Effective Study Notes
Wouldn’t it be great if you had a photographic memory like Mike Ross from the TV series Suits? Once he reads something he never forgets it. Unfortunately most of us do not have that luxury. Instead, students need a way of storing important content that can be processed, reviewed and memorised in preparation for exams and tests.
Effective study notes are the foundation of most top ranking students. They learn how to take the information they absorb in class and record it in a form that makes that sense to them.
Taking good notes is a skill. Unfortunately, most students are never actually taught how to take effective notes. But don’t worry, in this unit, you will be introduced to a variety of methods that top ranking students have used over the years. There is no single method which creates the best study notes. Everyone is different and the best notes are the notes which suit you and the way that you learn and process information.
What Are Effective Study Notes?
Study notes are basically a condensed version of all the information you have learnt in class from your teacher or from other sources such as your textbook. Effective study notes will be different for each individual student, however they should follow the following four criteria.
1.
Notes should be written by yourself, not copied from a friend or bought off the internet.
2.
Content should only be included that is relevant to what you need to know in an exam or test.
3.
Created in an easy-to-read format and in a layout that is suited to the way you learn, memorise and read over information
4.
Notes are organised and stored so that you can carry them around with you at any time.
Wait, Do I Even Need To Take Study Notes?
If you are serious about good grades, then the short answer is yes. Year after year their is a consistent correlation between students that receive the best grades and students that have the most organised and effective study notes.
Some of the common arguments I hear against study notes include:
Effective study notes, although at first will take some time to prepare, will in the long run save you time and make you less anxious when revising for your exams.
And besides, WAKE UP, getting good grades is hard work, things are not supposed to be easy and handed to you on a silver platter. If that was the case, everyone would get good grades.
1.
Good study notes are not necessarily about how neat your handwriting is. More so they should have good structure, organisation and content. If your handwriting is unreadable (like mine and alot of students) there are other tools to format notes. More on this soon.
2.
Note-taking is a skill. For some students it takes several years to get right. Alot of experimentation and trying new formats is needed. Yes, it is more important for Year 12 students due to their heavy workload. But mastering note-taking in Year 7,8 and 9 will give you an edge when you get to upper school. Start early.
3.
This is not what the top students do. Creating proper notes is an integral part of understanding class material and preparing for exams/tests. Effective notes can save you time and confusion in the long run, that often results from being disorganised or relying on a wordy textbook.
4.
Is it just as effective to use your friend’s notes, or even buy your notes online? Perhaps your teacher has given you a set of notes for your subject. Sure, this is handy but it is not as effective as taking your own notes. Studies have shown that student’s learn while they take their notes. The act of creating your notes helps make connections with information and helps memorise this information. You might not be learning as you are writing, but subconsciously, alot of information will be sinking in. Moreover, when you create your own notes, you are doing them in a way that you understand.
5.
5 STEP PLAN TO MAKING EFFECTIVE STUDY NOTES THAT WORK FOR YOU
Step 1: Find the best sources of information for your study notes
Step 2: Schedule weekly time to prepare your study notes
Step 3: Choose a note taking layout that works for you
Step 4: Storing your study notes
Step 5: Figure out how to make the best use of your study notes
Step 1: Find the best sources of information for your study notes
Before you create effective study notes, you will need to know how the course is structured and have access to course content. The source of this course content will obviously vary depending on your school, year group and subject. However, when you narrow it down, there are basically 5 key categories of sources.
-
THE SYLLABUS
-
THE SUBJECT TEXTBOOK
-
THE TEACHER
-
STUDY GUIDES
-
THE INTERNET
-
THE SYLLABUS
This is obvious, but the first source you need to structure your study notes is the subject syllabus. The syllabus is usually a big boring document with lots of unnecessary information, but if you search properly, it will:
-
provide a scaffold and order for your notes.
2. It will outline all topics and essential information you will need to learn for an assessment or exam
You can only really be examined on what is in the syllabus. A normal syllabus will usually be broken into topics and under each topic there should be a number of dotpoints or key content points. Use these topics and dotpoints as your headings and subheadings for your notes. Check out this video to show you more on how to use your syllabus to scaffold your notes.
2. THE SUBJECT TEXTBOOK
The textbook is usually the main go-to source for most students when preparing study notes. Textbooks are an awesome resource as they usually follow the subject syllabus and include most of the relevant content which you will need to know for tests and assessments.
