Notes

When you read a text, it can be helpful to take notes to help highlight the important sections in the text. You can do this by highlighting words or sentences, or by writing notes in the margins.

No matter how you do it, you should not overdo it - less is more. If you create too many highlights, it will be difficult to return to the text later on and easily access the information you are looking for.

A god method could be to write notes in the margin for every 2-4 pages – this way you don’t risk taking to many notes and by doing this you will also have a processed more of the text before writing in the margin.

You can also help your own studying and notetaking by “making your own questions for the text”. By during this you can help your notetaking, because you then only need to write down aspect that are important in relation to this question. A way of during this is to ask questions based on the different headlines: What is X / How does X relate to Y – or doing it based on the outline in your curriculum.

During a lecture, notes can help you focus and process the new knowledge you have acquired from your lecturer. You should not write everything the lecturer says - only the most important aspects. Writing too much down can make you lose focus. It is important to remember that you are writing the notes to yourself.

It is not a matter of how perfectly they are formulated or how well-written, but rather how they allow you to revisit the content of the lecture later. Therefore, it can be helpful to use abbreviations and illustrations in your notes.

You can also use your notes from the lectures to test your understanding of the given text. Maybe your notes from the lecture indicates, that you should read the text again, because your understanding of the text differ from your lecturer/class discussion. Hereby you can use your notetaking as an active tool for studying.

It is also important to dare trying new ways of taking notes – is it most beneficial for you to take notes on your PC or taking handwritten notes?

When you are preparing for an exam, notes can help you get an overview of theories and literature, just as it will help you keep focus on the most important parts of the syllabus. It will help you structure the knowledge you have.

Making a Mind Map could help you to get a better insight into your own knowledge – are you lacking some knowledge when you look at your mind map and should therefore study some more within certain parts of your curriculum?

This way you can also get an insight into your own knowledge - are lacking some knowledge when you look at your mind map and should therefore study some more within certain parts of your curriculum?

It is correct, “good” notes are important when preparing for an exam – but you shouldn’t forget, that what you are tested in at an exam is tested on your ability to communicate and present your knowledge. It could be a good idea not just to perceive your “notes” as tool to remembering, but also as a way of preparing your argumentation – so try reading your notes out loud or rewrite them, as a way of processing the information.

Taking notes during group work is a way to document your work process. This way, you can always come back and see what you have previously decided in your group.

Taking notes in groups can serve as a way to always be on the same page and avoid misunderstandings and conflicts. You can take turns being the note-taker.