Study Notes - 9 Steps to a Much better Way

So frequently note taking by students entails highlighting or underlining huge chunks of their text, or transcribing definitions, text and diagrams to such an extent that they virtually rewrite the book they are studying! Are you guilty of this? Don't be concerned, you are not alone, particularly if no one has ever showed you a better way.

This typical, but mistaken way of taking notes, generally stems from an anxiousness about leaving something out, or a need to be writing to really feel like you are operating and learning. Sadly, this is not the way to learn, and can even be a subtle type of procrastination.

If you haven't already then, attempt this simple technique for note taking from a text book:

-   Draw a wide margin down the side of your web page -   Read your selected quantity of material (see below for more on effective reading) -   Brainstorm to try and recall the main points from what you have read. Write key phrases and phrases on the correct hand side of the web page. No sentences or diagrams. Leave a lot of space between each line. -   You will be aware of sections you can't keep in mind at all. Don't be concerned, this will make you much more receptive to absorb this information when you reread. -   Verify via the text once more, noting points you missed. -   Brainstorm once more. See if you can fill in the gaps. -   Tidy up the notes then. Number the primary points - it's easier to keep in mind numbered lists. Add in any points that are nonetheless absent. Don't get carried away with polishing up your notes although - beware of procrastination. You need to learn quick and move on to the next task. -   Create any page references for definitions or diagrams alongside the key phrases in the margin. Don't copy diagrams for instance - you can practice them later and refer to them utilizing the page reference any time you require to. -   Rapidly review your keywords, and see if every one sparks off the points you wanted to keep in mind. If it doesn't, perhaps add an additional keyword for clarification.

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Now you have a web page of good notes to function from. Test your self to see how many keywords you can keep in mind on a separate web page and circle any you couldn't recall so that you will pay more attention to them throughout future revision sessions. You will require to revise these inside a day, or you will neglect what you discovered, and then again inside a week, a fortnight, and then a month. But when you revise, it ought to only take five minutes, so it ought to be simple to incorporate this revision into your study sessions.