#I colour code most notes to separate thoughts from lecture notes from PowerPoint slides

[mooseonahunt]

A classmate asked me if they could take pictures of the notes I took last class and my life flashed before my eyes as I remembered I wrote a bunch of stupid shit in there cuz I kept getting distracted

[vinnieworld]

Tips and advice on Note Taking

It took me a while to figure out what works for me, and I'm still experimenting. Note taking can be fun but it can be time consuming and takes a lot of effort and motivation to do. Here are my little tips on tackling that.

1) Keep one book for all your modules

- So you don't have to carry five-six books at once

- Divide the book into equal sections (for each module)

- On the first page of each section write all the assignment and exams for that module as a self-reminder < So every time you open the book you know you shouldn't be procrastinating :) > (of course if you don't open the book this isn't an issue but that's not why we here)

- Keep a general section where you write extra information that relates to the subjects (e.g. extra seminars, extra activity sessions, groups project notes, your own research for subjects, assignment preparation etc. )

2) ONE lecture = ONE page

Sometimes, this might not be possible because Uni likes to give us 90-100 powerpoint slides. So in that case it's okay to have an extra page or two ( I will post how to break down long lectures like this), condensing such lectures can be tricky cause there's so much content but DON'T PANIC ... do what works for you at your own pace!!! <3

- Personally, having like five pages for one lecture can be overwhelming so I tend to cut down my notes one page for lecture.

- Condense the lecture slide into one or two sentences

- Draw a separate box on the page for extra information (either given by the lecturer or researched yourself)

- Any diagrams or tables given, either copy then into a digital note taking place (personal favourite Notion) or put them in a note-card or sticky note

- Staple extra note-card or sticky note on to that page so it doesn't get mixed up with the other lectures.

3) Colour code

I'm a sucker for colours, so I need colour if I'm going to revise. So I make my notes as colourful as I can.

- Have a colour theme (preferably for each module) - e.g. purple, yellow and green for Human pathology and pink, yellow and light blue for Human anatomy. (This low-key tricks your brain into associating that information with that colour , so it becomes easier to recall information)

- Only highlight most important information (sadly... this doesn't mean the whole lecture )

- Important information can be definitions, examples, equations, comparisons, research areas.

- Separate box to keep extra information given or needs to be researched (Highlight the box not the information in it )

4) Draw illustrations

I personally can't stare at a page without pictures, especially when I'm trying to revise. So I tend to add little drawings on to the page, it's not always annotated diagrams but small illustrations relevant to the lecture

- Overall diagram or drawing (e.g. lecture on the heart = anatomical heart)

- Pick an area or subheading and draw something that reminds you of it (it doesn't have to be scientific - make your notes fun)

- Relate the annotated diagrams to the lecture (leave space for the drawing and the annotations)

5) Summarise -> flashcards

More condensed version of the lecture, based on the information on the page (Do not go back to the powerpoint slides). Then condensing the summary further into a flashcard. This personally helps me to understand the content better and keep it in my memory for longer. It's also easier when revising for exams.

- One to two paragraphs from the lecture notes summarising the whole page

- Pick out key information. e.g. Main purpose, definitions, examples.

- Link the content, subheadings, form your own connections

- condense the paragraphs even further only picking out information you MUST remember and put it on a flashcard

- Write at least 4-5 sentences or key words on the flashcard (that summarise what was covered in the lecture)

Thank you so much ya'll for reading this, I hope this was helpful for you and make sure to tell me your thoughts and feelings.

Till next time lovelies x