Making Notes for Later
It’s entirely normal to make notes in lesson. But what are you making those notes for?
To learn
There’s no doubt that writing down things can help you to remember it. But listening to the teacher and giving the topic real thought can be so much better. You’ll find that you remember things you’ve listened to because it accesses a whole new part of your mind.
You’re using a completely different part of your mind when you listen to someone speak. This part of your mind is a far more powerful learner, and it never gets full (unlike your capacity for just remembering facts off paper).
So it’s better to listen to and understand to what’s being said than to just write it down mindlessly.
Top tip: put it into perspective. Try to relate what you’re learning to things you’ve already learnt, and build relationships between the different ideas.
To revise
People often like to revise from their notes. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? Well, there’s nothing wrong with that, especially if you’re doing a special subject which isn’t done by many (how about AQA History?)
When it comes down to mainstream subjects where you need to recall detail, it’s not always necessary to use them. In this case, you’ll have loads of great revision books (and websites!) to help you on your way.
The only case you’ll ever have to refer back to your notes is when you don’t quite understand something, and want to jog your memory.
So it’s always a good idea to make notes on topics you find hard to understand in the first place.
To read later
This is where you can really make the best use of your notes. Very few people do this, but it’s by far the best way to memorise facts, details and ideas.
By reading your notes later on, it’s like being taught the topic twice. Your mind will skip back to being in class, and will make an extra-strong impression.
As an added bonus, it takes minutes and is pretty easy to do!
So there you have it.
What you’re really making notes for in class is to read later on, and perhaps to remind you how to understand complex thingamabobs. Ease up on the super-detailed note taking in subjects like science!
Now goeth, and take a quick glance at today’s notes! It’ll do you good!