However, many students tend to struggle taking proper notes from a textbook. Some of these books are massive and too wordy. They often have small font, limited visuals and can admittedly be boring.
Some suggestions of using the textbook for study notes include:
1. Make sure you are reading and taking notes from the correct section of the textbook. Check the syllabus or ask your teacher if you are not sure. Find out what is going to be in the test/exam and only stick to the sections you need.
2. Do not write everything from the textbook. You do not need all the content from the textbook. Break it up into smaller parts, dot point key points and only include relevant information.
3. Try and not copy word for word from the textbook, especially if you don’t understand the content. Paraphrasing information or putting it in your own words helps you to learn and understand it better.
4. Most textbooks will make it obvious on what is the most important information. Find the cues. The subheadings are obviously the key sections of the chapter. Most textbooks also highlight key definitions that you need to know and some have a summary section at the end of the chapter. All these cues make it easier to identify what to include in your study notes.
Heading and Subheadings are the main ideas which you can also use for your headngs
Highligted words or words which are defined are key terms to include in your notes.
Check the end of each chapter. Alot of textbooks have summary sections which condense the main points from the chapter. Use these as a guide for your notes.
3. THE TEACHER
Not sure what to include in your study notes? Look to the person who is responsible for creating your tests and preparing you for your exams, your teacher. Some teachers will design PowerPoints, study guides and extra resources to guide you in the right direction. Usually these resources are a hint to what will be in your tests and exams. Also listen out to repeated information. If your teacher keeps going over the same thing it is obviously important. If you are unsure, then ask. It is amazing how many students don’t use their teachers to the fullest capacity. In all my years of teaching it is the top students asking the most questions and help with study notes and assessments. Use your teachers, it’s their job.
4. STUDY GUIDES
Study guides or revision guides are a resource that covers all sections of a subject but in far less words than a regular textbook. They omit all the unnecessary information and only cover content which is examinable. They also include tips, insights and practice questions. Students love these guides because they save time and make life easier when creating your own study notes.
Alot of schools will have purchased these guides, however I have provided some links to various guides from different states.
5. THE INTERNET
Most students will be able to get the majority of their study notes done from the first four sources mentioned. If you are still not satisfied with what your teacher has provided, the textbook or the revision guides then there is always the big wide world of the internet. Whether it be webpages, news articles, social media, YouTube or forums, there is an extraordinary amount of information available online. I would suggest using your teacher and textbook first and then if you want more content for your study notes go to the web.
Some past students actually sell their study notes online or you can even download some for free. Although I recommend only using these as a guide they are good resource to get you started in the right direction. Some example of sites which offer study notes include:
Step 2: Schedule weekly time to prepare your study notes
The golden rule of effective study notes is:
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR STUDY NOTES TO THE LAST MINUTE
If your exam or test is a week away and you are yet to take any study notes then it is probably too late to be an effective tool for study. Effective study notes should not be rushed and need to be regularly reviewed. Learning takes time. Turning information into memory doesn’t happen overnight, you need constant exposure to your study notes over a spaced out period. Waiting until the last minute is not effective.
This means that notes need to be done on a regular basis. The best approach would be to allocate time once a week or fortnight to catch up on study notes for every subject.
The reality is that most students do not do this. Some wait until just before a test or exam. Some do not take notes at all. Top students make the time to do study notes regularly. This requires a consistent level of organisation to keep up to date for each of your subjects. Your study time must be used efficiently. If you have homework or assessments due it makes finding time for study notes even harder. Organisation is the key. In some instances, your teacher might allocate time in class to create some of your study notes, if so take full advantage of these situations. This weekly commitment to study notes will make exam time so much easier.
Kayla is currently studying Arts/IT at Monash University in Victoria after completing her VCE in 2019
Step 3: Choose a note taking layout and method that works for you
Every student is different. How you prefer to create and read notes is different to the next student. There is no correct way. The correct way is the way that responds to you. You might like to use a digital system, you may like to handwrite. You might to use visuals, you may like to use different colours, you may like no colour. You might like to mindmap, or you may just prefer to bullet point your notes.
If you are unsure, think about this? It’s 10pm at night, you have a test the next day and you are reading through your notes. What would be more stimulating to you? Would you prefer to read off a computer screen? Do you prefer your own handwriting? Will colours and boxes and beautiful notes get you motivated or would a more simple plain system motivate you more?
