Using Booklifts in Medical School

[MissAmerica]

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Hey all,

Does anyone use a booklift to hold up the notes while studying? Do you notice a different level of comprehension or retention when using it ? Or, do you find it easier to read the notes flat out on desk?

Yours truly,


Miss America

 

[Bertelman]

I heard somewhere that the degree of neck flexion sustained while receiving ocular stimulation for the purpose of knowledge retention does indeed raise comprehension. I think it was on The View.

I don't really understand that nonsense, but I do know that I immediately bought a bookstand. My Step 2 score was 17 points higher than Step 1. Coincidence? I think not!

 

[chocolate-e]

Further corroboration: when I rotate my laptop screen horizontally (as a tablet) and read from that, even simple emails become incomprehensible.

In all seriousness: I usually read with my books flat because I find it easier to highlight. If you're trying to decide whether or not to buy a booklift, perhaps you could try propping your book up with something and see whether you like to study that way?

 

[Dookter]

I have been in school for, let's see, like 18 years or so, and I have no idea what you guys are talking about.

 

[crazy_cavalier]

You never heard of a book lift / book stand?

Here are some sample pics of a very innovative book-lift design:

http://www.c-worksinc.com/

It's a book-stand AND a clipboard. Genius. My school sells them for like $21 and I thought that was too expensive so I never bought one. Shopping around on froogle.com has me second-guessing this assumption. I very well may just get one, who knows. It at least LOOKS like it could be useful...

 

[MissAmerica]

Thank you so much for your replies!

What I could do is, first, highlight on the table, and then use the booklift. I reallllly like my booklift. First, it was annoying, but then i got used to it and it just seems like the information flows right to my head like in a straight line from the paper. Isn't it neat ?

I am so glad to hear about that tip on comprehension-- i love when it people think like me!



Yours,

Miss America

 

[MissAmerica]

Hey -- did you really hear about that on "The View"? Can you try to remember where you heard about it ? What could I look up in google to further investigate this?

Yours, Miss A

I heard somewhere that the degree of neck flexion sustained while receiving ocular stimulation for the purpose of knowledge retention does indeed raise comprehension. I think it was on The View.

I don't really understand that nonsense, but I do know that I immediately bought a bookstand. My Step 2 score was 17 points higher than Step 1. Coincidence? I think not!

 

[Dr. McDreamy]

it's not very sexy, is it?

 

[DragonWell]

Sexy, it is not, but I can attest to the power of the book lift, or "book stand" as we yanks like to call them. Things to look for upon use: a gradual decline and disappearance of the burning pain in your neck and between your scaps, a dramatic increase in reading speed and comprehension (not really, but oh well)

I actually use one all the time, and really miss it when I don't have it. My computer (tablet) sits on my bookstand, and I often use it like this. 23.99 seems a bit steep unless your getting some serious bells and whistles. I got the $10 model from office depot (Fellowes?, I believe) and it will take the full weight of Papa Robbins with no problem.

I'd recommend trying one out.

 

[Ombatay]

So I also would like to whole-heartedly recommend the bookstand. I bought one about 2 months ago and its the best 23 dollars I ever spent. Admittedly, it was very annoying when trying to highlight, but I've adapted (although there's still a substantial amount of highlights where I "drag" the marker through the line below it...)
It does significantly help with neck strain, although comprehension I'm not so sure about. The lack of discomfort in my neck, however, leads to less breaks and less distraction, which in turn leads to the ability to focus better. So maybe that's what they meant on The View... Also useful if you spend time in the kitchen and work with cookbooks or what-have-you. Just saying I've found uses for mine other than just for when I'm reading =)

 

[daeojkim]

I don't know if helps you retain information better, but it definitely is more convenient, especially if you are studying anatomy. I used two atlases at the same time (Rohen and Grants) in front of me within easy reach.

I got mine from Staples for $10 each. Very lightweight and thin, so it can be easily carried in the back pack.