How I Take Notes as an Engineering Student

Summary

In this educational video, the creator shares a five-step note-taking process designed to enhance academic performance. The process begins with initial note-taking during lectures, followed by identifying knowledge gaps and filling them with resources like textbooks and online platforms. The third step involves compiling all notes into a comprehensive 'super notes' book. The final steps include practicing active recall for memorization-based courses and solving practice problems for math-intensive subjects. The video emphasizes the effectiveness of this method across various academic disciplines.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video outlines a comprehensive note-taking process that evolves from the first day of class to the final exam.
• 🖋️ It emphasizes that effective note-taking can be achieved with simple tools like a two-dollar notebook and a one-dollar pencil, not just digital devices.
• 🎓 The presenter, Tamer, a final-year mechanical engineering student, shares his personal study strategies, making the content relatable for students.
• 📈 The process is broken down into a five-step method: Initial note-taking, Knowing what you don't know, Filling in the gaps, Compiling into one notebook, and Practice and active recall.
• 🤔 Initial note-taking involves capturing everything from lectures, even if it's not fully understood, to ensure no information is missed.
• ❓ The 'Knowing what you don't know' step encourages identifying and writing down questions or points of confusion from the initial notes.
• 🔍 'Filling in the gaps' involves seeking answers to the identified questions from various resources, including textbooks and online platforms like Khan Academy and YouTube.
• 📒 The 'Compile into one notebook' step is about organizing all the gathered information into a single, comprehensive set of notes, or 'super notes'.
• 🗣️ 'Practice and active recall' is a method where students actively engage with the material by explaining concepts out loud and regularly reviewing notes to combat the forgetting curve.
• 📉 The video also explains the importance of adapting study methods based on the type of course: practice questions for math-intensive courses and active recall for memorization-heavy courses.
• 💡 Lastly, the video provides a visual illustration of active recall, highlighting its effectiveness in moving information from short-term to long-term memory.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to guide viewers through a comprehensive note-taking process that can be applied from the first day of class to the final exam, aiming to help them perform well academically.

What does the acronym 'IKFCP' stand for in the context of the video?

The acronym 'IKFCP' stands for 'Initial note taking, Knowing what you don't know, Filling in the gaps, Compiling into one notebook, and Practice and active recall', which are the five steps outlined in the video for effective note-taking and studying.

How does the video suggest handling confusion during initial note-taking?

The video suggests that during initial note-taking, if something confuses you or if you have questions, you should write them down as well. This helps in identifying areas of confusion later for further clarification.

What is the significance of using stars and question marks in the note-taking process as described in the video?

In the note-taking process, stars are used to highlight important examples and key concepts, while question marks indicate areas of confusion or questions that need to be addressed later.

How does the video recommend using resources like textbooks and online materials to enhance notes?

The video recommends using resources like textbooks and online materials to fill in gaps in understanding and to compile comprehensive notes. It suggests gathering information from these sources to create a single, organized notebook containing all necessary information for exams.

What is the role of 'active recall' in the study process as discussed in the video?

Active recall plays a crucial role in the study process by encouraging students to actively engage with the material, recall information without looking at notes, and explain concepts out loud. This method helps to solidify information in long-term memory.

How does the video differentiate the note-taking approach between math-oriented courses and courses requiring memorization?

For math-oriented courses, the video emphasizes the importance of doing practice problems to understand concepts, while for courses requiring memorization, it suggests creating detailed notes and using active recall to remember facts.

What is the 'forgetting curve' mentioned in the video, and how does it influence the study strategy?

The 'forgetting curve' refers to the rate at which information is forgotten over time if not recalled. The video suggests that by actively recalling information regularly, students can counteract this curve and move information from short-term to long-term memory.

How does the video suggest students handle practice questions for math-oriented courses?

For math-oriented courses, the video advises students to work through as many practice questions as possible from textbooks and other sources, ensuring they can solve them without looking at solutions and fully understand the concepts behind them.

What is the significance of the color-coding system used in the note-taking process as described in the video?

The color-coding system in the note-taking process helps in organizing and prioritizing information. For instance, titles might be in red, steps in blue, important remarks in black, and examples in gray, which aids in quick identification and recall of key points.