How do you create good study notes

[Lachie210]

Can someone please help me out with how to write good study notes please

[heids]

Basically, taking notes is about collecting, combining, and summarising information from a lot of different places.

The steps look something like:
- Read something
- Decide which bits are the key bits, stripping out the less important stuff, and write/type out those key bits
- Simplify those key bits into easier and shorter language
- Read another source, and add in any extra information from it
- Organise into logical order and update at all times
- ... Repeat.

Here's some ideas of what I think are important features of good notes (and examine how other people's good notes do it!):

Concise
Your notes are full of little gold nuggets, the core pieces of information you need to know and understand to score full marks on the exam.  Don't hide them in fluff and feathers (i.e. lots of unnecessary words and irrelevant information).

- cut anything only semi-relevant or too detailed
- condense it into dot points or numbered lists
- strip out filler words and full sentences
- honestly, textbooks often say things a ridiculously roundabout way - think a few times about how to say the same thing short and simple; this also helps you 'get' what it's talking about

Accurate
Double check that your summary actually says what the original source said, and get your teacher to give them a quick go-ahead... nothing worse than learning the wrong info for the exam because you recorded it incorrectly in your notes!  Google and ATARNotes together should iron out most of your problems, if you want.

Evolving
I see each subject like a 1000-piece puzzle - your understanding of it is shaped by tiny pieces of information captured from a million different places (teachers, ATAR Notes forums, revision lectures, youtube, Googling, textbooks, Khan Academy, other people's notes, etc.)  It's your job to fit them together into one jigsaw puzzle - but this takes time.

So constantly add, move, organise, merge and chop throughout the year.  Don't give up and let it stagnate once you've got 150 pieces laid out.  As you find more info, add it in; and gradually simplify and improve conciseness and order, over time.

Unique
When you just straight copy-paste, it lets you record stuff you don't understand.  You don't have to process, digest, think and internalise the information.  If you turn it into your own words, simplify it, rearrange it, and flesh out bits you didn't get, so it makes sense to you - you'll actually remember what it was all about.  One of the most effective study methods I know of.

Structured
- use bold, clear headings (Word's inbuilt ones are super easy to use!)
- try to make the order logical
- syllabus dot-points make great headings/structure
- ordered bullet points and numbered lists are often easier and clearer than blobs of text and full paragraphs/sentences

Clear
- decently large and clear font size
- dot points and spacing after paragraphs (again word's inbuilt spacing after paragraphs is amazing), rather than unreadable walls of text
- clean, simple and consistent

[Paigeyy]

It's really important to make sure you use the syllabus to determine which of your notes are important or not, purely because the HSC exams can only test you on dot points included in it. So you should create a set of notes for every dot point. That's my tip

[jakesilove]

Can someone please help me out with how to write good study notes please

Just thought I'd post up a link we produced recently, on this very topic! It's brief, but gives some examples of the things discussed above.
Check it out here!

Jake

[conic curve]

Is there any service which goes over your notes for free (like the free essay marking service)?

Thanks

[jamonwindeyer]

Is there any service which goes over your notes for free (like the free essay marking service)?

Thanks

Not really conic, but if you want to upload yours I'd be happy to tell you what I think of them!! Just pop them below 

[Swagadaktal]

I'd suggest less emphasis on notes during year 12 - the best way to learn is through questions. I've heard from many others that notes should be used to get you to a stage where you can attempt questions - any more than that is a waste of time.

Anyone have thoughts on this? I follow this method - I don't write notes when I don't have to.

[RuiAce]

I'd suggest less emphasis on notes during year 12 - the best way to learn is through questions. I've heard from many others that notes should be used to get you to a stage where you can attempt questions - any more than that is a waste of time.

Anyone have thoughts on this? I follow this method - I don't write notes when I don't have to.

Shifting the emphasis on past papers is certainly true in itself, however notes were nonetheless a good supplementary aid for when I forgot my content in physics and chemistry. Saved me time from flipping through a textbook when I could just annotate my notes.

