Sticking with a nursing program requires a high level of dedication to studying the material and reviewing it frequently. And being able to take good notes is foundational to becoming a good learner. Not only does taking good notes help you pass exams, but good note-taking skills are also essential to finding life-long success as a nurse.
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Taking good notes while taking attending an online nursing program is especially important for your success. But, you may not know where to start. After all, with so much information online and during lectures, you may not even be sure what is note-taking worthy and what's not.
One thing's for sure; good note-taking isn't just copying a lecture down on paper and hoping you remember enough for your latest exam. Instead, a good note-taker knows what information is critical to retain and pull from it when needed.
Want to master note-taking? Achieve Test Prep has a few recommendations for note-taking strategies to develop better skills to apply in our prep courses and your nursing program.
10 Tips for Optimal Note-Taking
- Designate a specific notebook for your notes on each subject. No matter where you decide to keep your notes, make sure that each subject is separated. For example, your Microbiology notes shouldn't be in the same place as your A&P notes. Keeping your notes separate will keep you from getting confused.
- Keep it simple. Use a simple note-taking system, like the one developed by Cornell University.
- Choose written instead of typed notes. Studies have shown that people who take notes on laptops fare worse on conceptual exam questions than those who take notes by hand. That is because people who take notes by hand tend to rephrase and summarize information to keep up with the lecture. Doing this helps them understand and retain information better.
- Review the course material beforehand. Before your course, take time the night before to review the material that will be covered the next day. Take note of headers, bolded or italicized information, and vocabulary. Previewing the course the night before will give you a headstart when you're attending the lecture.
- Jot down any questions you have as you're reading. As you're going over the material, you may find you have questions on certain topics. Note any questions you may have, and be sure to share them with your instructor the next day.
- Prioritize new information. During the lecture, don't try to jot down every detail. Part of being a good note-taker is knowing what NOT to write. You should prioritize the information worth writing down. Make a note of any information presented during the lecture that you can't get from your book or other outside resources. Examples your instructor goes over, stories, and answers to questions are often not found in the presentation. It's more important to make a note of these things instead of a definition you can look up in your book later. It's also helpful if you ask if the presentation will be made available after the course. That way, you can pick up anything you may have missed during the lecture.
- Have a study buddy or study group. Connect with your peers in the course and see if you can review your notes together. Sometimes you may have missed something during the lecture that they took note of and vice versa.
- Review your notes right away. Don't wait to go over your notes, instead review any notes from the lecture within 24 hours. Reviewing your notes right away will help you retain the information.
- Revise your notes with 24 hours. The notes you quickly jotted down during the lesson are not going to be the most cohesive. Right after the lecture, revise your notes, so they are easy to understand later.
- Review your notes daily. Have a daily review of your notes. Your knowledge of the subject will grow with each review, and it will keep you from cramming the night of the test.
Getting the handle of good note-taking may take some time to get used to, but one crucial thing to remember is that note-taking is a skill. What may work in one case for one person may not work for the next. It's a good idea to experiment and find a strategy that is right for you. And with the tips we shared above, you'll be one step closer to doing just that.
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