Effective Tips To Make Study Notes

Learning the art of effective note-making in the class is one of the best ways to remember what you’ve learnt and be less stressed during tests. Taking notes is a skill that can be mastered with little practice. It has nothing to do with your handwriting but depends on how well structured your notes are.

Let’s take a look at some tips to take notes like a pro:

• Know Your Learning Style: Before embarking on the note-taking process, know what your learning style is. This will help you work in the right direction towards making your notes effective for better retention. There are four main learning styles namely visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic. Figure out which style suits you best and pursue your note-making accordingly.
• Be Prepared: The key to effective note-taking is to keep all your supplies handy and ready. These could be things like paper, highlighters, writing pens, etc. Another important part of preparation is to review your previous notes before starting off with new ones for more clarity.
• Listen Carefully: Being a good listener is pivotal for taking notes. Make sure your note-taking is done with full concentration. When you listen carefully, it is easier to skim the information and note down only important information.
• Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing helps you jot down relevant information only and save time. Use individual words relevant to the topic such as dates, numbers, etc. and eliminate secondary details and long words. Skip writing down information you already know and focus on new information only.
• Visual Appeal and Structure: Your notes should be visually appealing and well-structured to keep you interested and also to make it easy to go through them quickly. Organize your notes properly as per class or date; write neatly, use wide margins, headings and sub-headings, add symbols and diagrams, use small paragraphs, underline important points, write a summary, highlight with colorful highlighters and so on. Well-structured notes reduce confusion while studying.
• Use Tables, Diagrams and Graphs: Including diagrams, tables and graphs in your notes makes it much easier to recall them. Tables keep the notes precise whereas diagrams and pictures help in retaining information for longer periods. Graphs and charts are great for remembering difficult stats and mind maps, cluster maps and PowerPoint presentations help with memory-retrieving.
• Use Technology: Tape recorders and mobile phones are great tools for taking audio notes. With the help of technology, you can shoot lectures, participate in group study videos or join an online education platform for help and guidance from experts.