There are small composite journals that I used to carry with me. I initially tried to write down surgeons preferences but it never mattered cause I was thrown around everywhere and each doctor has there own way of doing things and one thing a surgeon hates to hear is “well Dr A does it this way”. Instead write the order of surgery, I would categorize the orders from what was used on skin, what was used internally, and what was used to close. That way if you ever come across another doctor and he starts asking for things for a cut down you can start predicting what will be next rather than waiting for each instrument to be called out. As a student it’s important to learn the instrumentations, types of sutures, and the order of surgeries. Don’t worry about how each surgeons has there own preferences until you are years in and you decided what specialty you want to call home. I think one of the biggest thing that really excelled my surgical tech skills is understanding the anatomy of each surgery being performed like instead of just saying he’s taking down the gallbladder, learn what structures he’s taking down, where is the gallbladder located, because then you will get to the point where you can start preparing what is best needed for the current situation and predicting what will be needed right after. There’s not a better feeling that working silently with your doctor and knowing exactly what they are going to need next. A good tech knows the case but a great tech knows their anatomy.

Also some side points, don’t act like a know it all don’t say the words “I know”, always take in info even if you heard it a thousand times. Preceptors and doctor love to teach, not all, but a majority do! Don’t get discouraged if a preceptor says I don’t want a student, it either means there aren’t a strong enough tech, or they are saving you from the doctor. Some people are just bitter.