Self-Improvement Series: How to Study More Effectively – Top Methods for College I

By: Unknown

Source: https://www.discoverbusiness.us/learning/#1

• Chapter 1 – Note Taking and Learning Methods
• Chapter 2 – Note Taking Software
• Chapter 3 – Reading Comprehension and Effective Reading
• Chapter 4 – How to Memorize

Here, you’ll learn several tips on how to study, such as scientifically-proven note taking methods, tricks for getting the most out of the time you spend reading, and programs that can help you take more effective notes. Knowing any one method won’t be enough; finding the ones that work best for you and using them in conjunction with one another, however, can be the difference.

Note Taking and Learning Methods

Though it may seem simple to learn “by osmosis,” just letting ideas wash over you isn’t an effective way to absorb and retain information. You need to stay actively engaged to study. Whether you’re wondering how to study in college or how to learn information for a business presentation, note-taking is key.

As you read these tips on how to study, remember that the most effective method of note-taking varies from person to person and from situation to situation. It’s best to experiment with a range of techniques and find the method that works best for you.

The Cornell Note Taking System

Cornell University professor Walter Pauk, author of the bestseller How to Study in College, developed this note-taking method in the 1950s. The Cornell Method helps students systematically record, analyze, synthesize and reflect on the material presented in class, and has gained national recognition as a strong note-taking technique.

To start using this method, divide each page into three sections: a main note-taking section on the right side, a smaller cue column on the left and a summary section on the bottom. During the lecture itself, record notes in the note-taking area, using symbols, abbreviations, and short sentences whenever possible. Write down the most important pieces of information: the main ideas and key supporting details.

Within 24 hours of taking notes, and ideally as soon as possible, write down cues and questions in the left-hand column. Write a brief summary in the bottom section as well, no longer than seven sentences. Those cues provide an invaluable resource for going back and studying the notes later, and the summary forces you to synthesize information and prioritize the most important ideas.

The Cornell Method shines because it provides a built-in means to go back and study. Cover the notes themselves with your hand or a piece of paper and try to recall the information based only on the questions or cues you’ve written in the left-hand column. Reciting in this manner isn’t just a helpful memorizing tool; it’s a way to make sure you understand the significance of each fact.

Finally, spend a few moments reflecting on your notes, asking questions such as “Why is this important?” or “How does this connect with what I already know?” This last step takes note-taking beyond a tool for rote memorization and turns it into an opportunity to really internalize information.

The Cornell Method may have originally been developed for college students, but it has applications outside the classroom as well. The same note-taking technique works with any sort of media: books, videos, slideshows and more.

If all you need to do is memorize and regurgitate facts, there are more efficient methods than the Cornell Method. When it’s time to really analyze and synthesize information, though, the Cornell Method offers some unique tools and stands out among potential methods.

The Outline Method

Perhaps the most organized note-taking method of all is the venerable outline method. Dating all the way back to the thirteenth century, with predecessors going back much further, outlining is a careful, orderly way to arrange ideas in order of importance and flow. It’s one of the most commonly taught learning techniques in the Western world, and for good reason.

A classic outline uses a system of capital and lowercase letters and numbers to indicate the relative importance of different ideas. Start by labeling each major idea with a Roman numeral: I, II, III, and so on. Below each Roman numeral, label the main sub-points with capital letters, starting with A. Next up are Hindu-Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), then lowercase letters, indenting at each level. If you need even more sub-points, start using letters and numbers in parentheses.

The key to successful outlining is to leave a little extra space under each section heading. Not all sources of information are as well-organized as a good outline, after all. That extra space means you can go back and fill in more information if a lecturer later returns to the same subject, or if you notice something new when watching a video for the second time.

Because outlines lay out their information in a clear, orderly manner, it’s easy to use them as study tools. Many students use the outline to write a summary, which requires some analysis and synthesis of the information. If all you need to do is memorize, recite the outline line by line, filling in some questions or cue words off to the side if necessary.

Outlining can be an especially efficient note-taking method when your source of information is a carefully organized document such as a textbook. Most textbooks provide easy outlining methods through chapter titles, section headings, and paragraphs focused on one idea apiece, a structure that easily translates to an outline. Some electronic sources, such as government and educational websites, use an outline-like structure as well. Outlines also have a strong visual component, so they mesh well with certain learning styles.

Outlining can present problems, however, as it forces you to impose a structure on the material that may or may not actually be there. When dealing with free-flowing sources of information, making an outline is an exercise in frustration; it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. The structure of an outline can also be somewhat limiting because it’s harder to see connections between material in different sections.

Outlining, then, works particularly well when orderly learning is your top priority. If you’re dealing with disorganized information or need to make more abstract connections, seek another method.

The Charting Method

Creating a chart is another time-honored technique that helps to keep your notes clear and organized. By splitting your notes into labeled columns, you can cut down on repetition and make the entire process more efficient and productive.

