Grace Bong
We’re always looking for tips for better note taking. Over the past few years, We’ve found a few that really work for us. These tips listed below are what we use to keep all of our class notes in order and easier for us to study off of.
1. Number The Pages of Your Notebook/ Make An Index In The Front of Your Notebook
When you get a new notebook, leave 3-5 blank pages in the front of your notebook before you start your notes. After that number the bottom of each page remaining in the notebook. Each time you start something new within a subject, write it down on the front pages you left blank along with the page numbers it takes up. You will be able to find whatever you need faster.
2. Rewrite Your Notes
Often times you’ll find that your teacher will talk too fast so you must scramble to write your notes and they’re really hard to understand afterward. Get 2 notebooks for your important classes; one notebook will be for sloppy notes in class and the other will be for neater notes at home.
When you get home, rewrite all of the notes you took that day in class. This way, when you’re studying, your notes will be easier to read and comprehend.
3. Use Color To Separate Different Things Within a Subject
Often times within a subject, you will have mini-subjects. You can either use a colored pen at the beginning of the mini-subjects or you can use a highlighter. This way, when you’re going through your notes it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. You won’t have to spend a lot of time looking for the things you need.
4. Add the Date In The Margins Every Time You Take Notes
This may seem like a no brainier, but people often forget to do it. It helps when you need to study notes from a certain time and when other people need to borrow your notes. You could also add in the date if you make an index in the front of your notebook.
5. Use a 5 Keyword Summary
If you have to pick out the important parts from a paragraph, use a 5 keyword summary. Pick out the 5 most important words from the paragraph and highlight them. Use those 5 words to write 2-3 sentences summarizing the paragraph. Avoid highlighting descriptive words, find words that are absolutely important when trying to summarize the paragraph.
We use these tips all the time and we find that they’ve really helped. Tweet us @Fuzzable and let us know if any of these tips have helped you.
