Have you ever had a blackout while taking an exam? I am sure you have, because that is exactly why you are checking out this post! So, what is the solution? All your problems have ONE solution with your studies – NOTE MAKING!
Note making includes specific points or ideas that can help recall the learnt information. It can act as a reference tool for data recollection. You can prepare notes with the help of a book or online resource. You can also take notes when the teacher explains the topic in an online or offline class. However, you need to write fast, and concisely.
But you might wonder – how do you make notes? In this content, I will attend to these issues. Let us look at ten simple ways to help you earn good grades.
- Proper preparation through better organization
Organizing your notes in an indexed format can ease your work. Prepare yourself with the tools and resources you need before the class takes place. You do not want to miss any important information because your pen or pencil was out of reach. If you can include variety, they can serve you well. So, try to use separate notebooks or colorful worksheets for individual subjects. Try to maintain a life of strict discipline as it is the fundamental determinant of success. Make sure to remain well prepared before the class begins. Here is a list of things you would need for proper note making.
- Listen with full attention
Try to pay full attention in your class. Although placing your complete focus throughout the lecture is not possible. But try to make the most of the time, since you will learn best in the class than anywhere else. When you are jotting down your professor’s words in your language, you can obtain a better understanding of that subject. Your notes should reflect your angle of thought and how you grasped the subject. But you should jot down only the main points than write down your professor’s entire speech. When you listen and write, you get to revise the topic thrice. Also, do not hesitate to ask questions for clarifications.
- Write in patterned divisions
Always remember to divide your notes into different points and use simple words to understand. It would be best if you wrote your notes so you can recall them easily. If you can keep your writing to the point and straightforward, you would not have to stress yourself during preparation. You can also choose to highlight the main points of the notes. Try to use a highlighter, or you can underline the important sentences with your pencil. It’s best to avoid a pen since you will not be able to “erase” a line if you have accidentally marked it. When you listen and write, your attention improves, and there is a development in your cognitive and critical thinking. But you will not get the idea if you refer to cheap assignment help that does not maintain quality. Here is how a patterned note should look like.
- Use different pictorial presentations
If you want to enjoy your studies, then try to use various graphical charts like diagrams or flowcharts. Adding sketches and drawings to your notes can make it enjoyable. You will understand the subject very quickly. Pictorial presentations can help you to remember the nooks and corners of the subject with complete clarity. Hence, they can help you save time on revision. However, it does not mean that you get the excuse to turn your “study books” into an “irrelevant work of art”. Drawing or scribbling at the edges will waste your time. Try to use graphs or charts to clarify your understanding of the subject. If you can use the proper techniques for your studies then, you can also score well in your exams. Therefore, experiment with different methods and use the principle that best suits your need. You can use Essay Bot tool if you want to generate quality essays.
Also Read: 8 Online Assessment Tips for Remote Teachers and Learners
- Utilize conciseness and keep it simple
Speakers generally throw their speech in thin air without making sure whether or not their listeners can grasp them. Try to use sight words that have a short length, or you can also use pictures and symbols for short words. If possible, leave some space on either side of every page so that you can fill them later with things that you missed. When the class is on, focus more on what the lecturer is “saying” and try to note them down. If you miss something, you have the option to ask your professor or your friends to connect the gaps. But always remember to write them down in your notes.
- Make Full Use of References
Every subject contains its concerned reference books; therefore, note down the page number or the textbook when the teacher refers them. So, when you go through your book and find something challenging to understand, you can refer to that book. You can also choose to write down the formulas and theories for science subjects like Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics. Hence, when you go home and ponder over your topics, you would not need to spend your labour behind books for the answer. You can always use your notes for that purpose. If all else fails, you can visit online sites of different universities and use their papers as your reference.
- Engage Yourself In Frequent Revision
Frequent revision can help you to use your notes efficiently. The more you read those notes, the better you can remember what you have learnt. Therefore, when you take a short glimpse of these notes before your examinations, you can recall your learning better. The point-wise notes that are concise become simple to read, and your revision improves. After all, you cannot possibly revise the whole book in just a few days. Therefore, when you study at home, try to revise as frequently as you can. The more you expose your mind to your books, the longer you can remember your lessons. But always remember, there is no substitute for sincere hard work. Thus, it is in your best interest that you study all your subjects regularly and equally. Do not prioritize one subject over the other, or else you will score well in one subject and get poor marks in the other.
- Organize Your Notes
When you use worksheets of various colored, you can organize your notes in a much better way. Finding the much-needed subject paper would not become a problem. But what if you do not have colored sheets? Then you can use sticky notes for different subjects. Another way to pick your notes is to mark their margin with a different color according to the subject. You can also separate the topics and the subjects by their names along with subheadings. If all else fails, you can seek dissertation help advice that can enable you to become more organized.
- Use old Clips from past Newspapers
Old newspapers need not have to enter into the junk pile always. They can become handy if you want to use them to gather information on current conditions. You can stay up-to-date with recent newspaper articles. Or, you can use these clips as your sources of reference when you have to write about current incidents. Some subjects require you to place real-life events with the latest information. These newspaper clips can prove to become useful under such circumstances.
- Use the latest Digital Notes
The advancement in current technologies has made our life easier. Now, we have access to both – offline and online resources to create our notes over digital devices. A significant advantage of these notes is that they are accessible at any time from anywhere. Now, students can refer to their notes right from their mobile devices like their smartphones and tablets. They can read these soft copies when they are on their way to school or home. Even if you have trouble sleeping at night, you can start reading your notes from your device, and you will fall asleep within the hour. The multiple “font styles” found in these notes can improve your writing and make it appealing.
Parting Words,
Forgetfulness is not some unnatural phenomenon. Every person struggles with this issue, some frequently and some rarely. The main problem in losing information from your memory is how you can recall them at the proper time. Hence, try to revise your lessons as frequently as possible if you want to get good grades in your exams.
Author Bio: Ethan Taylor is a professor who is also associated with the academic brand MyAssignmenthelp.com as a tutor and works on Paraphrasing Tool. His hobbies include fishing and playing guitar.