Charting requires more preparation than most other study methods. First, divide your page into a number of columns; four is usually preferred, but certain subjects may require more or less. Label each column at the top of the page with an appropriate category. For instance, when listening to a history lecture, you might label your columns “Date,” “Important People,” “Major Events,” and “Overall Significance.”

You’ll get that preparation time back and then some when it’s time to actually listen to the lecture. Because you’ve already labeled each column, all you need to do is fill in information in the appropriate column. There’s no need to write, for instance, that World War Two was a major event; just list it in the “Major Events” column and you’re all set.

By reducing the amount of necessary writing, charting makes it easier to keep up with fast-paced lectures, presentations, and videos. It’s also easy to visualize the relationships between the pieces of information and understand the overall flow of data, especially if the information is organized chronologically. When it comes to memorizing facts, you can’t beat a chart.

The biggest difficulty faced with a chart is preparation time. You can’t really pull out a chart off the cuff, and you need some knowledge of the material beforehand to effectively label the columns. The organized structure of a chart can also be limiting, as you may encounter information that doesn’t really fit in any particular box. Be sure to keep a blank sheet of paper on hand just in case you need to jot something down.

If you’re wondering how to study faster, though, charting is one of the best methods there is. A good chart will give you a systematic, orderly overview of the material that will make it easier to study, memorize and retain information going forward.

The Sentence Method

Among the simplest learning techniques out there is the sentence method, which uses nothing more than the writing skills you learned in grade school. Note-taking in sentence form has several key disadvantages when compared to charts and outlines, but if you’re still learning how to take study notes, there’s no easier place to start.

To use the sentence method, all you need to do is copy everything down more or less verbatim. In order to keep up with fast-moving lectures, presentations, or videos, it’s best to use shorthand; abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols all work well. Every time your source moves on to a new idea, start a new line. It’s often wise to leave a little blank space after each line to go back and fill in additional information later.

In many ways, the sentence method is the reverse of the charting method. It requires no preparation and no foreknowledge of the subject matter. Sentence note-taking also has the advantage of thoroughness; unless you physically can’t keep up with the speaker, you’ll record every single piece of information. That means the sentence method is surprisingly useful when you’re faced with a “heavy” presentation where every last fact is important.

On the other hand, if your notes are in sentence form, you’ll need to spend some time immediately afterward converting them into something more useful. The sentence method doesn’t distinguish between major and minor points, nor does it give you any organization except for whatever structure came from the original source. At best, that means you have your notes organized in a manner that made sense to someone else, which may or may not work well for you.

If you’re learning from a resource that you can examine at your own pace, such as a textbook or a video that can be paused, it’s better to use an outline or chart to clearly organize the information. Using the sentence method means you may waste time taking notes twice: once to copy information out of the book and once to organize your notes into an outline. Save yourself the trouble and just make an outline!

If you’re faced with a fast-paced lecture, a live speech, or a streaming video, however, you may have no choice but to use the sentence method. If you’re still learning how to take notes, it’s a simple place to start. The sentence method is a great technique to have in your back pocket for those times when you don’t have enough time to prepare.

The Mind Mapping Method

If you’re a visually oriented person wondering how to study, you can’t beat the mind map. This unique method creates a graphic organizer that clearly shows the connections between ideas as they radiate out from a central core concept. British author Tony Buzan is widely credited as the originator of the term “mind map,” but the underlying principles go back much further. Philosophers were known to use similar techniques to visualize information as early as the third century.

The theory behind a mind map is that it uses the same basic architecture as your brain. Instead of starting at the top of the page, a mind map begins in the center, and ideas spread out from that central point in a logical manner. For each main point, draw a curved line spreading out from the central bubble labeled with a one- or two-word key phrase. As you gather additional information, branch out with thinner and thinner lines labeled with the finer details. Many mind mapping experts recommend using color and, if possible, images to make the map more interesting and thus easier to remember.

A mind map has many of the same benefits as an outline, as it shows orderly, logical relationships between ideas. However, while outlines are linear, mind maps are radial. That means there’s no need to slog back through your notes to find a key piece of information; just follow the branches of the map, and you’ll be there in no time.

Mind maps, though, tend to be fairly minimalist in terms of recording facts. They’re not efficient ways to record huge amounts of data, which means it’s best to have the original resource available for reference in case you need to look up something specific down the road. If you need to get every last detail from a particular lecture, try using the sentence or charting method first, then building a mind map based on your notes.

Because mind mapping has become something of a hot topic among purveyors of study tips and learning techniques, there are plenty of resources available to make the most of this method. If you need to learn a complex, multifaceted topic, you’d do well to invest in a dedicated mind mapping tool.

Note Taking Software

When individuals develop effective note taking strategies, they learn how to study better. They may then improve upon these skills by incorporating free note taking software and productivity tools. This elevates note taking to new levels by maximizing efficiency and saving time. Increasing efficiency is one of those important studying tips to help individuals realize how to learn faster by cultivating self-discipline and focus.

Since software options offer different benefits, understanding these choices enables users to select technology suitable for each project, purpose, platform, or preference. Below is a basic introduction to key programs that support the studying tips learned throughout this resource.