athomas23 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I will be starting PA school this summer and I was wondering how you all prefer to take notes? I may invest in a better laptop if that is the best way to take notes. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHU-CH Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 In part, it probably depends heavily on your typing skills and whatever has worked for you in the past. Personally, I always liked pen and paper. I can jot notes, make charts, sketch anatomy and processes, do some concept mapping, etc which I would not be able to easily do on computer (although a tablet might work). I can't quote a source, but I have also heard it said in education circles that there is a benefit to writing notes by hand over typing. The mechanics of writing stimulates your brain a little more intensely than punching keys. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted January 25, 2014 Moderator Share Posted January 25, 2014 pen/paper without a doubt for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbingle Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Pen paper, they usually give you printed slide lectures and its easy to make one word comments/ notes for important ideas next to material already printed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreatChecko Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 In the end it depends on what you prefer (and what generation you are in) but if your program doesn't print the presentations for you, I highly suggest a good, lightweight laptop, preferably with a touchscreen. I would probably have a few thousand pages of slides printed by this point, and I'm only half way through the first year. There is definitely an advantage to writing, but I'd suggest just using a notebook if that's what you want. I use those when I take notes from my reading or jot down things I want to make sure I remember for an exam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinntsp Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I vote for not taking notes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannydude57 Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I do a hybrid, but mostly I keep things electronic. My institution's library is electronic, so everything I need for my didactic year is accessible on my laptop (and many cases my tablet.) I'll use pen and paper to draw diagrams on the fly, but end up scanning them or electronically drawing them later. Sometimes, my faculty scans handouts and makes those available. The greatest advantage I have with this set-up is that I have access to all my notes and resources in a mobile, 20 lb package. This is convenient when I have to reference something from a previous class, which happens often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I vote for not taking notes! Why? How can one retain all the info in L-T memory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator EMEDPA Posted January 25, 2014 Moderator Share Posted January 25, 2014 Why? How can one retain all the info in L-T memory? some people record lectures and just soak them in the first time then take notes from them later as a study tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AREID Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 Be careful with note taking. There's so much info people often miss things because they are busy writing/typing. If your school records the lecture, I would suggest not doing anything and just focusing your attention on the lecture and asking as many questions as needed. Then you can revisit the lecture later Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BARONEUS Posted January 25, 2014 Share Posted January 25, 2014 I would think about what note-taking system would allow you to condense your notes most efficiently. Whether it's a concept map, concept map software(iBlueSky, Total Recall, SimpleMind), a 6-point outline (1.Basics;2. Patho/Etiology;3. Presentation/PE;4. Diagnostics;5. Tx; 6. Prevention), charts, note cards or a mix of each, these will all come in handy during finals week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patachok Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 My program does not allow laptops or any other electronics for that matter during class. So, it is pen and paper for us! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derbingle Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 For me, I felt that there was so much material, i could not imagine trying to listen to all the lectures a SECOND time on tape/device. The power point presentations gave us key information and our own notes were a way to make a key word or anything really, that connected your memory to the material. Then putting it electronic format was great for material reveiw, typed all the notes into short sentences as a method for studying the lecture. Then easy reference. Just about one time over each lecture took all the time there was. Lecture from 8-4 or up to 6 pm sometimes. Rarely had more than 4-5 days between lectures before testing. Sometimes 1 week for very long sessions. Never reveiwed in class, questions limited for lectures. Combo is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will352ns Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 I try not to write that much. I take the Power Points (just about every program teaches with PPT) and type notes at the bottom during lecture. When I am home, I cross reference the material with my reference books and make notes on the main points. For CMS I use Harrison's and Ferri's Clinical Adviser (quick reference). For other courses I just go with the recommended text. From talking with a couple of friends of mine who are in other schools and my own observations, I was surprised about how few people actually look at the references. While PPT has made it pretty easy to sum up topics and present, it does not replace the act of looking something up an reading about it. There is a definite difference in the level of understanding in the folks who just use the PPT's and those who look it up. The PPT's will help you pass the test but your references will help you understand. Of my soapbox. A decent laptop (I have a cheap one that works just fine) should be all you need. Pen and paper only if you prefer, otherwise type your notes at the bottom the PPT. Read the REFERENCES! Congrats and good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jorge Posted January 26, 2014 Share Posted January 26, 2014 In class I only used my laptop, but studying at home I did a lot of pen & paper note taking as I went through the power point slides. Quizlet flashcards on my iphone before a test were also very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AREID Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 This is a question that has no right answer. Everyone learns differently, so you'll get different answers. Personally I never took notes; I just don't learn that way. I listened, asked questions and read a lot. Try something, if it works keep it. If it doesn't toss it and try something else. Goodluck! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t2091 Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I was always a writing man during undergrad but that soon changed when I started PA school due to the large amounts of information and just not being able to keep up with writing it all. I switched over to typing notes at the bottom of the PPT and then of course reading the books and highlighting information and transferring that into PPT notes so I had it all in one place. Seems to be working so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balsam88 Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I prefer paper and pen, when I write things they stick better. But lately our program stopped printing stuff for us to save on paper, and I don't have a printer at home and I don't want to pay to print on campus so I'm slowly switching to typing things up. So far it hasn't made a difference for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Would it be possible for the ones who have responded so far mention what school they are currently going to OR went to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoRyou Posted January 29, 2014 Share Posted January 29, 2014 double post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jene Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 i currently attend stony brook. all of our lectures are ppt format, and they are uploaded for us before each lecture. i am in my 30's so my undergrad was purely pen and paper 15 years ago. for me, transitioning to electronic note taking was a little hard at first, but i can't possibly imagine doing it any other way. the volume of material covered each day would give me writers cramp within the first hour if i were writing. i take notes directly on the ppts and then when i go home and study, i find it helpful to do flashcards, or write out a few things in outline format or whatever helps me learn. i don't have the time to listen to lectures again, so paying attention in class and taking good notes is key. in my opinion, i would miss a lot of what is being presented if i had to write notes down. i sometimes struggle to keep up while typing during some lectures! however, do what works best for you. some of my classmates furiously type outlines during the lectures, and it works for them. i find it beneficial for me to sit and listen and only take notes when i feel it's important or need to look up something later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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