. Then the individual pdf/word/ppt files within that.
 
cowgirla said:
Dropbox.com

http://db.tt/9UncyuAz (Referral link)

Basically, you upload files/folders to a website where they are stored. You can then access them online from any computer, download them, edit them, share links with friends (GREAT for sharing study guides and stuff easily, instead of sending 8000 individual emails). It also serves as a backup incase your computer crashes or whatever nightmare occurs.

To share anything, you just share the link to the folder. Example of sharing (and doggie cuteness) https://www.dropbox.com/s/5wnrtm66fpmc7ii/056.JPG
Click to expand...

You're amazing!! If I were next to you, you would be hugging right now!
 
I'm another OneNote junkie. I hate hand-writing notes and I can't do them by hand fast enough and still keep them legible. Plus with OneNote, I can insert images, move text around to where I feel it's more relevant, etc.

I also use Google Calendar, but admittedly, I don't use it much. Mostly because I forget to check it. And if I set a reminder for it, it's generally something pretty important so I remember it anyway. I do keep it as a class/exam/assignment schedule though, so I can check on the fly at school.

I have a five week white-board calendar. At the end of every week, I erase everything and move it up so I'm always looking ahead five weeks. This lets me plan things a little better if I know one week is going to be killer, when I need to start studying for exam x and start assignment y. I love it. I would not be without it.
 
question, i am about to put the time and effort into scanning all of my 1st year paper notes into pdfs to put in one note (for easier reference, so that i dont have to have them/take them back to grenada, and for back up). am i completely insane? will these by any chance be searchable?
 
jmo1012 said:
question, i am about to put the time and effort into scanning all of my 1st year paper notes into pdfs to put in one note (for easier reference, so that i dont have to have them/take them back to grenada, and for back up). am i completely insane? will these by any chance be searchable?
Click to expand...

They should be searchable if your settings allow it.
 
jmo1012 said:
question, i am about to put the time and effort into scanning all of my 1st year paper notes into pdfs to put in one note (for easier reference, so that i dont have to have them/take them back to grenada, and for back up). am i completely insane? will these by any chance be searchable?
Click to expand...


A lot of office stores offer a "high volume scan to PDF" service or something like that, if you want to save time and dont mind spending a little money.

Honestly, I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've gone back to my first year notes. Most of what I went back to was Anatomy for a specific drawing or something like that, or Parasit because that class continued into second year. Generally its easier to just google whatever info I needed to remember from physiology and virology and other classes like that
 
jmo1012 said:
question, i am about to put the time and effort into scanning all of my 1st year paper notes into pdfs to put in one note (for easier reference, so that i dont have to have them/take them back to grenada, and for back up). am i completely insane? will these by any chance be searchable?
Click to expand...
I would do it. But I'm also insane. As far as searchable, depends on the program. We have Adobe Acrobat Pro 9 at work and it gives the option to "make searchable/OCR" when I scan.
 
cowgirla said:
A lot of office stores offer a "high volume scan to PDF" service or something like that, if you want to save time and dont mind spending a little money.
Click to expand...

I looked into that for this year, because I want to use OneNote and we get paper copies of notes. The prices I've seen at office stores vary from 25 cents to 45 cents PER PAGE. Which is freaking ridiculous IMO, because you're not using any ink/paper. I think I'm going to end up doing it myself, just because I can't find a better option on my budget.
 
NStarz said:
I looked into that for this year, because I want to use OneNote and we get paper copies of notes. The prices I've seen at office stores vary from 25 cents to 45 cents PER PAGE. Which is freaking ridiculous IMO, because you're not using any ink/paper. I think I'm going to end up doing it myself, just because I can't find a better option on my budget.
Click to expand...


Ouch! A friend did it years ago, and I think she paid about $20 for a hugeeee stack of papers. But, that was quite a while ago.

You should see if some of your classmates want to do the same thing, and split the cost! Or invest in a multipage scanner haha
 
Riaton said:
Does anyone have any tips for organizing for vet school? I am the type of person that has papers flying everywhere and no schedule or calendar to keep all meetings, tests, etc organized.
Click to expand...

I'm about to start 3rd year and, most of the time, I still have papers flying everywhere and a pathetic excuse for a schedule. I fumble through somehow. 😳

I do use a big dry erase month calendar above my desk to mark dates for exams so I know what's coming up to study for. I usually keep a separate binder for each class, or use dividers to keep notes separated. If there is an important due date coming up, I usually mark it on the dry erase calendar, or I use the Sticky Notes program on my laptop to make a quick reminder.
 
skittles12 said:
I'm about to start 3rd year and, most of the time, I still have papers flying everywhere and a pathetic excuse for a schedule. I fumble through somehow. 😳

I do use a big dry erase month calendar above my desk to mark dates for exams so I know what's coming up to study for. I usually keep a separate binder for each class, or use dividers to keep notes separated. If there is an important due date coming up, I usually mark it on the dry erase calendar, or I use the Sticky Notes program on my laptop to make a quick reminder.
Click to expand...