[kavinila]

how many different resources should you be looking at when creating notes?
for example, when I create my biology notes; I lookat two textbooks, two sets of class notes, a heap of different worksheets plus other student notes aswell. because of this, I tend to put off doing my notes.

any suggestions for this problem? I know that each of my resources are pretty valuable and of quality but it's just too much. but I don't know which to cut out.
I've thought of some suggestions but could really do with some help!
1. reading through each of my resources and picking the chunks of information and putting them onto one word document and then work from there?
2. eliminate the older textbook(s)
3. stop using past student notes (but they're so helpful!?)

cheers in advance!

[jamonwindeyer]

how many different resources should you be looking at when creating notes?
for example, when I create my biology notes; I lookat two textbooks, two sets of class notes, a heap of different worksheets plus other student notes aswell. because of this, I tend to put off doing my notes.

any suggestions for this problem? I know that each of my resources are pretty valuable and of quality but it's just too much. but I don't know which to cut out.
I've thought of some suggestions but could really do with some help!
1. reading through each of my resources and picking the chunks of information and putting them onto one word document and then work from there?
2. eliminate the older textbook(s)
3. stop using past student notes (but they're so helpful!?)

cheers in advance!

Hey there!! I know your pain, I had a similar issue when writing my study notes in the HSC; how the hell do you write them just from one resource? 

I would personally (and this is what I did) be writing your notes from one resource of each type (pick your favourite). One set of class notes, one textbook, and one extra set of notes of your choice. You may want to use one of our $25 HSC Note Sets for that extra set because they are guaranteed quality and guaranteed succinct (sorry for the advertisement)  past student notes are great, but they are a secondary source, so keep that in mind 

That said, using them correctly is important too! I used to do 3 sweeps, one with each of the resources, beginning with the least comprehensive. So, start with your class notes, and write from there. Then, go through with the student notes and add anything else you think useful. Then finish with the textbook. That's what I did and it worked pretty well 

That said, remember notes should be concise. Textbooks normally have way too much information, try to keep your notes accessible enough to study within a reasonable amount of time 

[studybuddy7777]

You may want to use one of our $25 HSC Note Sets for that extra set because they are guaranteed quality and guaranteed succinct (sorry for the advertisement)  past student notes are great, but they are a secondary source, so keep that in mind

Firstly i ditto what Jamon says about getting the notes, they are superb value at just $25. However, these should not be the only notes you use. Also, notes should not just be page after page on paper- you will not remember slabs of information as well as key dot points and words (its scientifically proven ) Consider some of these ways if you just want to use paper:

-Diagrams
-Pictures
-Flow Charts
-Colour Code

However, you may be like me and simply cannot stare at a wad of paper all day and expect to learn something from it. Try these creative ideas and see if one works for you

• -challenge friends via kahoot or have some sort of competition- really fun way to learn as noone wants to come last! Jeopardy, fill in the blank, 60 seconds are all great games to play!
• -flash/palm cards (these are great for definitions or terminology)
• -mnemonics(my personal favourite- just make sure you can remember them- it could be about a teacher you dont like, a friend you make fun of or something just so absurd it sticks in your head) Consider this: I am in Year 3 learning my colours of the rainbow and a way to remember it that I've never forgotten is Ran Over Your Garbage Bin In Vegas (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). Needless to say 9 years later I can still remember it with pin point accuracy
• -Don't want to study? Don't then! Just stick post it notes all around the house, on your door, your desk, your phone cover, the shower, your mirror anywhere that you can think of! Youll be surprised how much you can recall from this. I'll use another example (oh here you go you're thinking but ill promise itll relate eventually :p). There is only one way to get to the bathroom from my room and thats down a long corridor/hallway. I tend to read things and like 99% of the population, don't get up until the sun is well and truly up so it is light. I put each paragraph of my essay on that wall leading down the hallway, and my exam was 3 weeks away. I only wrote it out once to see if I could in the time limit and hey presto! I get in the exam and remember it word for word.
• -My final one ( yes, last one I promise) is not to have any notes at all but key terms and a container/hat. Negotiate with yourself how many you will pull out of a hat (one at a time and make it more than 3 ) and spend 3 or so minutes writing down everything you know that will relate to this. This is actually a really effective way to study as you don't know what will be asked next, and you will know immediately if you dont know something. I also kept a tally on how many times a card got drawn out so I knew if it was higher than the rest its time for a good shuffle but you dont have to do that

Finally rant over! Thank goodness I wasn't writing this out on paper otherwise half of NSW's koalas wouldve had to migrate . There is just a few options up there for studying so try and think of some more. Sure everyone has to study but why not make it fun? Anyway, just my input. Take it or leave it

[heids]

^ awesome post studybuddy77 keep it up!!

