Note That!

Writing is a difficult but highly efficient way of learning...

Research has shown that taking notes is not only the amnesiac’s crutch but also helps in improving performance at school. The practice increases retention as the notes effectively highlight important features of a particular topic. If you are interested in keeping a tab on the lectures, taking notes is an effective way that will also make you a disciplined scholar. If you have the intention to do so but always find it a boring task then buying attractive stationery could be a good idea. And the added advantage is that your teachers also get impressed!

Benefits of taking notes in class

1. It is like a revision in itself. Once you’ve jotted down the notes, reviewing them will result in superior recall.
2. Notes also save time. You don’t have to waste time calling all your friends for the key parts of the lesson or fishing them out yourself. You will have all the crucial information packed in your own style.
3. The exercise of note taking forces you to pay attention to what is being said in class.
4. Teachers in class usually highlight only those points that are important. Taking these points down helps you focus on the most relevant and important topics.

Here’s how you should go about it

1. To begin with, attend all lectures to maintain the logical flow of a subject.  Bunking classes and later getting notes from your classmates is a bad idea because secondary information is not completely reliable.
2. The next thing to do would be to get rid of distractions in class. No mobiles, no doodling and no mp3s in class.
3. Listen actively. Active listening doesn’t imply mere alertness. You are also required to simultaneously process what is being said in class and question assumptions, arguments and statements. Write these down as you take notes.
4. Don’t write down everything that the teacher says. Look out for “signal statements” which tell you what’s coming up so that you are prepared in time to take note. For instance, words like “importantly,” “point number one,” or “therefore” will give you the structure of the argument that the teacher is making.
5. Try to recognise the basic argument of the chapter or lesson and write down the points relevant to it. Ask ‘where do themes of a lecture go with respect to the chapter?’ Find a relationship between your readings and the lecture.
6. No need to write complete sentences. You can write key words or invent your own shorthand.
7. Leave gaps between paragraphs or points to add your thoughts later when you revise.
8. Draw, if need be, the connections and relations between elements or theories.  Sometimes graphic representations are easier to remember than words. So get your artistic cap on! Be creative with your notes.
9. Underline or highlight what is important according to the teacher. He/she might be setting questions later in the semester from these portions.
10. Lastly, organise and rewrite the notes every day. Get rid of the abbreviations and arrows and asterisks. Write in clear long sentences and make these notes coherent. More importantly, it will be an exercise in revision. These will make studying fun and easy and at the end of the semester you will be a clear winner.

Most students who are good at homework or exams take copious notes. But also remember that reams of notes are not useful if you don’t review them or if you have taken points without a thought. Listen attentively first. If you don’t understand something then make a mark next to it and remember to clarify. Also, never forget to add your own remarks in the column next to it. A sure way of remembering lessons is to invest your own thoughts in the matter!