Proper note taking is perhaps the #1 key to exam success. It takes smarts. You can't expect success just by showing up to class and trying to scribble down everything the teacher says. You know what we mean. When you review the notes (cramming for the test), they don't make sense; it's like trying to learn the same material all over again. Proper note taking technique, on the other hand, can mean great grades, less time wasted, more time for the really important stuff like gaming!
SIX STEPS TO ACE YOUR EXAMS
1. Go To Class.
Crazy as it seems, you will actually save time studying if you go to class. In the classroom you will learn what the teacher really thinks is important.
2. Identify Whats Important.
The major points and topics. This is a learning process. Again, it requires an extraordinary ability to concentrate carefully on what is being said, listening for the teachers voice inflections to sift the extraneous from the critical. Once you have identified the major ideas, organize your notes around them; don't waste time on the superfluous. Discipline yourself to only write down the key points. You'll be able to hear, if you listen for it, what will be in the exam. More is less when you come back to review.
3. Avoid Neat.
Yes, that's right. One of the major hang-ups students have about note taking is trying to keep everything neat: all lines parallel; no fragment sentences; etc. Don't do that. Your goal is to make the big ideas, the important words, the critical examples, and similar crucial information stand out. To do this you need to fragment your text, underline, bold, circle, draw boxes, slant text, write bigger, use all caps, and so forth. This is aggressive note taking. It takes concentration; total involvement in what you are doing. You are much more focused when trying to infer and highlight the key points versus just writing everything down. You will save hours of wasted time when it comes to reviewing your notes prior to exams.
4. Write In Questions.
Since you will be asked questions on the exam, see if you can identify them in the lectures you hear. Sometimes the teacher will actually ask a question. Great. Write it down. Then carefully detect the answer and the supporting material. When the teacher doesn't ask the question, try doing it yourself, and it will surprise you how much of the lecture will fall into place. Again, this process requires that you pay careful attention and focus on what is actually being said and asked behind the multitude of words coming out of the teachers mouth. You will be amazed how much more you retain and understand when you search for the key questions. Later in life, this discipline will serve you well. The smartest business-people, doctors and leaders in all walks of life are those who ask the right questions, not those who have the answers.
5. Concentrate On Examples.
Let's say you are in a technical class of some sort: math, engineering, for example. Don't read the chapter ahead of time because that will almost certainly be a waste of time. The teacher will explain key concepts and give several examples. Concentrate on the examples and ask questions whenever you get lost. If you can follow the examples, you are golden. These examples will be very similar to test scenarios.
Okay, what is the take-away from all of the above? The phrase that keeps popping up is "you need to pay careful attention, focus, concentrate." All of these tips engage your brain at a higher level.
THE GUNGHO
Orignal From: #1 Key To Ace Exams: Smart Note Taking; Five Best Practices
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