How To Be the Best in Your Class: Stop Taking Notes!
I failed a lot of exams in high school and sometimes in college too.
I find it pretty disappointing sometimes because I feel like I’m giving my best, but I’m actually delivering nothing. So, I use the traditional studying method, where I read and then memorize. That’s it.
I did it D-1 before.
The problem
The problem is not because I don’t want to study sometimes.
The problem is more in my focus. I don’t have enough focus in my class, and then I started to feel like wasting time in class. I went to the bathroom often, hoping that when I came back to the class, I would get some enlightenment.
Then I learned that I was taking notes a lot.
I write down every sentence and every paragraph from the PowerPoint or from a book. I keep on taking notes; it doesn’t matter if it’s really that important or not. I thought that I was becoming much smarter by taking unnecessary notes.
Studying Methods
After a couple of times and doing some research too about studying methods, I learned about time blocking, pomodoro, and spaced repetition.
Pomodoro
I did most of them, and most of them work pretty well. I tried pomodoro, and I made myself study for 25 minutes and then took a break for 5 minutes. Even so, after I take a break, I always find myself getting distracted easily.
The second session always lacks more focus than the first session.
Spaced Repetition
Then I tried spaced repetition, which is pretty great.
The problem with this method is that you need to be consistent and focused while studying. It doesn’t require a lot of time; it actually depends on how long you review your material. Sometimes, after class, I take some notes and try to memorize what I have learned.
Then I found it pretty effective even though I don’t know really know why it’s effective.
Divide the definition
Sometimes I write down some words that I don’t really understand so I can search for them later.
For example, if I write down “macroeconomics”, I then divide it into two words: macro and economy. This is a little tip to understand easily, in my opinion. So, you learn first about macro and then about the economy.
If you already understand both, you can then combine them.
Then you use your own understanding to really connect with the real definition of macroeconomics.
I use that method all the time.
Taking notes
I watched a Jordan B. Peterson video about not taking notes in class because it could ruin your focus.
Then I realized that it was good advice. Then I tried that, and I found myself becoming much more relaxed in class because I don’t have to write down all the materials that have been given. Sometimes the lesson will be given online, and I can access it later, so I don’t have to write it down.
Taking notes can reduce your focus if you keep on doing it while the lecturer or teacher is explaining it to you.
Our brains are not built to multitask. If you keep on writing while listening to your lecturer, that is not pretty effective.
Then how will I take some notes?
- Take notes when you have finished the class, when the lecturer is giving a break, or when you are beginning a new chapter.
- You can write down the definition or the lesson with your own understanding, not how exactly your lecturer explains it to you.
- You need to use your own understanding because you are the one who knows how you understand yourself.
- You can use words, images, or arrows, which could help you easily understand.
Then how do people take notes if the lesson requires a lot of complex words that can’t be memorized easily?
- You can take notes, like writing down the words, for example, macroeconomics.
- Just write down the word, and then you can search for it later in ChatGPT or Google. I found it pretty helpful to search for it by myself sometimes.
- Then, if you still don’t understand it, you can ask it directly to your lecturer or via online chat, which teaches you to be proactive in class.
This method is not only available for classes or school.
You can try it when you are learning courses on Udemy or another platform, or you can use it to learn something on YouTube. Even so, if you still don’t have any commitment to study consistently, then all these methods and notes won’t be effective, of course.
Taking notes in class could be effective, but it could be a disaster for your focus.
Knowing the right technique to take notes could boost your studying and improve your academics or knowledge.
You also improve your memory because you try to remember and understand what you have learned by writing it down after class or subject. Eventually, you will improve yourself not only in the subject you have learned but also in how you try to understand something,
which is the skill of learning.
“Everything is learnable, and what others have learned, you can learn as well.”
—Brian Tracy
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