gryhffindors:

Hey guys!  In this masterpost I’ll be going through the note-taking methods I use in different situations. I’m really bad at writing these introduction things so let’s just start (also, I didn’t have time to proof-read this so sorry if there’re any mistakes):

Taking Notes During Class
I’ve noticed that when teachers write on the whiteboard, they don’t necessarily write neatly or in order. This is why I would suggest initially using loose-leaf paper to take notes in class instead of writing in a book. This way, you can write however messily you want without having to worry about the neatness/order that things are in. After class is finished, I usually rewrite these notes into a book with extra information from my textbooks. I get that not everyone has time to do this but it’s worked out really well for me in the past.

Summarising Textbook Information and Other Notes
My all time favourite note-taking method is using Microsoft OneNote. Taking notes digitally doesn’t work for everyone but I personally love this method. For some reason, I find it extremely off-putting to read hand-written notes (i have no idea why but it’s pretty weird) and OneNote lets me organise everything the way I want to. This is what most of my notes look like:

My biology notes are a lot more detailed and contain more diagrams than my physics notes which mostly consist of equations. I usually put detailed information on the left and summaries, keywords, definitions and diagrams on the right.

For Revising
Making little summaries on flashcards is a super effective way to memorise things (especially for studying languages). They are easily portable and you can make online ones on websites such as Quizlet. I usually have questions on one side of the flashcard (e.g. What is the function of the nucleus in an atom?) and the answers on the other.

Diagrams
For visual learners, I would highly recommend condensing textual information into diagrams. This works the best with subjects such as Biology where there are a lot of processes and structures to learn. For example, if you are learning about cells, then you can draw one instead of writing down every little detail into a super long paragraph that you’ll probably never look at again. If you are learning about a process such as the circulatory system, you can draw a diagram with arrows indicating the flow of blood around the body. In the past I’ve condensed up to 2 pages of information into a single diagram that was simple and easy to understand.

Organising Notes
Basically, I have binders folders for the subjects that are heavy in paper and worksheets. The binders contain plastic pockets and loose leaf paper. I usually put any loose worksheets in the plastic pockets and file the heavier booklet type ones after hole-punching them. I carry these folders with me when I go to class or take only the specific sheet I will need for the day. I use little plastic tabs to divide my notes into different topics which makes it easier to go through them. For the subjects without much paper, I have a single folder that I file everything into. I usually leave this folder at home because I don’t need any of the things inside it for class.

Note: No matter what method you use to write your notes, make sure that it’s an effective one. There’s no point in copying out slabs of information from your textbook if you’re not retaining any of it. Use the time before exams start to test out different note-taking methods because having a good one can save you lots of time and effort.

Another Note: I just want to say that this is how I take notes and because I’m a different person to you, I have different needs and capabilities. If this doesn’t help you in anyway or you disagree with something that has been said in this masterpost then I’m sorry but there’s not much I can do about it. 

Ru :)

(via julesanimastudies)