How To Take Amazing Notes

 

Image thanks to cherubchan

It's only after doing the first year at university that I can now reflect on my performance and analyse. I have to say that note taking has been one of my strong points as I always try and get the important stuff down during boring lectures and I thought I would share some ideas with you! Picture this:

You are sat at the back of a lecture hall which is about a subject you don't particularly like the sound of with only a pad and pen. You notice some people have laptops with them and during this, your lecturer starts talking and you miss the very first thing he says. Because of this you have to scramble about getting the page ready and try to get down as much as possible. The lecturer is obviously talking way too fast though (as most of them do) and don't even acknowledge the fact everyone is scribbling at high speed and doesn't slow down. By the end of the lecture you've made notes on the things you thought were important but got a little bored and slowed down towards the end. Time to head home!

What can you see that's wrong??

To be honest, sometimes it's very difficult to stay up to speed when lecturers are just talking away with a power point slide show up so something is bound to suffer. However there are some things you can do to prevent forgetting/losing important bits during note taking which I hope you find useful!


1. Prepare before lecture.

Since starting university last year, most of the lecture notes have been posted on the internet to be printed beforehand or just to get a grip with what was going to be said. Find time to read or print these so you get a feel for the coming lecture. Highlight certain parts you think are important or even read up on these so you have a better understanding.

2. Make sure your attitude is right for note taking!

Listen to what is being said and pay attention. Sitting close to the front allows you to see everything clearly and stops any distractions.

3. In lecture: don't write down every single word.

By doing this you will only slow yourself down more and miss things later. One way I found useful was to abbreviate certain words which I knew I would remember. Highlight or underline bits you don't understand or aren't sure of to research later and make a note of this in your diary.

4. Try to use your own words when making notes.

This helps you to get a grip with the information and will mean you aren't copying information when it comes to the exam and prevents plagiarism. You are also more likely to understand it if you put it into your own words as copying isn't always the best way to learn.

5. Note the style of the lecture.

All your different lecturers will no doubt have different styles when presenting so it's best to know how they do it to make the most of it. Whether they present unsing powerpoint or just talk at you, make a note of how it's present it as a basis for your notes and organise them accordingly.

6. Make a note of any important websites/books/articles.

By doing this it gives you a whole host of sources of information which you may need when it comes to writing an assignment/revision of exams and will help you no end. Most of my lecturers gave a reference list at the end of their lectures and I used these to research topics I wasn't so sure on.

7. Organise your notes after lecture.

Make a note of the title and date on every single sheet so you can organise your notes as a sort of timeline. It's also best to go to the library and type your notes up so they are fresh in your mind and add any extra information you may want. Research the bits you weren't sure of and add this in now. It also helps to read through everything you took down in the next 24 hours as it has been proven you remember your notes better if read in this time frame.

I hope this has been useful! What are your ideas for writing better notes? Any horror stories?

My New Super High Tech Laptop!

Okay so over the past few days I've been wanting a new laptop really badly. Don't ask me why. But I've had a nightmare getting hold of the one I actually really wanted after being let down so many times by Argos. Whenever I found a really good one, it was out of stock and were no longer stocking them! But last night I searched and searched and eventually found my laptop.

THE laptop for me. MY BABY.

This morning I got up super early and headed down to Argos and here we are, I am officially blogging from my new laptop! Here are some piccys:

The outer box - man I was excited at this stage....

The front - it has a sorta metal grilling effect which I wasn't expecting but hey, at least it won't scratch!

Sparkly!

I may be over reacting but I am a very excitable person haha.

It's That Time Of Year Again Academically....

Image thanks to -Snugg-

Well I'm still feeling bad about neglecting my blog over the last few weeks but university has also been a pretty much permanent fixture in my mind and the fact it's not even very far away any more. It's coming up to the end of August, the time when we are all starting to think about university again after enjoying all this time off. We have to make decisions about which modules we want to take and how out timetable will look. We have to think about work and what this will mean in the second/third year. We will also be thinking about socialising and how important this is regardless of the fact we are at university! 


Thus, August/September can be a mind draining time  as I'm sure you'll agree. 


Well, that's why I decided to make a list of everything that needs to be thought about before starting the new/second/third year at university and why. Because not only will this help me organise my mind, it might help you too.