Time is also a factor. How much time a week will you dedicate to study notes? If you want fancy, pretty notes, that is great, but it will take you time. If you are time poor, a more simple approach may be more effective.
DIGITAL NOTES V HANDWRITTEN NOTES
One of the first questions students ask is
“should I use my laptop/computer to create notes or stick to good old fashioned handwriting?”
It’s a tricky question, again with no definitive answer. Studies generally show that handwriting your study notes helps you remember what you are writing better. However with ever increasing technology, digital note taking has some serious merits. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of the two methods.
So what's the advice?
Trial both, see what you prefer. Most students in my classes still prefer handwriting. The top students are mixed. Again it all comes down to personal choice. They are your notes, do what suits you.
I will however suggest:
1. If your handwriting is really messy go the digital approach. Messy notes can destroy the motivation to review them.
2. If you are a very good touch typer or a “techy” student, take full advantage of that and go the digital approach to make full use of some of the cool applications out there today.
3. If you are creative or do i dare say you actually enjoy creating notes, go the old fashioned approach, it can be very satisfying, even rewarding making fantastic looking notes.
Check what Thomas Frank has to say on the paper vs computer matter. Thomas is a productivity expert and has some awesome study tips on his YouTube Channel.
THE LAYOUT
Ok, you have your sources of information, you have decided on paper or digital notes, now you must decide on the type of layout you want for your note taking. In my 20 years of teaching I have seen hundreds of different layouts. Some have been pieces of art, others atrocious. Most lie somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.
Let’s take a look at a case study to examine the different layouts of the same set of notes.
CASE STUDY
Below are three sources from the Year 12 HSC Economic Course in NSW. The section of the course deals with “Types of Unemployment”. The sources include:
-
A section of the syllabus
-
Some teacher notes on the board
-
A page from the Economic textbook
The internet and these three sources are all you need to make effective notes. Lets step by step look at how you can use these sources to make effective notes.
1. First it is clear that “Types of Unemployment” is in the syllabus. This indicates that it is examinable and must be included in your notes. The order for these notes should replicate the syllabus
Heading: Types of Unemployment
Sub Headings: Cyclical, Structural, Frictional etc
2. Looking at the white board the teacher has hinted that real life stats of unemployment particularly from the 2020 COVID period are important to know. This should be included in the notes (using the internet to help find the data).
3. The textbook has the key information for the types of unemployment, but looks chunky. This can be trimmed down, with only the key points included in your notes. Remember to keep it simple, including key definitions and even putting it into your own words to help with understanding and memorising later on.
Ok, so now that all the information is available, you can start to design your notes.
After closely monitoring my top ranked students over the years, it is noticeable that note taking styles can vary, but the top students all have one thing in common when it comes to their notes - they are well structured and organised. Lets take a look at some common approaches taken by top students.
1. The “No Frills” Student (Handwritten)
This is the most common approach taken by students. It’s simple, straight to the point, however very effective.
This student has taken the main points from the textbook and added real life statistics. However what makes the notes so appealing is the organised structure which includes:
-
Easy to read handwriting (not necessarily the neatest handwriting, but easy to read)
-
Not too lengthy key points; a trimmed version of the textbook
-
Colour coordination which includes red, highlighted headings, blue content and black statistics and examples
-
Acronym to help remember the types
There is no “wow factor” to this style, just simple, well organised easy to read notes.
2. The “No Frills” Student (Digital)
Many top students alternatively use the digital version of the “No Frills” approach. Using something like Google Docs or Microsoft Word, the same simple, straight to the point style can also produce effective notes. Again this student has used a dot point approach, colour coordination and acronyms. The structure is very straight forward and is easy to read. The digital format is also quicker for most students.
3. The Visual/Creative Student (Handwritten)
The visual/creative approach to note taking is used by a select few students who have an artistic flair or thrive on using images to help recall information. Visuals can be a great memorising tool. The “Picture Superiority Effect” refers to the phenomenon that we remember pictures better and longer then words.
Some students go full artsy with their notes. They take great pride in making their notes look beautiful, with big decorative headings, borders and tables. This is not for everyone, and it can use up alot of time, so make sure you factor this in when deciding on your layout. The reward is very good looking notes which can give you that extra motivation to review as opposed to boring typed up or plain notes.
4. The Visual/Creative Student (Digital)
If you like using images or having beautiful notes but you don’t have the artistic capabilities, then you can always try the digital version. Images from Google and cool looking fonts, borders and colours can be just as effective as the handwritten approach.
