Be Better For Yourself

Note-Taking

Hey guys! So I’ve been receiving questions regarding my note-taking style and strategy for quite some time now but I believe I have never answered them in detail. The good news is, I finally decided to make a post about this (plus, I had fun making the graphics :D). Note that I am a visual learner, so my note-taking methods may not be effective for some of you, but I hope you can all learn something.

Class Notes

I only use one notebook for all my class notes, an A4 grid notebook whose pages I divide into two columns.

I use the outline method for in-class notes, which means I write information chronologically, in the order that they are taught. Some teachers do not have properly structured presentations/lessons (good thing my physics teacher does) so when in need, I use arrows to connect related information.

Abbreviations to me are one of the most important things to master when taking notes. I personally make them up as I go along. Some examples of abbreviations I use are:

w/c - which

w/ - with

cpd - compound

envt - environment

digenz - digestive enzyme

It might be confusing, but to me, knowing the context and part of speech are enough for all abbreviations to be comprehended.

Here’s an example: ‘Indonesia’s tsunami pre-warning system is made up of two types of components’ could become ‘Indo’s snmi pre-warn sys 2 type comp’.

After Class

The first thing I would do is highlight keywords and terminology (and sometimes formulas). For physics, since my teacher is relatively succinct, I don’t really highlight, but for humanities and biology, I look for words that would be expected by a mark scheme, words that are crucial to the understanding of each particular piece of information.

I would then check if the material taught coincides with the syllabus, and if not, note down any points that are missing or have yet to be taught. You could write these on a post it or on the syllabus itself, but I prefer to highlight the syllabus’ pdf file.

Rewritten Notes

My rewritten notes are arranged based on the order they appear in the syllabus unless there are pieces of information that are related to more than one topic.

I use a black pen for rewriting notes as well as colored pens to write keywords and terminology only. I know some people who write whole sentences in colored pens but to me that is ineffective; we all have our own learning styles. When making tables, I usually use different colors for different columns (see the table for different types of radiation above) which is most often the color I associate with each word. For example, water would be blue, ocean would be a darker shade, ice would be a lighter shade, and water vapor would be purple.

I still abbreviate words in my rewritten notes, but they’re not as condensed as the ones in my class notes. Another thing I find helpful is leaving a bit of space between separate points especially if the page doesn’t have a lot of diagrams. I can’t think linearly, so I can’t remember super lengthy bullet points.

I use mildliners and a drawing pen to make my diagrams (more of these in my biology notes) but I only start with pencil if it’s a complex diagram. I rarely highlight my rewritten notes, but even if I do, it’s usually only the headings and formulas.

I don’t have a rough draft for my notes, but I try to visualize the layout. I try to alternate between words and pictures/diagrams so that when I’m sitting for an exam, all I have to do is imagine that I’m looking at that page and I can remember where everything is.

Well, that’s all from me. I hope that this information could be of some use to every single one of you. Don’t hesitate to ask me questions if you’re confused about note-taking or any other problems you might have :)

a list of calming + fun websites :)

for when you’re sad, nervous, upset, angry, bored, or anything in between!!

calm.com- exactly what it sounds like

thequietplaceproject- a 30 second relaxation technique

donothingfortwominutes- just do it

headspace- meditation exercises

simplynoise- soothing noise generator

the thoughts room- watch your worries float away

flow- a rlly calming game w a great sountrack

neonflames- make your own nebula!! seriously amazing :))

calming manatee- the sweetest animal ever

looking at something- control the weather !!

rainymood- rain makes everything better

silk- words cannot describe how much i love this website

the nicest places on the internet- makes me feel better every time

casnova- who doesn’t love kissing giraffes??

givesmehope- provides notes saying what gives people hope :)

soundrown- mix audio elements to create your own calming soundtrack

liquidparticles- tiny particles that are totally attracted to your mouse

infinitetime- infinite possibilities with this game

tonematrix- make your own music!!

dailyoddcompliment- exactly what it looks like

stress analyst- for when you’re just really stressed out

make everything ok- you can do it.

thisissand- make your own sand art!!

traveltheworld- actually so so cool

whoisthecutest- :))

the dawn room- i love this so much please check it out

poptropica- i. love. this. game.

justcuteanimals- because why not

line3d- travel along a 3d line into the unknown 

Handwritten with the iPad Pro and my trusty apple pencil 📚✨

Hey, sorry if you've already been asked this but what is the app you use for the black on white clock on your Mac? I only know of Fliqlo and Momentum. This one looks even more lovely!

hey hey hey! it's called a Padbury clock!! the version I downloaded (Padbury.me) is only for Macs, but there could be a version compatible for other operating systems as well that I don't know about :)

the thing that really worked about harry, hermione, and ron was that they were all the uncomfortable third friend

{02/06/16 4:45 pm}

hello, friends!! sorry it’s been so long, I’ve been loaded with schoolwork.

I hope the ACT went well for anybody that took it! just remember - standardized test scores do not define you. it’s something I’m working on myself :)

ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

writing adult emails is awful

its like

hi [name of person], 

this formatting is making me uncomfortable but I have to tell you something / ask you something that is vital to my career as a student. 

I re-read and edited that sentence for an hour, but you’ll probably just glance over it for half a second.

thanks! 

- [name]

September habit tracker ft. my new Kanken 💛

05.08.16 // Here’s a glimpse of my notes on the blood system from IB Biology. Loving the topic human physiology!