studying

Mastering the Art of Note taking

/ Ritamarie Hensley / Leave a comment
Photo by Anete Lusina on Pexels.com

Taking effective notes during class is a crucial skill for college success. Whether you’re jotting down key points from a lecture or capturing insights from a discussion, good note-taking can enhance your understanding of the material and help you retain information for exams and assignments. Here are some essential tips to help you master the art of note-taking:

1. Come Prepared

Before each class, review the previous lecture’s notes and skim through the upcoming material. This process will give you a framework for understanding the new information and help you anticipate what to focus on during the lecture. You don’t want to enter the class cold, where you spend part of the time trying to remember information from the prior class or your homework. Make sure to bring all the necessary note-taking tools such as pens, pencils, highlighters, and notebooks or a laptop. 

2. Develop a System

Experiment with different note-taking systems to find what works best for you. Some popular methods include the Cornell method, outlining, mind mapping, and the charting method. Choose one that aligns with your learning style and the type of material being presented. Although there are AI tools that can take notes for you, it is essential for you to take your own notes to stay active and engaged in class, especially if the class is primarily lecture. During lectures, it is easy for the mind to drift, but if you are taking notes yourself, you will be actively listening. If you choose to use AI for note taking, you can then compare your notes with the tool. How did you do? How did the tool do? 

3. Listen Actively

Stay engaged during class by actively listening to the instructor and participating in discussions. Focus on understanding the main concepts rather than trying to transcribe everything word for word. Listen for cues such as repeated phrases, emphasis, and tone, as these can signal important information. Many students work too hard to capture each word; however, this does not allow time for you to process the information or distinguish what’s important from what’s not. During the lecture or reading, important points are typically repeated and/or emphasized, so make sure to include this information in your notes rather than every word. 

4. Organize Your Notes

Keep your notes organized and easy to review later on. Use headings, bullet points, and indentations to structure your notes hierarchically. Leave plenty of white space for annotations and additional comments. Consider color-coding or using symbols to highlight key points, definitions, and examples. It’s always a good practice to return to your notes shortly after the class so you can fill-in information where you may have missed an important point or connection. Set aside time after each class to review and revise your notes. Fill in any gaps, clarify confusing points, and reinforce your understanding through summarization and paraphrasing. 

5. Collaborate with Peers

Consider forming a study group or partnering with classmates to compare notes and discuss the material. Collaborating with peers can provide different perspectives and insights, fill in any missed information, and reinforce your learning through discussion and debate. Once again, being active during the learning process helps you make sense of the information. 

Effective note-taking is a skill that can significantly enhance your academic success in college. By coming prepared, developing a system, actively engaging with the material, and regularly reviewing your notes, you can optimize your learning experience and retain information more effectively. Experiment with different strategies, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to seek support when needed. With practice and persistence, you can master the art of note-taking and excel in your studies.

Study Breaks, Rewards, and the Help of AI

/ Ritamarie Hensley / Leave a comment
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

How to Schedule Breaks and Some Fun During Study Time

Everyone knows the importance of studying. Everyone also knows how hard it is to concentrate when you’re tired and feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Studying does not have to be stressful or tiring if you know how to include breaks and a little bit of fun. 

The best way to study is over several days. If you can organize your time so that you plan your study time way ahead of the test or exam, you can make studying last just twenty minutes each night. However, if you are a procrastinator or your teacher decided to give a test in just a few days, you will need to study in much longer chunks of time. So, how can you study for hours without losing your motivation and energy? 

The tips below will help get you through your next study session.

Get Outside

If you hit the books hard and get through the first several chapters of notes, don’t forget to give yourself some free-time. Every hour of studying should have a 10 to 15 minute break.

If you’ve been focused for the last 45 minutes, spend the next 15 minutes by stepping outside. The fresh air will give you renewed energy and your mind a break from staring at a book or notes. 

Move

You can also spend some time moving around. Most likely you’ve been sitting at your desk or kitchen table and studying, so when it is time for a break, get up and move. The movement will get your blood flowing which will help with your energy levels. You probably won’t feel like moving, but it is the best thing you can do before you hit the books again. Whether you take a walk around the house or just go to another room, don’t sit down, just keep moving.

Fuel

Hydrate with water and fuel your body with a healthy snack. Studying is not the time for sugary drinks or salty foods. Get up from your desk and grab some water, baby carrots, sliced apples, or a handful of almonds to fuel your body. The water and snack also help you maintain your energy. Again, leave your study environment for a change of scenery. Make this a true break to let your mind wander as you feed your body. 

Find Fun

Study Buddies

Studying does not have to be boring. To add some fun to your studying, join a study group. If you can find friends who have a similar work ethic as yours, you can form a study group and ask each other questions. Oftentimes, your friends will uncover information that you didn’t have in your notes. 

If you can’t find a study group, you can practice teaching the information to your younger siblings or stuffed animals. This strategy gives you the opportunity to view the information in a different way. Consider how you would explain your notes to someone else; it will force you to break it down into smaller chunks. You can even create visuals that will help you demonstrate your knowledge. 

Another study option is to ask ChatGPT or another artificial intelligence tool for help. You can ask ChatGPT to create questions in the form of a quiz or test to help you preview what the actual assessment might look like. This preparation can help you simulate an actual testing situation without the pressure of a final grade. You can also ask ChatGPT to breakdown concepts into simpler terms. For example, if you are studying the process of photosynthesis as a middle school student, you can ask the tool to explain the process to an elementary aged student. This breakdown will help you remember basic concepts from which to build.

Rewards

Sometimes the possibility of a reward will help get you through the toughest parts of studying. Rewards can be simple. You can allow yourself to watch your favorite television show if you study for an allotted amount of time on a given number of days. Or, you can allow yourself time on social media after your study session. The bigger rewards may come after you receive your high score on the test or exam. You can tell yourself that if you receive an A (or whatever grade you’re trying to get), you will treat yourself to a night out with friends. The rewards should be fun and motivating, but only you know what that might be.