Note-taking
Taking notes is another way to stay awake while studying! Similar to reading, make sure you have a clear sense of purpose before you start.
Avoiding “highlighter syndrome”
Highlighter syndrome is when you’re reading something and everything seems relevant, so you highlight the lot... At the time it can feel like productive study. It’s only when you go back to your notes to see everything highlighted that you realise how unhelpful it was. One way to avoid this, is to go through the process of “getting into gear” described in the reading section and then take notes.
Avoiding “highlighter syndrome”
Highlighter syndrome is when you’re reading something and everything seems relevant, so you highlight the lot... At the time it can feel like productive study. It’s only when you go back to your notes to see everything highlighted that you realise how unhelpful it was. One way to avoid this, is to go through the process of “getting into gear” described in the reading section and then take notes.
Note-taking fundamentals
Make sure you always:
Make sure you always:
- Write down the details of what you are reading (title, author, year of publication etc).
- Write down the page number as you go through the textbook or article.
- Clearly distinguish between what you have written in your own words, and what you have copied directly – use quotation marks, highlighters or different colour pens for direct quotes.
Following the note-taking fundamentals will prevent accidental plagiarism and save you a lot of worry and stress.
What to take notes on
This depends on why you are reading the information. Do you need to note down concepts, definitions or key theorists and their theories? Are there key facts you need to note-down for future reference? You might also want to go deeper into the text, and think about the author’s main argument or what the experiment was.
Taking your notes to the next level
Can you write, in your own words, what the author’s main argument is or, if an experiment, what they did and what they found? Go back to those questions you asked yourself when you were reading (active reading) and write down the answers.
This depends on why you are reading the information. Do you need to note down concepts, definitions or key theorists and their theories? Are there key facts you need to note-down for future reference? You might also want to go deeper into the text, and think about the author’s main argument or what the experiment was.
Taking your notes to the next level
Can you write, in your own words, what the author’s main argument is or, if an experiment, what they did and what they found? Go back to those questions you asked yourself when you were reading (active reading) and write down the answers.
You’re now not passively reading but actively engaging with the text and developing key skills in critical reasoning:
analysis and critique.
analysis and critique.
How to write your notes
There are many different ways to do this. There are even some very formal note-taking systems, see the Cornell and Outlining methods, for example. Presented below are examples of three very simple (yet highly effective) ways to take notes: mind maps, tables and linear notes.
Mind maps present ideas visually, with the core theme in the middle. Tables (or charts) are particularly useful for comparing different perspectives on topics. And linear notes can be made more useful by including your own reflection and a summary of the main argument.
There are many different ways to do this. There are even some very formal note-taking systems, see the Cornell and Outlining methods, for example. Presented below are examples of three very simple (yet highly effective) ways to take notes: mind maps, tables and linear notes.
Mind maps present ideas visually, with the core theme in the middle. Tables (or charts) are particularly useful for comparing different perspectives on topics. And linear notes can be made more useful by including your own reflection and a summary of the main argument.
