Nursing Wise | Student Nursing Blog

Nursing school is known for its rigorous schedule and high demands, making it crucial to stay organized and find ways to balance both work and rest. Fortunately, with the right planning tools and a bit of help from technology, you can keep everything on track and avoid burnout. This post will dive into how planning tools, an iPad, and apps like Speechify and AI Notebook can help you stay on top of your workload, while also reminding you to schedule time for much-needed recovery from long study sessions.

Using Planning Tools in Nursing School

Nursing school is packed with lectures, clinicals, exams, assignments, and more. It can feel overwhelming at times, which is why using planning tools is a game-changer. Whether you’re a paper planner person or a digital devotee, having a system in place to track your tasks will save you from stress and help you stay focused.

a. The Benefits of a Detailed Planner

At the start of each semester, take time to map out your schedule using a detailed planner. Note the dates of major exams, assignment deadlines, and clinical rotations. This gives you a big-picture view of what’s coming up so that nothing sneaks up on you.

Weekly planning is just as important. Every Sunday, for example, you can look ahead at the week and break down what needs to be done each day. Assign specific times for studying, completing assignments, attending classes, and, just as importantly, breaks for rest and self-care.

b. Digital Planners for Flexibility

If carrying around a bulky planner doesn’t suit your style, digital tools like Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar, or apps like To do list offer a more flexible, lightweight solution. The ability to set reminders, color-code tasks by priority, and adjust plans as needed ensures you won’t miss important deadlines. Plus, digital planners sync across devices, so whether you’re on your phone or laptop, your schedule is always at your fingertips.

Using Your iPad to Stay Organized

The iPad has become a popular tool for nursing students thanks to its versatility and portability. With the right apps, it can help you organize your notes, track assignments, and even streamline your clinical experiences.

a. Good Notes or Notability for Taking Notes

Note-taking is a huge part of nursing school, and apps like Good Notes or Notability (what I use) are ideal for keeping everything organized in one place. With these apps, you can take handwritten or typed notes, create diagrams, and organize them into subject-specific folders. Plus, the search functionality allows you to easily find key information when studying for an exam. Both apps also allow for annotating lecture slides and other PDFs, making it easier to stay engaged during classes.

b. Calendar Apps for Scheduling

While the built-in calendar app on the iPad is excellent for scheduling classes, exams, and clinical rotations, you can also use apps like Time Tree, which are specifically designed for students juggling multiple commitments. Time Tree offers shared calendars, so you can collaborate with study groups or see your clinical schedule alongside your class commitments.

c. Task Management Apps for Staying on Top of Assignments

In addition to scheduling, task management apps like Things 3 or To-do list help track assignments, readings, and tasks. These apps let you create to-do lists for each course, organize by priority, and set reminders for upcoming deadlines. With everything in one app, you avoid the stress of scrambling to find out what’s due when.

Using Apps Like Speechify and AI Notebook to Help During Nursing School

Leveraging technology for studying is one of the smartest moves you can make as a nursing student. Two apps that can greatly assist you are Speechify and AI Notebook, both of which make studying more efficient and less overwhelming.

a. Speechify for Audio Learning

Speechify is an app that converts written text into speech, allowing you to listen to your textbooks, notes, or articles while multitasking. This can be a lifesaver when you’re pressed for time—imagine reviewing your pharmacology notes while commuting or folding laundry. Speechify offers different voices and speeds, so you can customize the listening experience to suit your learning pace.

Listening to your study materials can also reinforce what you’ve already learned. Sometimes hearing the information a second time helps it stick in ways that just reading alone doesn’t.

b. AI Notebook for Summarizing and Organizing Information

AI Notebook is a digital tool that helps you organize and summarize large amounts of information, which can be incredibly useful when you’re juggling several different subjects. The app uses AI to help break down complex topics into more manageable, summarized sections. You can even use AI Notebook to help generate study questions or flashcards, making review sessions easier and more targeted.

By inputting your lecture notes or textbook content, AI Notebook can help you create customized study guides, so you spend less time organizing your materials and more time focusing on understanding the content.

Allowing Time to Recuperate from Studying Hard

One of the most overlooked aspects of nursing school is recovery time. It’s tempting to think that the more you study, the better you’ll do, but overworking yourself can have the opposite effect. Without proper rest, your brain can’t effectively retain information, and your energy levels will eventually plummet.

a. Scheduling Breaks into Your Study Sessions

The Pomodoro Technique is a popular time-management method that involves working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. This approach can help maintain focus while also allowing time for short mental breaks. After four “pomodoros” (or 100 minutes of studying), take a longer 15–30-minute break. These structured breaks prevent burnout and give your brain time to absorb information.

b. Incorporating Exercise and Fresh Air

Sitting for long hours hunched over textbooks can leave you feeling drained and stiff. Incorporating short walks, stretching, or even yoga into your day can help reset your mind and body. Exercise stimulates blood flow to your brain, helping you think clearer and retain more information.

c. Sleep is Non-Negotiable

When deadlines loom and exams approach, it’s tempting to pull an all-nighter to cram in more study time. However, sleep is essential for memory consolidation. Make sure you’re getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, especially before exams, to give your brain the chance to absorb all the material you’ve studied.

d. Engage in Non-Academic Hobbies

It’s important to disconnect from the grind now and then. Engaging in hobbies, whether it’s reading for pleasure, playing a musical instrument, or catching up with friends, can provide a mental reset. This downtime is critical for maintaining a healthy school-life balance and ensuring you come back to your studies feeling refreshed.

Final Thoughts

Nursing school requires a lot of organization, focus, and resilience. But with the right planning tools, a well-used iPad, helpful apps like Speechify and AI Notebook, and making time for recovery, you can set yourself up for success. Staying organized and managing your time efficiently is key to handling the workload, while technology helps streamline your studies.

At the same time, don’t forget that recovery is just as important as studying. Allow yourself the time to rest and recharge so that you can come back with the focus and energy needed to continue thriving in nursing school. It’s all about finding that balance—using your resources and technology smartly while also taking care of yourself.

By approaching nursing school with these strategies in place, you’ll not only manage your workload better, but you’ll also enjoy the journey without feeling overwhelmed.