College Essentials Notes

College Essentials from a Recent Graduate

Note-Taking Alternatives to iPad Pro

• Wacom Tablet: A cheaper alternative to an iPad Pro for taking digital notes.
  • Cost: Around $50.
  • Functionality: Allows you to draw, write, and take digital notes.
  • Benefit: Saves money compared to expensive iPads (which can cost around $600).

Textbook Savings

• Anna's Archive: A resource to find textbooks online for free.
  • Check Anna's Archive first before buying textbooks from the university bookstore.
  • If the book isn't available on Anna's Archive, then purchase it from the bookstore.

Digital Agenda

• Notion: A digital alternative to physical agendas.
  • Functionality:
    • Calendar integration.
    • Grade calculation.
    • Note storage.
  • Templates: Search YouTube for Notion templates.

Effective Study Tools

• Quizlet Pro: Useful for studying, especially for subjects like anatomy (includes diagrams).
• Anki: Recommended for biology and chemistry majors.
• Scrittle: For mind mapping.

Mind Mapping for Enhanced Understanding

• Mind Mapping tools (like Skrintle): A method for studying topics effectively.
  • Benefit: Improved test scores (A's and B's in microbiology).

Communication and Collaboration

• GroupMe: A platform for class communication.
  • Functionality:
    • Discussing assignments.
    • Asking questions.
    • Forming study groups.
  • Advantages:
    • No need to exchange phone numbers; just add the person to the group.
    • Builds community and facilitates studying with others.
  • Action Item: Take the initiative to create a GroupMe for each class.