~Take Notes Like A Pro~

Hello Fellow Students!
I'm back, with another post to help you out on your school journey in the fast approaching New Year! Today's topic: Note taking! This is a long one so bear with me. Now, I know the first thing that may come to mind for some of you are the incredibly aesthetic and extremely organised notes you would see of studyblrs and studygrams.

Like this for example

However, don't fret if you fall short on the level of artistry needed to replicate these notes. Honestly, it isn't necessary to have such formalities on your notes to learn.

Why Is Effective Note Taking Important?

Better notes will help you remember concepts, develop meaningful learning skills, and gain a better understanding of a topic. Effective notes will even lead to less stress when test time comes around!(“How To Take Study Notes: 5 Effective Note Taking Methods”). The purpose of note taking essentially is to allow the student (you) to focus and better understand main concepts as well as improve your active listening, comprehension of material as well as aid your retention. Efficient and concise notes can save you time, energy, and confusion that often results from trying to make sense of disorganized, overwhelming, insufficient, or wordy notes. Good notes can provide a great resource for creating outlines and studying.

Types Of Notes

Yes indeed, there are different types of note taking, much like there are different learning styles, each tailored to certain individuals. They are as follows:

• The Cornell Method
• The Outline Method
• The Charting/Mapping Method
• The Sentence Method
• The Bullet Journaling Method

The Cornell Method

This method helps separate notes into a simple, easily understandable summary. It consists of The in class notes, additional information that could have been said on the side or questions you hd during the class to as your teacher as well as a final summary.

Diagram of Cornell Method

The Outline Method

These are the notes we are originally taught/ familiar with when it comes to note taking. It consists of using headings and bullet points to organise topics.

Diagram of Outline Method

The Charting/Mapping Method

This method is akin to 'mind mapping', the technique used when brainstorming essays or ideas. It can be used to write notes in such a way that one starts from the main topic and expand to the suptopics and main points.

Diagram of Mapping Method

 The Sentence Method

The Sentence note taking method is simply writing down each topic as a jot note sentence. This method works well for fast paced lessons where a lot of information is being covered. Advantages of this method include: jotting main points helps you determine which information is important and which is not, you are able to cover a lot of details and information quickly, notes are simplified for study and review.

Diagram of Sentence Method

Bullet Journal Method

Now this method is the popular method you see online. If you're really into aesthetics, doodling, or just a visual learner in general, this is the method for you. It allows you to annotate your notes with drawings, doodles, diagrams, anything really! It really brings out your creativity and allows the use of multiple headers, boarders, colours, highlighters, stickers and much more. This is personally my favourite type of note taking because, the prettier my notes are, the more I want to look at them!

Example of Bullet Journaling

Now if this seems slightly overwhelming because you're wondering "where do I fit?" don't stress! Your current ways of taking notes is completely satisfactory if it's are working for you. If you want to change your style of note taking, that's perfectly okay too! Remember the purpose of note taking is to help you with retaining the information you were given for further comprehension and use.

Tips for Actual Note Taking

• Be able to discern main points from extra information- My french teacher would be teaching a lesson about something and would then spring some completely by the way information that would both confuse and frustrate me and note taking. Eventually I learnt to cope with the issue. Always find a way to separate the main lesson from the 'by the way' things (be sure to keep the by the way information though! It's still important!)

• Read Read Read- Read up on the topic you're approaching in the subject you're writing notes for. Though you may not exactly want to read ahead ( I, for one have a strong aversion to textbooks) for some subjects, specifically heavy reading subjects like History or POB, reading is extremely important. It also allows you to make 'pre-notes', that way you have a foundation on which you can build on with the additional information your teacher gives to you.

• Pack All the Things You Think You Will Need- The last person you want to be is the one that never has any of their school supplies. Make sure you walk with everything that is conducive for learning with you. You can't have good notes if you have nothing to write with :/.

• Revise Notes- While you're taking notes in class you may write something in a way that can be revised later on, whether it be fixing spelling errors or adding definitions for terms you did not know the meanings of, reading notes over is incredibly beneficial. It also aids for study as well. When revising notes or simply doing a read over at the end of the day, it can allow the mind to memorise certain areas that were taught, helping you in future study.

• Sit where you can pay attention- The back of the classroom may seem very appealing especially if you don't want to be called on. However, when it comes to paying attention in class, the back is not an ideal place for taking notes or learning in general. In the front, the teacher will most likely be there and engaged with the students right in front of them allowing those students to get the most out of the class. When at the back, there will most likely be a lot more distractions (people around you slacking off and talking, you hearing less information and daydreaming, just to name a few). When comparing both options, it is easy to see which is more beneficial. Though you may not want to, your future self will be grateful.

There you have it! Some tips to help you effectively take notes to aid your studying experience. If you read until the end, congratulations and thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed and find some of these tips helpful enough to implement into your daily lives. Please give me any feedback through comments and be sure to follow to see more content like this.

Happy Note Taking!

Christin