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Mathscienceknowledge
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Often when I take notes it seems mindless. I put down an equation and there is all this text. There is often all this text which I can't tell what is useful or useless. Can someone give me some advice?
Drakkith said:remember that you're not really supposed to understand your notes right after your write them down
Vanadium 50 said:I agree with much of what is written, but this, not so much. You should be writing down what you understand. If you don't understand what is being said, raise your hand and ask. Don't just write something down and hope you can figure it out later.
At least for me, it was always very hard to do both things at once:Mathscienceknowledge said:Often when I take notes it seems mindless. I put down an equation and there is all this text. There is often all this text which I can't tell what is useful or useless. Can someone give me some advice?
Mayhem said:Controversial take: I think notetaking is extremely overrated. Often times, you are better off simply focusing on what the lecturer is telling you. True understanding comes through solving problems and asking questions.
This is some kind of fantasy. You ask "what if x=6" get a round of applause and a noble prize. Many of my instructors had a no questions asked or answered policy. I don't agree with that, but I can see why they did it. Most questions and answers in lecture are a waste of time for most students. A class of 50 can waste much time and a class of 500 even more.Vanadium 50 said:You should be writing down what you understand. If you don't understand what is being said, raise your hand and ask. Don't just write something down and hope you can figure it out later.
I will grant that sometimes excessive focus on note taking can be distracting. If you do not take notes you will forget all the things you focused on. The act of taking notes can help you remember. You can look at the notes later. Often the most valuable notes one takes are their own thoughts and questions which you cannot lookup later when you forget them.Mayhem said:Controversial take: I think notetaking is extremely overrated. Often times, you are better off simply focusing on what the lecturer is telling you. True understanding comes through solving problems and asking questions.
To make your note-taking more effective, try to actively engage with the material as you take notes. This can include summarizing key points, asking questions, and making connections to your own experiences or prior knowledge. Additionally, use a note-taking method that works best for you, whether it's bullet points, diagrams, or Cornell notes.
If you find yourself mindlessly copying down information, take a step back and try to understand the material. Ask yourself why the information is important and how it relates to the overall topic. This will help you focus on the key points and prevent you from mindlessly copying down unnecessary information.
To stay organized while taking notes, use headings and subheadings to break up the information into smaller, more manageable sections. You can also use color-coding or different symbols to differentiate between main ideas and supporting details. Additionally, make sure to date your notes and keep them in a designated folder or notebook.
There is no one correct answer to this question, as it ultimately depends on personal preference and the type of material being presented. Some people find that taking notes by hand helps them better retain information, while others prefer the speed and organization of typing on a computer. Experiment with both methods and see which works best for you.
To effectively review your notes, try to condense them into shorter, more concise summaries. This will help you focus on the most important information and make connections between different concepts. Additionally, try to review your notes regularly, rather than waiting until right before a test or exam. This will help reinforce the material and prevent you from forgetting important information.