Writing notes for exam preparation is a traditional way of developing learning and writing skills in students. It is one of the important tools for exam preparations because it works as your revision guide. Many experts say note-taking skill helps in building effective ways of studying the subjects.
Note-taking is a unique skill that helps you write all the important things step by step and reminds you that there are many other aspects related to note-taking skills.
This article will help you learn the basics of note-taking skills and some important ways to write notes.
Although writing notes takes a lot of time, it impacts students and benefits them in their exam time. Many people or students do not know how to write effective notes or utilise the maximum potential from notes. Here are some effective ways to improve your note-taking.
What Is Note-Taking Skill?
In simple words, note-taking is the skill of writing notes. To summarise the important points in your own words is note-taking. When writing notes, it is not necessary to write down everything. The points that make the notes effective are what to write in notes, identifying the correct topic or headline, including key information, etc. But, not everyone is proficient in writing all these aspects in a summarised way. The skill to write all this important information while notes-writing is a notes-taking skill. Using minimum words while including maximum information is the skill that makes notes effective.
How Is Note-Taking Skill Beneficial?
Note-taking is a beneficial skill for students as notes work as a key tool in their examination preparations. Notes enhance their academic success. But how do they do it? It is given in the below points:
- Creating notes helps them focus on the topics and increases their attention to the details of the matters. As a result, they get to know about the topics in detail.
- With the help of effective notes, they are actively involved in the learning process, increasing their productivity.
- Note-taking is a method to boost their memory retention because while writing content breaks into small sections, it becomes easy for students to grasp them.
- This skill helps them increase their productivity, creativity, comprehension, and organisational skills.
- Note-taking helps students give importance to the necessary topic and remove unnecessary elements.
- It is a necessary tool for every student in any learning situation.
- It teaches students to organise their ideas effectively and focus on a particular subject while expanding their knowledge.
How To Write Exam Time Notes?
There are various ways of note-taking. It is the choice of the individual what method they select from these.
Some of the note-taking methods are mentioned below.
- The Cornell Method:
This note-taking method has been used for a long time and is a traditional way now. Even some of the other note-taking methods were inspired by its idea.
In this method, the page is divided into three parts. The first part is for the keywords or ‘cues’, the second part is for the notes, and the third part is at the bottom for the summary section.
In the left narrow section, i.e., in the cue part, you have to mention the main points of your notes. In the broad section, on the right, i.e., you have to explain the cue points in the notes area. And in the bottom part, the summary section, you have to write a clear summary of all the notes.
- The Outline Method:
This method is also known as the linear method and is the most common note-taking method. In this method, you have to select four to five key points and cover the entire lesson in these points.
These key points work as headings, and under these headings, write in-depth subheadings and write the details about the key points. This method is used when you want to organise your notes from the start. Also, while using the outline note-taking method, remember to leave enough space on each page to have plenty of space for all your sub-points.
- Using Visual Techniques:
It is a visual aid method. In this method, one topic is connected to another with the help of lines. This method is a great way of taking notes on specific subjects like Chemistry, History, Philosophy, etc.
In this method, you start to draw content from the main idea at the centre and then move forward to branching it with the related terms. You can move further by going in-depth on the topics and sub-topics in each branch. This method helps in improving the natural way of brain processing. Using visual techniques like flow charts, infographics and images can explain any topic that can break into small points.
- Flow Notes Method:
This note-taking method is best for students looking to maximise their active learning and minimise their review time. The main idea of the flow notes method is to treat yourself as a student.
In this method, write your notes freely as you wish with the help of arrows, doodles, diagrams, and graphs. This method also helps to connect information from various fields within the subject. The only disadvantage of this method is that it consumes a lot of time while reviewing.
- Writing on Slides Method:
It is another method to strategize notes. This method works more effectively during classroom studies when your teachers provide slides that they are using for their lectures.
The slides may be in the form of handouts or internet downloaded data. You have to take these notes and expand them on the key concepts. Your teacher has already presented the ideas to you, so your outlining work is already completed. Now you are left with hardly anything to do.
- Charting Method:
This method uses the ‘charts’ style to write notes to divide the data. With the help of this method, you can easily make a comparison or categorisation.
This method is the idlest compared to other methods. The students who want to highlight the key features of different topics and organise the facts can use this method. It helps you to review the facts with ease.
- The Sentence Method:
The idea of the sentence method is to write notes in the simplest form. In this method, you have to jot down everything that is being said to the best of your ability.
Suppose you compared it with the other methods. In that case, this method provides you with the most details and information to review the data. You can brief the topics by covering the main points. With the help of this method, your notes are simplified up to such levels that it becomes much easier to review them. The only problem with this method is that it can be tough to keep up with everything.
- Bullet Journaling Method:
In the bullet journaling method, you have to convert the blank page of your notes diary or sheets into a beautiful representation to process your thoughts. You can use different aspects of other types of notes.
The bullet journaling method aims to keep your notes organised and attractive. You can use colours, sketches, coloured pens, or other ways to make your notes as attractive as you please. The only drawback of this method is that it can be difficult to take notes quickly.
Conclusion
Writing notes is also a type of art. The more attractive and systematic your notes, the more perfect they count. It is a skill of learning and writing. Moreover, it helps with brainstorming and critical thinking. You can also include tricks or mnemonics in your notes to make them simpler and easier to understand.
A well-written and productive note can help you pull out from the exam stress. Notes have the power to push you more during exam time. After all, the journey towards success passes through the note-taking method. This article might contain all the important ways to take notes.
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