First up is moving into your new house/back into halls or commuting. By now you all would have thought about this and made a decision on which is best for you. If you are moving into halls or living in a shared house with friends, be careful what you pack. If some of you are on your second year now as I am, you know full well that what you packed last year was  mostly junk and had to buy mostly new things (or maybe not but that's what happened to me!). So remember to pack essentials and not stuff that is just going to clog up the car and make unpacking longer. 


Speak to your new house mates (if you're going to be in a house with mates), as there is no point buying 5 kettles/toasters etc. when you could all save money and put a little kitty together for all of these things. 


If you have decided to commute it, make sure your incomings and outgoings are all planned. The majority of people who decide to commute chose this option to save money as I did this year, but there's no point if it doesn't save you any money in the long run.  Remember to make a plan of all your outgoings and incomings for this as I went over last year in my money guide for university.

Next thing to think about is stationary. I admtted earlier that I am a bit of a stationary freak and absolutely love buying new stuff. Maybe you don't need any extra but it is worth going back and organising all your notes ready for the new year. Get some new folders, clips, paper, a new diary, etc. ready for the new academic year and you'll be well ahead! By doing this you are preparing yourself ready for getting back into study and will be ready for anything when you start.


Need some help? Why not have a look at:


Surviving College: Kick start your study habits
Every College Girl: Back to school: getting & staying organised

Now, I don't know about you but thinking through all of this sorta stuff does kind of depress me. It's knowing that just around the corner is more assignments, essays, project work even when you really don't feel like it. For some good advice, check out CollegeView's guide on beating back to school blues. Don't forget about your friends either. Maybe make time to meet up with all your old mates from last year and it might help you relax a little bit for the academic year. Also, you might not realise it now but further down the line, you may need your friends for some help on a certain bit or work, group work or anything like that so it does pay off to stay close to your friends regardless.

Money is going to be a big worry for all of us, especially when circumstances change from last year. If it's your first year, then check out my guide on money issues, but if not, then you probably know a bit on organising your money this time round. However, it still helps to plan things out, like when your grants and bursaries will hit your account, your pay days from work etc. make a note of every single one in your diary so you know exactly what is going on this year. When it comes to money it really doesn't help to be un-organised. I've found a few useful websites on organising your money which may be of use:


50 smart and easy ways to save money in college
Beyond the cafeteria: Find fun and educational jobs on campus
The balancing act of a part-time job and a full-time student
6 tips on what to look for in a college job

Remember to balance university/social and work life well. You don't want any of these to suffer but learning to balance these will help you no end. If you do find yourself falling behind, stop and think for a second. Figure out why it is you are falling behind and why. Maybe write it all down or brainstorm to plan your mind out and figure out ways to resolve these conflicts. If it means staying in one night rather than going out then so be it - there will always be plenty more nights out.

If like me you're in your second year, you may also be thinking about the future and what's next. The better prepared you are, the better start you will have - so thinking about it now will put you in good stead. Mostly, these are the three main choices after finishing university:


1. Further study
2. Full time work
3. Gap year


Each one has it's pro's and con's and if you aren't sure right now, write these down and think about them. Research your options on the internet, at your careers advice at uni, with friends and family, and so on. But remember - it doesn't matter if you have no idea what you want to do. You still have time to think and who knows, maybe you next modules will show you.

Finally, for a few more tips for uni, I have found an amazing list of over 100 tips for survival at college/university which is definitely worth looking at.


Good luck!

Moreishness #19

Image thanks to harrykeely

Another week, another Moreishness!


Well, it's not long until the new academic year starts and I bet you've got a lot on your mind, as I know I have. So, I thought I would make this an academic/university special as I've been browsing the internet this week and most of it was surrounding this. Enjoy!


Looking for somewhere to live? Or maybe need advice for living with friends for the first time? Have a read of the house sharing survival guide.


Also take a look at spareroom.co.uk - a very good search tool for looking for a house/flat share or lodgings.


The Glamorous Grad Student also has a great article on finding a place to live here.


Thinking about your future? Networking is a great way to find out about new jobs or expand your business further down the line. Learn how to network effectively here! I promise you the benefits are endless.


More Magic Always gives a good guide on back to school shopping: wardrobe taming, inventory, & appraisal. 


I absolutely love the ideas over at College Candy with 10 essential dorm items (That you probably don't think of). Very good advice!


Zen Habits shows you How to be insanely productive and still keep smiling - handy for when your thinking all this work is so not worth it.


