Note-taking - art or waste of time?

[acinod]

For my whole life I have never taken notes.

Besides worked examples of maths problems, I have never actually opened up my book and taken down what my teacher says or writes. Even now that I am in uni, I have never printed a single lecture slide. Sometimes I sit down in the lecture and look around to see almost every student scribbling down notes; yet I just sit and listen. I know most of you still reading this are still in VCE but when you get into uni, you'll probably end up printing all the lecture slides and taking notes as well.

Except I don't. Am I missing something? Is it because the subjects I do are mainly maths and science which require less rote-learning? Or is it because of the way I learn and absorb information. Perhaps I am a minimalist. The worst feeling for me is when I'm copying down a worked solution for a maths problem and I just need to write one more line but I have to start a new page, it feels incomplete.

Anyways enough about me. I was wondering if note-taking really helps you guys out?
How do you guys take notes? Do you guys have special pens or highlighters to help you out?

[Genericname2365]

Depends on a number of factors for me. I have found taking notes while I'm listening to someone talk to be a complete and utter waste of time, but for some subjects (like Psych this year) I have found it really helps me to learn all the content, and to feel like I have covered everything. (Although I wrote the notes outside of class, and from the textbook). As for highlighers, I used them a bit for Psych because I heard that it's more active than merely reading it, but generally I can't be bothered with them - although I've heard there's merit in them, if used properly.

[MJRomeo81]

I NEVER take notes in lectures unless it's something that's incredibly important. I also don't print off the lecture slides. Instead, I summarise lectures in my own words into my binder book when I get home (I'm against taking electronic notes).

In the lecture I am absorbing the content. This means my book is closed, I don't turn on my laptop, etc. Actively engaging with the presented material is more effective than scribbling hurried notes onto a page like a robot. IMO nothing is worse than transcribing exactly what the lecturer says without even thinking about the concepts. I see people  quickly entering all these "raw facts" into their notes. This is useless. You need to process the information into the ideas and frameworks which will help you compose intelligent answers on an exam.

After the lecture (during my walk back to the car or to another class) I take a walk and reflect on what I just learnt. I basically pretend that I'm pitching the lecture at an important meeting. I question myself on the big ideas.

There is an art to note taking if you approach it the right way. I had a terrible note-taking strategy for VCE (copying down chunks, rote learning, raw facts, etc.). As a result it cost me in the exams. I took macroeconomics as an elective this semester and (hopefully) absolutely nailed the exam. My success was largely due to my new note taking strategy.

[IndefatigableLover]

(copying down chunks, rote learning, raw facts, etc.).

This. I've always been used to writing down chunks and chunks of work from the board and in the end it was a really stupid strategy. I didn't get a lot out of it since I was basically 'copying' rather than letting the information sink in and set. What I do now is just watch and see how the teacher explains it (E.g For Maths just watch the teacher solve the problem step by step), summarise the information into my own words and then copy it down. The key is to process the information smartly and in a way that is comfortable for you to remember. Also for new words and/or definitions, I tend to have a glossary page at the back of my book (All subjects I take have a page dedicated to this) which keeps everything nice and handy (For maths it tends to have an example of the definition.)

When copying, I tend to colour-coordinate my work so that it's clear and precise whilst highlighters are mainly used to just emphasise a point or to show that this word is at the back of my book in the glossary page.

[brenden]

Yeah I've never really been a note taker. Everyone in school has always been like "OMG YOU NEVER DO ANY WORK AND YOU BEAT US ALL PLS TELL ME HOW" and I've just thought; try listening once in a while.

[kenhung123]

For my whole life I have never taken notes.

Besides worked examples of maths problems, I have never actually opened up my book and taken down what my teacher says or writes. Even now that I am in uni, I have never printed a single lecture slide. Sometimes I sit down in the lecture and look around to see almost every student scribbling down notes; yet I just sit and listen. I know most of you still reading this are still in VCE but when you get into uni, you'll probably end up printing all the lecture slides and taking notes as well.

Except I don't. Am I missing something? Is it because the subjects I do are mainly maths and science which require less rote-learning? Or is it because of the way I learn and absorb information. Perhaps I am a minimalist. The worst feeling for me is when I'm copying down a worked solution for a maths problem and I just need to write one more line but I have to start a new page, it feels incomplete.

Anyways enough about me. I was wondering if note-taking really helps you guys out?
How do you guys take notes? Do you guys have special pens or highlighters to help you out?

What I realise is the notes that I take down is something that is obvious when you come to revise the topic (although it may appear to be really important at the time). So really, it probably only helps me focus during the lecture and at least try to learn something within the lecture rather than just passively listen then just rely on revision to study the material.

[Dejan]

For me I never note take, note taking a waste of time really  if I really listen and absorb the information and understand what is being said, there's no real need for note-taking

[Shenz0r]

I took the note-taking approach in Year 11 and it didn't help me one ounce - more than that, it was a waste of time I felt.

I didn't write like any notes this year for both Biology and Chemistry and I handled fine.

[ktrah]

I find note taking extremely helpful for humanities based subjects. When I rewrite information in my own words and summarise large chunks I find it just tends to sink in better. However, it definitely depends on the person. It's advised not to be the best form of learning and I think most people do better with other forms of practice. For maths subjects and the like it's practically useless.

[Mr Keshy]

Normally I try to find out what we're going to do in class before the class itself. I open up to the pages or chapters of the text book and basically summarise everything into my own words and put it into one note! Which I love using!

[Will T]

In my opinion, taking notes is a complete waste of time and I do not do it (I am in Year 11 by the way). Also, I know a student who writes the most beautiful notes for every subject (they seriously look like a work of art) and his scores are only marginal. Students who write down exactly what the Teacher says probably don't have a good grasp of what is going on to be honest.

[Mr Keshy]

In my opinion, taking notes is a complete waste of time and I do not do it (I am in Year 11 by the way). Also, I know a student who writes the most beautiful notes for every subject (they seriously look like a work of art) and his scores are only marginal. Students who write down exactly what the Teacher says probably don't have a good grasp of what is going on to be honest.

In some ways, doing the actual work with proper steps serves better as "notes"

Actually, now that I think of it. I find notes for subjects like methods is pretty pointless, but for business, chem it's great and I can't do without personally.

[pi]

I never made notes for anything other than spesh in high school.

Make notes for everything in uni (so much rote learning *sigh*)

[Mr Keshy]

I never made notes for anything other than spesh in high school.

Make notes for everything in uni (so much rote learning *sigh*)

Wow all the high achievers don't seem to take notes! 

[vashappenin]

Wait so what did you do in vce to get your amazing scores?