Common Note Take Methods- Which One is Right for Your Exam

Your ability to succeed academically is significantly impacted by how you take notes. By taking thorough notes, you may organize information, concentrate on what has to be studied, speed up the review process, and remember the lecture’s main points. The idea behind taking notes is that no matter how attentively you pay attention in the classroom, you won’t be able to retain anything the professor stated. In any event, taking Study Notes throughout class is a great way to remain alert and concentrated.

Guidelines for taking effective study notes

Whatever note-taking method you choose, using a few straightforward techniques will help you get better outcomes.
If you’re utilizing loose-leaf paper, number these pages and date them.
Write quick notes
Never attempt to write down everything the professor says
Rather than using sentences, utilize phrases. Rather than phrases, utilize words.
Students should write down specific details precisely. Definitions, quotes, calculations, and precise facts fall under this category.
Choose a seat where you can listen to the instructor and then see the board.
Leave some room to fill it in later when you forget essential words, justifications, phrases, or facts.
Copy whatever is written on the board precisely. It’s evident that the data is crucial when the professor takes the time to write it down on the board.
Maintain order and organization in your notes. For every subject, keep a different notepad. For diverse subjects, stay away from utilizing 3- or 5-subject notebooks. Another alternative is to employ a three-ring binder with dividers plus loose-leaf paper. Periodically check your notes.
Try out several techniques for online notes to find which one suits you the best.
Learn common acronyms so you can write more rapidly. Create your symbols or abbreviations for terms often used in a particular subject. Point out the key ideas, connections, or examples using underlining, arrows, or highlighting.

Standard Notes Taking Methods suitable for exam preparation

Outlining

A standard method for logically condensing enormous amounts of information is to outline it. There are numerous ways to outline, including letters, Roman numerals, numbers, and other symbols. The most straightforward approach to outlining includes indenting points and subpoints farther in while placing the most crucial information at the very left.

Outlining is most effective when taking notes from a textbook and having the time to think about the connections between various sorts of information. It is beneficial to see if you can recreate the outline while reviewing prior to the test. Unfortunately, using this technique while taking class notes is challenging.

The Mapping Method

Taking study notes visually using mapping is one method. Mapping enhances concentration, requires active participation, and hones critical thinking skills by establishing connections among ideas, facts, plus details. Your notebooks would start to contain fewer words and more arrows, maps, circles, colours, diagrams, and other coding and classification tools.

Numerous advantages of mapping are available to students. It makes it possible for you to perceive the overall picture and the links and connections between various facets of a subject. Since it is mainly visual, this is simpler for you to remember. It can be an excellent resource for studying prior to a test or exam. You attempt to duplicate the chart or map and look for any gaps. Make PDF notes of the same.

For instance, you could employ this technique on a roll of brown paper to produce a diagrammatic overview of your entire program. You may quickly and frequently reinforce your memory by hanging this up in your room and reading it.

The Cornell Note-taking System

The Cornell System is a well-liked method of taking notes that allows you to capture the critical points throughout the lecture and make observations plus notes on the data post the lecture.

Split your paper in the recommended sequence to take notes using this format: One-third of the way down the left side of the page, make a vertical line. During the lecture, take your important notes in the space to the right side of this line. Now, focus on gathering the key points and don’t fret over outlining or categorizing.

This approach motivates you to apply the new information outside class by making connections, underlining crucial terminology, and doing other activities. You may comprehend the more prominent framework in which the new info aligns by reading through your content and using it in this manner.

When studying for examinations and tests, the Cornell System is also helpful. Cover the right side of the page, focus on the relevant words, and attempt to rephrase the facts and illustrations.

Make observations and comments regarding the main topic in the space to the left side of the line prior to the lesson. Jot down important words, expressions, phrases, or clues to summarise the information. When there is room, you can also include questions to assist you later review the information.

The Charting Method

The charting method could be helpful for some types of unique information when making Student Notes. You could organize the data into the proper category by designing and labelling columns with the necessary information beforehand. It not only cuts down on writing time but also makes it simple and quick to evaluate and summarise information. You can duplicate the chart, highlighting the main points about massive amounts of data while reviewing before a test.

Conclusion

Spend time experimenting with different note-taking techniques and pick the ones that suit you the best. Depending on the type of information to be recorded, you could choose a different approach for specific themes. Lecturenotes will help you with Student Notes for different academic purposes as PDF notes or handwritten notes.