Same here, on all accounts. My aptitude for organization has always been terrible and did not improve in vet school, to say the least.
 
I've always been an on-paper planner sort. For each day, I put down everything I have scheduled - classes, meetings, parties, etc. For each class, I write down each assignment on the day it's given, then again on the day it's due with "DUE" next to it. So a line might look like: "Phys. QUIZ, essay DUE, disc. q's DUE, write short paper 2 Due Thur" after my Tuesday Physiology class/discussion. I write times and places in the margin to the left of the first time I write down a recurring thing, and dog-ear any page that has such an entry, and I put times and places in the line for a one-time or non-consistent thing.
I keep papers and notes organized by having color-coded notebooks and binders - e.g. blue for Biochem, red for Phys, black for statistics, etc. I also use expandable file-folders so that the pockets in my binders don't get stuffed. I clip a pen and a mechanical pencil inside each binder and file folder in case I need to make a quick note.

Also: You can get these whiteboard static-cling film sheets (I don't remember what they're called, sorry) that you can stick on the wall and peel off easily, and they act just like a whiteboard. They might be marketed as dry-erase film? Or something like that?
 
I have a good friend who is super organized and tells me if something is due and calls me on test mornings to wake me up and remind me where and when the test is.

No really.
 
For people with macs what would you use in lieu of One Note..... I just got a mac at the end of 1st year and before that I was just taking notes on my iPad by writing on slides and using regular notebooks.... not sure what my plan is for this year... but thought I might see what others use.....
 
I use GrowlyNotes and really like it.

When you said you wrote on slides on your iPad, did you mean type or actually hand wrote with one of those pens?
 
Yeah, I just downloaded growly notes the other day. Haven't had a chance to use it yet, but most people say it's the closest thing to OneNotes you can get on a Mac :shrug: It's free... can't hurt to try it.
 
PetPony said:
I use GrowlyNotes and really like it.

When you said you wrote on slides on your iPad, did you mean type or actually hand wrote with one of those pens?
Click to expand...


I will check out the GrowlyNotes....


I mostly types on them... I would import them in pdf form into a program on my ipad and then I could type notes on the slides, highlight them, draw arrows on them, really whatever I wanted.... but I am thinking with my new small mac it might be easier to use it.
 
devyn said:
I will check out the GrowlyNotes....


I mostly types on them... I would import them in pdf form into a program on my ipad and then I could type notes on the slides, highlight them, draw arrows on them, really whatever I wanted.... but I am thinking with my new small mac it might be easier to use it.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm an idiot, but I couldn't figure out how to do things like that on Growly Notes. I decided to download it on my sister's Mac cause I wanted to make the switch but wasn't fully satisfied with all the options. Like, I could only highlight text, not parts of an image like you can in OneNote, which a current vet student showed me her slides for neuroanatomy and that feature seemed like it would be super helpful. I might have also been having a hard time since I'm not super familiar with Macs. In the end I didn't make the switch to Mac. =(
 
washbucket said:
I've always been an on-paper planner sort. For each day, I put down everything I have scheduled - classes, meetings, parties, etc. For each class, I write down each assignment on the day it's given, then again on the day it's due with "DUE" next to it. So a line might look like: "Phys. QUIZ, essay DUE, disc. q's DUE, write short paper 2 Due Thur" after my Tuesday Physiology class/discussion. I write times and places in the margin to the left of the first time I write down a recurring thing, and dog-ear any page that has such an entry, and I put times and places in the line for a one-time or non-consistent thing.
I keep papers and notes organized by having color-coded notebooks and binders - e.g. blue for Biochem, red for Phys, black for statistics, etc. I also use expandable file-folders so that the pockets in my binders don't get stuffed. I clip a pen and a mechanical pencil inside each binder and file folder in case I need to make a quick note.

Also: You can get these whiteboard static-cling film sheets (I don't remember what they're called, sorry) that you can stick on the wall and peel off easily, and they act just like a whiteboard. They might be marketed as dry-erase film? Or something like that?
Click to expand...

You people amaze and enthrall me. The day I keep up a colour coordination system will be an amazing moment... I tend to know when things are due (generally) and I do get crap done, but it's not in a particularly organized manner.
 
Trilt said:
You people amaze and enthrall me. The day I keep up a colour coordination system will be an amazing moment... I tend to know when things are due (generally) and I do get crap done, but it's not in a particularly organized manner.
Click to expand...

It's not so hard to be color-coordinated. I just buy different color notebooks and folders each semester and say "ok, this is the color for this class" and so on, and then just make sure to take notes and put papers in the right notebook/folder. I like having the folder and notebook for each class be the same color.
 
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