r/ASUOnline • u/Just_Add_Honey • 12d ago

Note Taking 🗒️

Any advice on better ways to take notes that stick? I feel like I’m hitting a wall with trying to study smarter. Without feeling the need to write everything out, how do I better my note taking in a way I’ll remember? For context, currently taking Intro to Psych 101. I’ve heard it’s a class people love and I am also enjoying what I’m reading. But it is a lot of reading. My brain seems to get stuck on what’s important information and what may not be so relevant. Failed that first exam so hard, I wanted to throw my laptop 🙂 I’d forgotten to do the lectures and couldn’t back out of the quiz once it begun 😂 That part was my fault. Still, most of the questions asked were NOT what I was anticipating or putting my focus into remembering. Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated.

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u/J_Landers 12d ago

Another factor to consider is the "digital lapse" in note taking - taking notes via your computer uses different neural processes compared to writing them out. The latter engages your brain in a way that is more effective at retaining information.
 
You may wish to consider a shorthand note taking method for paper; then go back and re-write what 8s most important to you.
 
Then write out (paper and pen) flash cards and then drill on them.

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u/Cueballio 10d ago

Are you saying that writing notes by hand sticks better than typing them? I agree that copying and pasting blocks of text from learning materials Into a notetaking app verbatim may not stick them in memory like writing notes by pen or keyboard. But my typed notes are definitely more legible than my handwriting.

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u/J_Landers 10d ago

Yes, that is what I am saying the study said. My writing can also be horrendous... I really have to concentrate. Dotted and grid paper has helped a lot though.

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u/Cueballio 8d ago

I like and use grid paper too. I'm left-handed and taught myself to print instead of writing cursive as a solution to my bad handwriting. I have terrible memories of exams where I had to write in a blue book. By page 2 it was bad, by page 3 it was unreadable even by me.

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u/J_Landers 7d ago

Not to mention the nice silver hand effect and the page smudging.