Note+Making

**Why make notes? ** § A useful record of important points for future use § Helps your understanding because it focuses you § Helps you think through where everything fits § Organises your material for exam revision § Keeps more information in your memory § Helps ideas flow § Helps you get started with your assignment § Helps planning. You can see where information goes § Helps memory – summing things up helps long term memory, the act of writing helps motor memory, pattern notes can be more memorable visually § Helps link new knowledge to existing knowledge § Process of reduction helps identify the essential Don’t rewrite notes – it interferes with visual recall – keep one good set of notes and a series of cue cards Don’t just **read** notes – **DO** something with them
 * How to make notes? **
 * Your note making must be active – or you will miss the vital step – making meaning for yourself **
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Keep notes brief – Reduce info to a set of memory triggers – one key word or image
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Keep notes organised
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Use your own words
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Leave a wide margin and spaces – to add thoughts, ideas, questions later
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">highlight the key words – these are the ones which are most loaded with meaning and unlock your memory
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Write phrases and not sentences
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Use abbreviations
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Use headings
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Number points – then colour them – Use both sides of the brain
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Make the page memorable – with colour, illustrations etc
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Link up points – using arrows, dotted lines, colour, numbers, boxes
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Write quotations in a different colour
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Use columns – one for the notes you make and one for thoughts and questions
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Draw a ring around floating bits of information
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Link stray information by colour coding it
 * <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Transform notes into something else – a flow chart, a picture, diagram