[studybuddy7777]

^ awesome post studybuddy77 keep it up!!

Thanks couldnt even begin to meet your length, detail and depth of knowledge though, good job

[kavinila]

Hey there!! I know your pain, I had a similar issue when writing my study notes in the HSC; how the hell do you write them just from one resource? 

I would personally (and this is what I did) be writing your notes from one resource of each type (pick your favourite). One set of class notes, one textbook, and one extra set of notes of your choice. You may want to use one of our $25 HSC Note Sets for that extra set because they are guaranteed quality and guaranteed succinct (sorry for the advertisement)  past student notes are great, but they are a secondary source, so keep that in mind 

That said, using them correctly is important too! I used to do 3 sweeps, one with each of the resources, beginning with the least comprehensive. So, start with your class notes, and write from there. Then, go through with the student notes and add anything else you think useful. Then finish with the textbook. That's what I did and it worked pretty well 

That said, remember notes should be concise. Textbooks normally have way too much information, try to keep your notes accessible enough to study within a reasonable amount of time 

sounds like a plan! thanks jamon

[kavinila]

Firstly i ditto what Jamon says about getting the notes, they are superb value at just $25. However, these should not be the only notes you use. Also, notes should not just be page after page on paper- you will not remember slabs of information as well as key dot points and words (its scientifically proven ) Consider some of these ways if you just want to use paper:

-Diagrams
-Pictures
-Flow Charts
-Colour Code

However, you may be like me and simply cannot stare at a wad of paper all day and expect to learn something from it. Try these creative ideas and see if one works for you

• -challenge friends via kahoot or have some sort of competition- really fun way to learn as noone wants to come last! Jeopardy, fill in the blank, 60 seconds are all great games to play!
• -flash/palm cards (these are great for definitions or terminology)
• -mnemonics(my personal favourite- just make sure you can remember them- it could be about a teacher you dont like, a friend you make fun of or something just so absurd it sticks in your head) Consider this: I am in Year 3 learning my colours of the rainbow and a way to remember it that I've never forgotten is Ran Over Your Garbage Bin In Vegas (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet). Needless to say 9 years later I can still remember it with pin point accuracy
• -Don't want to study? Don't then! Just stick post it notes all around the house, on your door, your desk, your phone cover, the shower, your mirror anywhere that you can think of! Youll be surprised how much you can recall from this. I'll use another example (oh here you go you're thinking but ill promise itll relate eventually :p). There is only one way to get to the bathroom from my room and thats down a long corridor/hallway. I tend to read things and like 99% of the population, don't get up until the sun is well and truly up so it is light. I put each paragraph of my essay on that wall leading down the hallway, and my exam was 3 weeks away. I only wrote it out once to see if I could in the time limit and hey presto! I get in the exam and remember it word for word.
• -My final one ( yes, last one I promise) is not to have any notes at all but key terms and a container/hat. Negotiate with yourself how many you will pull out of a hat (one at a time and make it more than 3 ) and spend 3 or so minutes writing down everything you know that will relate to this. This is actually a really effective way to study as you don't know what will be asked next, and you will know immediately if you dont know something. I also kept a tally on how many times a card got drawn out so I knew if it was higher than the rest its time for a good shuffle but you dont have to do that

Finally rant over! Thank goodness I wasn't writing this out on paper otherwise half of NSW's koalas wouldve had to migrate . There is just a few options up there for studying so try and think of some more. Sure everyone has to study but why not make it fun? Anyway, just my input. Take it or leave it

woaaah this is so good! I might finally try some of these out. thankyou and good luck!