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How to Use Your Class Notes to Study
By Meaghan Montrose
You’ve taken notes from a textbook or during class, but now what? Just having words written on a paper doesn’t mean you will remember or understand them. In order to truly learn something you have to actively use it in some way. Here are some tips on how to use your notes:
1. Rewrite them.
For some people the act of rewriting or typing notes will help them remember it. By doing this you are forcing yourself to actively read through the words instead of just skimming your eyes over them.
2. Reorganize them.
Instead of simply copying your notes as they are written, rewrite them in a new way. Rearrange the topics in groups that fit together and summarize the notes in your own words.
3. Make flashcards.
Read through your notes and pick out key vocabulary terms, people, places, and dates. Put these facts on index cards with part of the information on each side. (For example: put the term on one side and the definition on the other or a person’s name on one side and their contribution on the other). Not only will writing down the information to make the cards help you remember it but you can then use these cards to quiz yourself.
4. Make your own quiz.
Read through your notes and create questions that emphasize important information you need to know. Write these questions on a separate sheet of paper and leave space for an answer. After you make all of your questions, go back to the first one and answer it. When you are done, check your answers. Then, go back and make new questions and repeat the process.
Topics: Study Skills and Learning Strategies | 2 Comments »
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yes, the tips seem useful. we can have a try. And, i think a quiz should be the most effective one. Apart from making a paper-based quiz, it is more interesting to make a flash quiz with quiz maker software like Quiz Creator, Quiz Maker, etc. It’s so cool.
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In addition to the aforementioned strategies,I have found that making a pneumonic device really helps. For me, I try to remember a key word for each topic and arrange it into a pneumonic device that will trigger the main ideas- for example OIL RIG- Oxidation It Loses (electrons), Reduction It Gains (electrons).
I also rely on highlighting the main parts of information, just 1 or 2 key words that will help to trigger the main idea. You just have to be careful not to overdo the highlighting because it defeats the purpose otherwise.
After rewriting information, I sometimes try to mentally picture where the information is located on my page. Sometimes just remembering its location will help me remember what was discussed. This seems to work best for me when I need to answer discussion questions and need to cover specific topics.