“If students read words alone, three days later they only remember 10 percent of the information—but adding a picture to the text increases recall to 65 percent”
5. The Mindmapping Student
Some students can find the traditional linear method of note taking extremely dull. An alternative I have seen by some top ranked students is mind map note taking. A mind map is a diagram that links a central subject to related concepts, ideas and words.
Mind maps are generally done on a blank piece of paper in landscape mode. You generally write the topic in the centre of the page, then add your notes in the form of branches that scatter outwards from the centre. Mind maps encourage you to take fewer yet more meaningful notes, using mental triggers such as keywords, short phrases, images, icons and colour.
The example above has the same key information as the previous examples, however in an even shortened version, focusing on key words and phrases.
This style of note taking is not for everyone, however some of my best students actually find it fun and have found it a great way to store and review information.
I haven’t seen many students use the digital approach to mind mapping but there are a range of apps which specialise in creating mind maps. Some of the more popular ones include:
6. The “I Love Tables” Student (Handwritten)
I have a few of my top students that love to do their notes in table format. “Tabular Note-taking” is a good way to categorise information and becomes great for revision as information is usually separated in columns and boxes. Tables are great for listing factors or comparing viewpoints or advantages and disadvantages.
The thing with tables is you can personalise them and use them for whatever you want. They simply serve as a way to separate information to make it easier to review.
7. The “I Love Tables” Student (Digital)
Of course, tabular notes can be done digitally. In fact it is probably easier to do using something like Word, Excel or Google Docs then it is to do handwritten. Adding colour, bolding key words and formatting tables are a lot easier with a digital device.
8. The App Student
In this new digital world more and more students are drifting towards note taking apps. These apps allow you to take notes and then sync them across all devices, be it your desktop, tablet or smart phone. This is a powerful tool giving you access to your notes at all times whether you be in the car, in the park or on the toilet.
There are literally hundreds of different note taking apps you can choose from, but the two that I consistently see students using in my classroom are.
Other popular note taking apps that some students are using include:
Check out how these University students are using Notion and Evernote for study notes and to help with Uni life.
9. The IPad Student
The iPad is rising in popularity for note-taking. Apps such as GoodNotes, Notability and Noteshelf are turning note taking into an exciting experience. These apps have the ability to switch between typing and writing (with the Apple Pencil), have several built-in note layouts and make it easy to embed images, videos and even record voice memos.
For a more detailed look at how to use the iPad for note-taking watch how Alicia uses it for her Science notes at University. You can also look at more study tips on her YouTube Channel
INEFFECTIVE NOTES
The above samples are examples of clear, structured effective notes. The majority of my top students use one of the above layouts. Some are simple, some take more time, however they are all well organised and effective as a study tool. If you are serious about good grades, then consider one of the approaches used above
Unfortunately, most students do not do notes properly. This makes them an ineffective tool for study and a waste of time. The examples below are two of the common mistakes I see when it comes to note-taking.
A common problem is that students write good notes but they either rush them or have really messy handwriting. This makes it hard come study time and is not great for reviewing. You can see in the examples on the left that it is very hard to read, all one colour and very uninspiring to review. If your handwriting is that bad perhaps look at a digital approach or an app like Evernote. However, remember these are your notes, and if the handwriting truly does not bother you then go for it.
Ok, this is by far my biggest pet hate when it come to note-taking. Students that just copy everything from the textbook or copy/paste into their notebooks. Seriously, what is the point? You might as well just read the textbook. You gain nothing from this. It is a waste of time and does nothing to help you process the information. Do not do this, it is pointless.
Step 4: Storing your Study Notes
Creating effective notes is one thing, keeping them stored in one easy to reach, accessible place is another. Remember the key is to be organised. You want your notes to be available at any time. If you are on the bus, in the car, on the couch or in the toilet, they need to be stored in a convenient way so that you can bring them with you anywhere you go.
First of all some examples of “what not to do”.
-
DO NOT mix up your subjects in the one notebook or folder. Have a separate notebook, folder or exercise book for each subject.
-
DO NOT have loose notes lying in your folder, locker, bag or anywhere. Ahh this annoys me. Keep them safe and organised.
-
DO NOT leave notes stored digitally, print them out (some exceptions to this, see below)
I will go through what I see the majority of my top students do. You can of course tweak your storage system to how you prefer, but the following are examples of what the most organised and efficient students are doing for note storage.