Hope you enjoyed anther Moreishness! I am definitely looking forward to getting back into the swing of things at uni and seeing all my friends again! Let me know what you think.

Craving Motivation?

Image thanks to vxdigital

Today I found myself feeling really bad about neglecting my blog and letting all of you who read it down and I want to make it up to all of you. Recently I've had no motivation at all and I thought, "why the hell am I acting like this?" And I hate making excuses as well! 


So this is my mid year resolution! I'm going to get back into my blog and not neglect it. Although I've been putting a lot of effort into my work experience and personal life, which are both really important to me, I miss being able to blog and express myself! So this is me telling myself (and everyone who is reading this) that I am going to get back into the swing of things and get back into the frame of mind.


Sometimes though getting motivated is a lot harder than it seems and don't I know it.


Generally, if there is something you hate doing, you're less likely to want to do it. And if you enjoy it then you're more likely to want to do it. Also, I find that the longer things are put off, the harder it is to get motivated. So sorting that letter out, getting out and getting a job, etc. is better not left till the very last minute. But how do you go about this? 


Figure out when you're in the best frame of mind to do that certain thing. For example, studying needs major motivation sometimes from me and I find that I'm more motivated in the evening and definitely not the morning. But you might find that evenings are the time when you feel relaxed and have no push at all and so mornings might be best for you. Once you've realised when the best time is, maybe make a timetable if it's something that requires regular attention. Put the timetable somewhere which you see every day, on your fridge, at your computer desk, even in the bathroom. Putting it somewhere like that will remind you every day what it is you are working towards or what it is that needs sorting. Have a think whether a timetable would suit the way you are however, as some people don't work will under rigid rules and will only make you want to rebel! 


Sometimes I find that writing your goals down helps so much more. I write my goals on my blog and find it helps sort my brain out and organise myself so why not try this? Give yourself a time limit too, and don't make the goals too far flung. Maybe even set alerts on your mobile or work calendar to remind yourself! If you want further info, have a read of this: Characteristics of effective gaols which has some helpful ideas to think about when setting yourself goals. 


Break your big goals into little, more manageable goals. Think about your big goals for example: Get A grades on my assignments, but this really doesn't help you achieving this. Think about how you are going to achieve this goal, for example: Create timetable to follow and get help with anything I don't understand. These seem less intimating and you are probably more likely to follow these.


Remember not to push yourself too far. Goals are a good thing but sometimes you really can over-do yourself by working too hard. When I started my first year at university I was struggling to balance work, personal and academic life and one of those was sacrificed, mostly academically as I found my grades weren't as good as hoped. This year however I've learnt from my mistakes and have started to plan ahead and will not be pushing myself like I was before. Always remember you need time to relax, go shopping, see friends etc. and planning ahead will help this.


Get help if you need it. The last thing you want to do is set yourself all these goals and feel like you are out of your depth. Getting help from family, friends, etc. really does work wonders - I know from personal experience. Speak to people, discuss your goals, even involve them in the things you're doing and it really will help. Not only does an extra person motivate you to keep going, but you will spur each other on and reach your goal quicker.


If friends or family aren't available, why not search the internet for like-minded forums and join in, especially if it's a long term goal like losing weight or exercising. My mum regularly uses forums for advice and information which she might not have got from me or friends. 


Need some further advice? Zen habits shows you how to get off your butt, or getting motivated when your down. Check out getting motivated with your to-do list using programs that may help you.


I hope this has helped you to motivate yourself, let me know your ways you get yourself motivated as I would love to hear them!

Sorry!!

Hello everyone!


Sorry for the lack of posts recently - I have just come back from Turkey and was mad busy beforehand so didn't get a chance to post anything. But, there will be photos to follow soon - if you're planning on going to Turkey stick around for my post!


It was amazing over there and extremely hot, post will follow tomorrow.


xxxx

Moreishness #18

Image thanks to RickyDavid

Moreishness Number 18 already! And 10 days until I go away on holiday! Sooooo excited :D


Here are some fun links, check them out :-




Advice on your own bar here - Stocking a Bar - The $100 Bar


College Myths Debunked: My Professor is Late! Should I Wait? The question I always ask myself when they are late!


Even though it's summer we still get those rainy days! Find out 11 Things to do on a Rainy Day.


Why You Should + How To Get a Better Night's Sleep - Self explanatory!

Let me know what you think! I do love browsing through all these amazing blogs.