Notetaking

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Dattebayo

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Hi SDN,
I was wondering if there are any of you guys who struggle with reviewing their written notes (from lectures, books, etc). I feel that writing helps me remember concepts, but I never look back at my old notes haha.
The problem with my method of studying is that it's a bit time consuming and I was wondering if there was any students out there like me and had any tips on how to study more efficiently/overcoming this.
Should I just bite the bullet and just try reviewing my notes? hahah
Thanks guys.
 
I like to write/draw concepts on a piece of scrap paper as I'm studying. You should definitely review your old notes though. How do you get by without looking over old material?
 
I tend to just rewrite it over again...hahaha but that's why I feel it takes up too much time...
 
Takings notes from your notes also helps. Get the important overview concepts down as well as see other concepts that I easily forget.
 
but I think I'll just try start reviewing my notes and do something different.
Thanks for your response too!
 
Oh I see what you mean now. I think rewriting notes it the best way to waste time. I know it helps people reinforce what they're learning, but there are more efficient ways to do that. Just re-read your notes and maybe re-write only the key points. Again, drawing pictures for me helps. Looking at pictures in the textbook helps too. Flashcards for vocal works well for me, then I might check out the textbook for some context.

Just DON'T rewrite your notes. Huge waste of time.
 
what works for me is going into class and NOT taking notes, just listening while recording the lecture on my phone. Then when I relisten to the lecture after class, I can take notes at my own pace.
 
I like to write/draw concepts on a piece of scrap paper as I'm studying. You should definitely review your old notes though. How do you get by without looking over old material?

My bio professor swear by "blank sheet method". It's really one of the best ways to study because if you can't pull it from your brain you know you need to do a little more review. If you can draw out the entire Krebs cycle on the paper, you know you're set. I feel like the blank sheet idea is best for diagrams. I prefer making up a quiz whilst reviewing my notes (and marking down where the answer is) because it's more directed whereas blank sheet may be all over the place if you're just randomly quizzing. Also, I type my notes on my Macbook Pro into Pages. But I always have a little notebook with me to write down diagrams and equations I can't type in. If you swear by handwritten notes you could type them up after class. Probably a little less time consuming than handwriting them a second time. But since they'll be prettier than handwritten notes you may read them more. (Even though I'm female, I still have that "doctor's handwriting" I assure you...)
 
I'm glad someone agrees with my method! Most of the professors at my school give out powerpoints for their lectures. I feel spoiled.
 
I'm glad someone agrees with my method! Most of the professors at my school give out powerpoints for their lectures. I feel spoiled.

Lucky! I wish my professors did that! Haha.
 
In terms of note review I use two different techniques that seem to be rather successful. The first is using the Cornell method of notetaking in class to stay organized (Google this and you'll find the format and PDF printouts). After class I review the notes and highlight/correct/fill in info I might have missed in the main lecture. Before exams I then take my notes for the sections to be tested and condense them into "review sheets". These sheets have a main header for the topic, and the facts listed out in an easy to use fashion. I used this tactic for all of my classes the past term and aced each class doing so. The key is daily practice and review. Reviewing a terms worth of notes in one-two days won't do much good for you.

Wish you the best!
 
I find notes are helpful if I am actively taking them. If I listen to the lecture and decide what I need to write down and how to write it concisely, it helps me learn. If I kind of zone out though and just write down everything the prof writes/says, I look back later and am like "wtf is this?"
 
I find notes are helpful if I am actively taking them. If I listen to the lecture and decide what I need to write down and how to write it concisely, it helps me learn. If I kind of zone out though and just write down everything the prof writes/says, I look back later and am like "wtf is this?"

This. When it comes to note-taking, like anything else, work smarter, not necessarily harder. Sometimes that means it's better to just stop and listen.
 
Usually what I will do for a test is grab the textbook and create an outline of the chapters to be covered on the test..it's time consuming so may take a few days even. It reinforces the material sooo much and by the time I'm done with all the notes I just read them and I basically know it all already, it's just review. I also read over notes from class as sometimes class/book bring different material.
 
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