Study tip of the week

Mix up your notemaking format

• How many of you write your notes the same way all of the time?
  
• How many of you just copy your notes straight from your text book into your notebook - sequentially - maybe underlining or highlighting a  few key words or headings?
• How is this working for you? Are you remembering what you have written when it comes time to use those notes in a test?
  

If you answered yes to the first two questions and no to the last then you may need to consider changing your notemaking format.  Here are few ideas that can help 'mix it up' a bit with your notes.

1. Try writing your notes in a different format occasionally.  Perhaps use a graphic organiser that forces you to organise your information in a particular order.
   
2. If you never use colour try highlighting different concepts in different colours.
3. Use flash cards to record information about a particular concept. Write the information on one side of the card and draw a picture on the other side that illustrates the concept.
4. Try creating a mindmap as you are reading your text book. Make relevant connections of ideas and use pictures to help stimulate your thinking using other parts of your brain.
5. Once you have recorded your notes in class go home and rewrite them that night using a different format   (this also helps with the revision process). Don't just copy them out again.

The quality of your notes will greatly influence the success of your revision processes when you are studying for exams - they are very closely linked.  Effective "mindful' notes provide a strong revision foundation.
If you want to find out more about this topic check out the resources in the following Studyvibe and Research Safari modules.
Notemaking (you will need to be a member of the Research Safari to access these resources)
Thinking Templates and Graphic Organisers
Mindmapping