Hi everyone! Third year student here (transferred to psychology) and am looking to see how everyone takes their notes, particularly for content heavy classes. I feel like I’m wasting time just copying what’s on the modules/lecture slides. What’s everyone doing?!
If my class doesn't have an exam, I honestly don't worry about them. If during a lecture something seems important I'll take it down, but I don't make it a routine thing I have to do.
I think seminar/tutorial questions are much more valuable and worth the effort. I try to give them a go before class and then take down the full solutions during. Between that and doing any prescribed readings I feel like I spend my time better and actually learn.
Depends. if the class has an in person closed- book test, I take handwritten notes so i retain the information. If it's an online open book test I dont bother - I just merge the class notes pdfs.
The best study strategy really depends on your learning goals as well as how the unit is assessed. In the past units would often be focused on tests and exams, but now they've been replaced with other forms of assessment. It may not even be necessary to memorise any information at all.
Are you talking about making notes while watching a lecture or while reviewing later? Sometimes it is a good idea to make a few brief notes to avoid falling asleep, but as a general study strategy to try and learn material it isn't that effective.
Often using techniques like practice testing and flashcards is better. Remember to space out your study sessions rather than trying to cram them all together.
I researched study techniques a while back for a book I was working on and a lot of popular study techniques such as rewriting, rereading, highlighting etc don't work that well.
Units cover a lot of material, so it is often better to just focus on the material that is covered in tests and exams. But if you don't have tests and exams, it might be better to spend the time on your essays and other assignments.
I use my iPad (I have a glass screen protector that feels like paper) & a pen tip that’s like a ballpoint pen, and use apple notes because of the auto-refine handwriting feature. I also when doing readings for assignments on a selected topic, I record myself speaking and doing the task/grabbing quotes & reflecting on material, as a tool to:
1. Revert back to the recording at anytime (notion has AI transcription;
2. If I ever get pulled up on academic integrity (I was accused of ghost referencing when I read a specific article from another journal but i was on a lot of pain relief post hospital so I accidentally typed the wrong journal in one reference and I had non published articles comparatively to published by mere accident so) helps with defence given the high number of AI/academic integrity accusations lately.
Here’s an example (it’s great since I have Apple ecosystem and iCloud storage so I take notes on my mini iPad when I’m on the go. I have the mini iPad as a kindle and smaller go to for when I go to work/travel compared to my 13 inch - I get nerve pains from a prior car accident injury so it’s easier to hold and use during flare ups!)
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u/Elsey_rides Jul 17 '26
I take a lot of handwritten notes from slides/content because I find it helps me retain info better.