Hey Lani Sweerts!
This is a good question. I prefer typing out my notes as well as handwriting them (if I have time), but below I have listed the pros and cons regarding both options.
✏Pros for Handwriting:✔Increases critical thinking to retain concepts
✔Actively engaged with the material present
✔Strengthens hand and handwriting speed, which is very useful for HSIE subjects and English
✔Allows for creativity without restrictions
✏Cons for Handwriting:❗Can't delete a word if you write/ style it the wrong way
❗Unable to keep backups of the set of notes, hence it is more likely to become wrecked by water, food or other environmental factors (Unless you photocopy them)
❗Can take longer to write up notes
❗Can't really change the format of them half way through
💻Pros for Typing:✔Faster, efficient and accurate. Typing notes out is particularly helpful if you are tight on time
✔Can create backups of the file on various devices (eg. USB)
✔Can print out multiple copies of the notes, meaning you can view/ store them at different locations
✔Can carry less with you around school (eg. Instead of physical folders and papers you can have it all stored on a single device)
💻Cons for Typing:❗Need the appropriate software, such as Word or Google Docs
❗Can be distracted by other background applications or social media (eg. Netflix or a game)
❗Cannot see what the final product will look like (I had a problem where I made the margins wide, then when I printed my notes, the printing margins cut off a lot of the text, then I had to re-type the notes out again)
Both?I would recommend first typing out notes then handwriting them out (But make sure you do this in chunks to assist retention). I did this for my Preliminary studies (Year 11) and found it help a lot for exams. For Example, each time you complete a dot point in the syllabus/ study design, you may type up the notes in class, then when you get home, you could write them out in a workbook and then practice questions on that topic. This way you get the best of both methods.
Anything else other than notes?Equally important as doing your notes is attempting
past paper/ practice questions because it is good that you have a solid set of study notes, but at the end of the day, the final assessment will be an exam. So doing questions throughout the year will ensure that you are not cramming last minute, rather you have a solid understanding of how to approach, answer and structure a high level response. Maybe you could add structures of practice questions into your notes also?
Styling Notes - Tips:💻TypingI strongly recommend the shading tools on Microsoft Word to make headings more appealing, because I found highlighting the headings makes the notes look more confronting. For Example:
✏WrittenFor written notes, I would recommend just trying to find pens that are good (eg. have good ink flow, doesn't smudge). For some notes I used Artline pens (0.4mm nib) and when taking notes during class I used Bic Uniball pens which seemed to work well and last a long time. Another tip is that I have seen people write the title, then go over it with a highlighter.
I hope this helps and goodluck with your studies in Year 12!
Coolmate