A simple guide to writing notes
Many of us are guilty of spending hours scrolling through other people’s beautiful notes wishing we had their handwriting, their pens, or their talent. But did you know creating clean, aesthetic and creative notes doesn’t have to take forever?
Students are busy people, and note-taking is not a very efficient revision method. Few Studyblrs actually spend hours just taking notes.
How? Below I outline how to write and study Tumblr-worthy notes quickly and efficiently:
Get a pen that works for you: it’ll make a huge difference. If you have cursive handwriting, a thin pen would be best. If you have thick, bubbly handwriting, a larger pen will suit. Make sure it’s comfortable as you’ll be writing a lot
Make your handwriting legible: trust me, it makes a difference. Practice is good but most importantly, take your time. When you’re re-reading your notes you want them to be as easy to understand as possible
Use the right paper: figure out what type of paper you like, whether thick, thin, graph or lined, etc.
Add doodles & decorations: experiment with different simple drawings, colour schemes, banners, stickers, washi tape, sticky notes, pens… the possibilities are endless! Make your notes your own!
Try different formats: see if you like two or three columns, boxes of information, splitting your page in half, gluing sticky notes or other non-traditional note taking formats. It’ll make them unique.
Use the Cornell method: testing yourself is the best way to learn
Don’t obsess: don’t spend hours on any single page, don’t restart if you make a simple mistake. I promise you people won’t notice. Use whiteout or cover it up with a cute sticker or note.
Type your notes: it’s faster, but be aware that some people find this distracting. Research shows you absorb less information if you type your notes.
Don’t take down everything: Only information you need to remember and key points.
How to actually study them:
Have motivational quotes throughout: it’s cute, and a small boost as you go.
Reward yourself: stick some candy (the ones with wrappers of course!) or a cute pen every 20 pages or so. That way you will have something to look forward to.
Be organised and have a plan: at the end of the day it comes down to discipline, whether with a to-do list or a bullet journal, have a plan and try your best to stick to it.
Something is better than nothing: force yourself to do at least 10 minutes of study every day. Usually, this is enough to get you in the zone and you will continue. If not, you’ve done 10 minutes more than you would’ve otherwise.
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