Note-taking: The secret to being EFFECTIVE + FAST

Summary

In this video, Amy shares effective note-taking strategies that helped her achieve straight A's while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. She emphasizes the importance of obtaining PowerPoint slides from teachers, prioritizing functionality over aesthetics, and using color coding to highlight key concepts. Amy advises that blind copying during lectures is acceptable when fatigue sets in, and she encourages annotating notes with valuable verbal insights from teachers. Additionally, she suggests increasing writing speed, avoiding on-the-spot diagrams, and continuously updating notes instead of rewriting them. Finally, she links her notes to homework for easier study and encourages a proactive approach to tackling assignments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Asking for digital notes from teachers can enhance focus and reduce the need to relearn material later.
• 📝 Functionality in notes is more important than aesthetics; focus on clarity and effectiveness over prettiness.
• 📚 Color coding helps highlight important concepts, making it easier to navigate through notes.
• ⚡ It's acceptable to blindly copy notes when necessary; prioritize capturing information over perfect comprehension during lectures.
• ⏩ Increasing writing speed and using abbreviations can enhance note-taking efficiency.
• 📸 Don't copy diagrams in real-time; it's better to mentally absorb the information and recreate it later.
• ✍️ Annotate your notes with additional insights from teachers to capture important verbal information not in slides or on the board.
• 🌱 Avoid rewriting notes; instead, add annotations and updates to existing notes for a more efficient study process.
• 🔗 Create explicit links between your notes, textbook, and homework to make studying for tests easier.
• 📅 When studying, review homework first before diving into notes to build understanding incrementally.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The video aims to share effective and efficient note-taking strategies that helped the creator achieve academic success.

Why is it beneficial to ask teachers for PowerPoint slides or printed notes?

Requesting these materials allows students to focus on understanding concepts during class, rather than worrying about writing everything down.

How does the creator emphasize the importance of functionality over aesthetics in note-taking?

The creator suggests that notes do not need to be visually appealing. Instead, they should prioritize clarity and organization, using color coding for essential information.

What is 'blind copying,' and when is it appropriate?

Blind copying refers to writing down what the teacher says without fully engaging with the material. It is appropriate when a student is too tired or unable to keep up with the lecture.

What technique does the creator suggest for increasing writing speed?

The creator advises using abbreviations and simplifying handwriting to enhance writing speed, ensuring notes remain legible.

Why should students wait to copy diagrams after class?

Students should visualize diagrams during class and draw them later, as this allows for better understanding and retention of the information.

What role do annotations play in effective note-taking?

Annotations are crucial for capturing additional verbal information provided by teachers that may not be in written materials. They help clarify key points and reminders.

What is the creator’s stance on rewriting notes?

The creator believes students should not need to rewrite their notes. Instead, they should add annotations or updates to existing notes, keeping them dynamic.

How can linking homework to notes improve studying?

Linking homework to notes creates explicit connections that make reviewing and understanding material easier during study sessions.

What strategy does the creator recommend for studying for tests and quizzes?

The creator suggests studying homework first, as it presents smaller snippets of concepts, before moving on to more extensive notes to reinforce understanding.