Tips For Better Notes
When you’re in class and taking notes, sometimes when writing everything seems super important, and when you’re trying to write down everything your professor says, they move on way too fast, and you feel like you’re falling behind. It happens to all of us, I know it has happened to me more times than I can count but there are different ways to help get around this, so you are able to keep focusing and stay on topic in class and when you’re studying outside of class.
Key Points and Facts
When taking your notes, you don’t need to write everything down, you write down what you feel like is the most important to you and what you’ll be able to retain when going back over your notes. Sometimes when you’re writing, it doesn’t have to be the whole sentence and can just be a part of what you’re trying to remember. When you do that, you’re able to look back at your notes, see that small snippet of information and go, “Oh right, that goes to this information that we talked about.” Small stuff like that can help jog your memory with all that you learned in class.
Categorize
When you are writing your notes, sometimes going back after you’re done writing and
putting everything into sections and subsections can help keep everything that share
similar topics. When you do that, you’re able to quickly skim over things and keep
things running fast and you’re not just stopping and spending thirty minutes trying
to just find a specific part of your notes.
Writing VS Typing
When you’re taking notes, studies have shown that you retain information better when you write out your notes on paper, and if you are able to write fast enough that is a great way to take your notes. If you’re not the fastest writer there is, typing out your information first then going back after typing out all the notes, go back and write them all out afterwards. Not only are you just writing them out, but you’re also going over the notes again and that helps engrave it into your mind.
Different Methods
There are so many different named methods about how you can do your notes, some examples of different methods are like Mind Maps, Flow Notes, and doing outlines. Mind Maps is a great method to use especially when writing on paper because you’re able to write down the big topic, but you’re able to draw lines to different topics. It’s just a giant tree of information, and it’s great.
Engage
If you’re wanting to make sure you understand what you’re learning about, not everything has to be written down, but making sure you’re engaging with your class discussion. When you’re engaged with the conversation, you’re able to make your brain think and makes you contribute something to the conversation that’s going on. You don’t always have to engage, but it helps a lot.
Visuals
When writing your notes, if you have a hard time memorizing your notes, sometimes drawing something that is related to what you’re learning about is a great way to aid your memory and recall information from just a simple drawing. Plus, drawing helps keep your attention.
Organize
When you take your notes, always try your hardest to keep your notes in a clean spot where you can place it, and the notes won’t get destroyed, but also having your notes in a spot that you check regularly. When you do that, you’re more likely to go back into your notes to go over everything and make sure you understand them.