1. They use one of the following three items for storage of notes
The above three are the most popular methods of storage. I would say that folders are probably the most efficient as they are compact and secure your notes safely in protected plastic sheets. You can also slip in important handouts, past assessments and the syllabus. Exercise or Notebooks are probably the most popular storage method. They are cheap, compact and have ruled lines ready to start your notes asap. Binders are probably a little more clunky, however have the most room for storage.
2. Separate notes for different subjects, even different units
Whatever storage system you decide, have a separate folder/binder/notebook for each subject. If you want to break it down further have a separate folder/binder/notebook for each unit/topic in each subject. Make sure these are labelled or have cover pages
I have seen some students have 6 subjects x 4 units, so 24 folders for the year. Maybe a little excessive but it makes life easier come exam time. You can carry around the units/subjects you need and leave the rest at home or in your locker.
3. Include extra important documents
Some students add extra documents in their binder/folder/notebook:
-
The syllabus at the front
-
Any important handouts that adds value to your notes
-
Past tests and exams
4.Keep Folders/Notebooks/Binders in a convenient, reachable place
Preferably keep your notes somewhere where you know they will always be. This will be usually somewhere safe on your study desk at home or in your locker. Something like these book holders below are great for storage.
What about the digital note-taking students?
Ok, this is a tough one. What I have suggested to students in the past is that if you have digital notes, print them off and slip them into a folder or binder. The reason I say this is because from what I have experienced, students are more efficient reviewing their notes when they have an actual hardcopy. There is just something better about having a physical copy of your notes to look over. Reading off a computer screen or mobile phone can be draining and also distracting with all the alternative entertaining things you can do on your device. My recommendation is to print a hard copy and put them into a folder/binder.
With that being said, if you are still determined to keep your notes digitally stored, then great, it is your preference. Just make sure you are organised.
Saving everything under one big folder will just not work. Make sure you have:
- Folders for each subject
- Within each subject you have folders for each unit/topic
This makes accessing particular sections/units easier. Watch the video to see an example of how this might look.
If you are using apps like Evernote and Notion, they do all the storing for you. They have a great organisation system making it very easy to create separate notebooks for each subject and easy to search for particular topics or keywords. In saying that, I still recommend my Evernote and Notion students to print out hard copies. I guess I am old fashioned, but again, it all comes down to personal preference.
Apps like Evernote and Notion have a great storage system. You can create notebooks for each subject and topics within each notebook
Step 5: Figure out how to make the best use of your study notes
Congratulations, you have done your notes. They are neat, organised and stored safely. Now what? Do they just sit on your desk until the night before an exam? No way. You need to be active. You need to utilise this awesome resource you have created.
Try a few of these activities to put your notes to best use.
-
Review, review, review
Yes, it is true that the actual act of doing your notes helps the information sink in, but you need to review what you have created over a long period of time. Read small portions on a weekly basis, do not cram before an exam or assessment. Read before you go to bed, read on the bus or train, read out aloud, read to your parents.
3. Practice past tests/exams using your notes for assistance
Memorising your notes is one thing, being able to use them to answer a question in an exam is a different thing altogether. Your notes are probably in short, sharp dot point format. However exams and tests need full sentence answers. Use your notes to help you write these answers in practice papers. Once you are confident enough try the papers without your notes.
4. Rejig/add to your notes
As the year progresses and you learn new content you can always add/edit your notes. You may pick up some extra hot tips, or find a new example, or anything that you think might add value to your notes. The act of adding to your notes or rewording is powerful because it shows that you are understanding the important content that needs to be recalled.
2. Rewrite
I have seen some students read over particular topics then rewrite as much as they can remember without looking at their notes. Rewriting definitions, key factors, diagrams, anything they can remember. Some transfer notes into even smaller, condensed summary pages or flash cards closer to exam time (See unit 4 “The Secret Art of Studying”)
5. Test a friend
Use your notes to quiz a friend in your class. If they don’t know the answer, tell them, teach them. They can do the same to you with their notes.
CONCLUSION
Effective note-taking is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to nailing your exams and tests.
The most important takeaway from this unit is that note-taking is a skill. You need to experiment, and find out what suits you best. Everyone’s brain works in a different way.
Once you have found a style and layout that suits you, organise the time to prepare your notes on a weekly basis and put them to best use in the lead up to your tests and exams.
Good Luck