Is rewriting notes effective for studying?

Asked by: Ethelyn Feil  |  Last update: October 27, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (12 votes)

Rewriting your class notes also gives you the opportunity to improve their organization and to make them neater, thereby making your notes easier to study from. Further, rewriting your class notes reinforces the information so that you will remember it better.

Why is rewriting notes important?

You'll actively review your notes.

The whole point of taking notes is so you can use this information at a later point in time! Rewriting your notes gives your mind another chance to grasp information and process it, rather than just passively glancing through the material.

Is rewriting the best way to memorize?

Rewriting your notes is an excellent way to learn the material. There was an extensive study at Yale many years ago that concluded that rewriting notes while reading them aloud and watching the words as you write them was one of the best ways to remember something.

Should we rewrite notes?

Rewriting Notes

Repetition is valuable as a first step, but it's not that effective all alone. You should rewrite your notes in the shrinking outline method, but follow up with self-testing methods. Solution: Switch class notes with a classmate and create a practice exam from his/her notes.

Is it better to reread or take notes?

Rereading

However, research suggests that it isn't a productive nor efficient form of studying. Rereading is generally passive – the brain is most effective at retaining information when it is being actively used. Dunlosky and his colleagues concluded that rereading notes or textbooks has 'low utility'.

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44 related questions found

Is copying notes good revision?

Copying down information does not engage your brain and is not a strong strategy for learning and remembering content. It also takes a lot of time and energy. In contrast, simply highlighting loads of information is simpler but does not do much to actively engage the brain.

How to study effectively?

10 tips on how to study effectively
  1. Get organised.
  2. Don't skip class!
  3. Take notes.
  4. Talk to your teacher & ask questions.
  5. Space out your studying.
  6. Create a study plan – & stick to it.
  7. Don't just re-read but study.
  8. Set up a quiet study space.

Does taking notes improve grades?

Note taking forces you to pay attention and helps you focus in class (or while reading a textbook). It helps you learn. Studies on learning have shown that actively engaging with the topic by listening and then summarizing what you hear helps you understand and remember the information later.

How can I study fast without forgetting?

Simple memory tips and tricks
  1. Try to understand the information first. Information that is organized and makes sense to you is easier to memorize. ...
  2. Link it. ...
  3. Sleep on it. ...
  4. Self-test. ...
  5. Use distributed practice. ...
  6. Write it out. ...
  7. Create meaningful groups. ...
  8. Use mnemonics.

How many times should you repeat a memorization?

The more often you repeat it, the better you will remember it; repeated information will eventually be stored in your long-term memory. In summary: Repeat everything at least three times to store it in your long-term memory.

How can I study smarter not harder?

7 College Tips on How to Study Smarter Not Harder
  1. Pick up the reins of your education.
  2. Take old-fashioned notes.
  3. Cut down on busy-work.
  4. Do things while they are fresh on your mind.
  5. Take care of yourself physically.
  6. Know what study space works for you.
  7. Know your best studying time.

How can I study without rewriting?

You can make flashcards using Quizlet or a similar digital flashcard app/website or you can make handwritten ones. They can include key terms or important ideas which means you don't have to rewrite your notes in their entirety, just the important things. You can also teach the material to someone else.

What is an ideal study space?

A good study space has a few basic requirements. It needs a desk or table, a chair, access to power, an internet signal if required, and a good light source such as a desk lamp or well positioned ceiling lights. Your space should be cool or warm enough for your comfort as you study.

Why making your own revision notes?

To gain a better understanding of the concepts, the student should make revision notes. It allows them to translate concepts into their own words, making them easier to understand. It also allows you to avoid situations in which students don't understand a single word and read every single page.

How can I take notes and study smarter?

How do I take better notes?
  1. Repetition, repetition, repetition. ...
  2. Pictures are easier to remember than words so if you're short on time, draw an image.
  3. If you like to colour code, don't do it during initial note-taking.
  4. Write short, succinct sentences.
  5. Save time and use abbreviations and symbols.

Is it better to take notes by hand or computer?

For factual learning, taking notes on a laptop may be more beneficial – you can type faster and jot down only the most important details. As for conceptual learning, a 2014 research study is often cited as favoring paper notes, but most other research has shown that computers are better.

Does taking notes waste time?

Unless you have an efficient process for using your notes, taking them is probably a waste of time. They just pile up, like so much unwashed laundry. If you prefer handwritten notes, ask yourself how many stacks of paper you've accumulated that you never looked at again.

What is the fastest way to study?

But of course, there is always a way to make things better, and things would definitely change for you once you try these things out:
  1. Never Cram. ...
  2. Manage your time. ...
  3. Practice Interlinking Ideas. ...
  4. Make Diagrams. ...
  5. Set up your own Mnemonics. ...
  6. Learn to Visualize. ...
  7. Retell the Story. ...
  8. Take notes.

How to study like a Harvard student?

Top 10 Study Tips to Study Like a Harvard Student
  1. Don't Cram! ...
  2. Plan Ahead—and Stick To It! ...
  3. Ask for Help. ...
  4. Use the Buddy System. ...
  5. Find Your Learning Style. ...
  6. Take Breaks. ...
  7. Cultivate a Productive Space. ...
  8. Reward Yourself.

How can I focus and study harder?

How to be focused on studies
  1. Set up a study space. Having a dedicated desk or study area is key to success. ...
  2. Set a study routine. ...
  3. Set goals and rewards. ...
  4. Set a study schedule. ...
  5. Share your goals, rewards and schedule. ...
  6. Eliminate distractions. ...
  7. Downtime is also productive time. ...
  8. Sleep helps you learn.

Should I revise backwards?

Start revising early and create a revision timetable that works backwards from the day of your exam. This will ensure that you give yourself enough time to cover all the topics you need to in your revision and provide you time to write practice essays.

Is it cheating to use notes?

Examples of cheating include the following: Copying exams or assignments from others or allowing others to copy from your work. Using crib sheets, notes, books and other materials in exams when not authorized to use them.

What do good revision notes look like?

Break sections up with headings and use highlighters to draw attention to important information and key dates, equations and phrasing. Mind-maps: For students who already have a good baseline of knowledge about a particular subject or topic, then mind maps can be a visually-stimulating format for revision notes.

Is studying just reading notes?

Only 'doing' the readings for class is not studying. It is simply doing the reading for class. Re-reading leads to quick forgetting. Think of reading as an important part of pre-studying, but learning information requires actively engaging in the material (Edwards, 2014).