does anyone have any ideas on how to study better and take better notes??

Question

i always take notes and read the textbook sometimes but i still cant score high on test. any thoughts?

Answer 1

Here are some important tips I learned while in college:

An enormous amount of studying consists of reading and reading comprehension. A key element in reading effectively is to clear the mind of all distractions. You should look at the title of the passage, look at any subheadings, study any diagrams and illustrations, and quickly skim over the passage before reading it in its entirety. After reading the passage, ask yourself three questions:

1. What is the main idea of the passage?
2. What kind of writing is the passage?
3. What was the author's purpose for writing the passage?


For note-taking, take an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper and divide it into two columns. The left column should be about 2 1/2 inches wide and the right column about 6 inches wide. Use the 6-inch column for lecture notes and the smaller column for related reading and textbook notes or other pertinent information. Listen carefully to the instructor, attempting to identify key words and transitional words, such as "therefore", "finally" and "furthermore." These words usually signal an important idea. After class, revise your notes as soon as possible, coordinating textbook notes with lecture notes. Review your notes at least once a week and always review previous lecture notes before the next lecture.


Effective study skills are important. Estimate the study time needed for each class (usually two hours of study time for every one hour of class). Study when you're most alert and study the most difficult subjects first. Don't over study and take control of your study environment. Studying in a comfortable, familiar place makes it more enjoyable. Also, remove all distractions by taking the phone off the hook, turning off the television and radio, and blocking out family and friends.


A few basic test-taking skills can make you feel more confident in your ability to pass. Always be prepared and have a pen and pencil handy. Read directions carefully and skim over the test before beginning. Answer the questions you know first and then go back to the others. Most importantly, use all of the time allotted for the test and review your answers thoroughly.

Answer 2

Most testing requires good memorization skills. WIth memorization, the key is repetition. It's important to be within a constant environment with you are comfortable. So, if you're accustomed to doing work with music, then do it, but make sure the focus is on the studying.

However old-fashioned, my education can be attributed to 3x5" cardboard notecards available at any drugstore or office supply store. Using note cards for memorization is easy, a one-word concept on one side, as much info on the other. I would set them up in piles of 10 and go through each set of 10 until I reached mastery. Once I felt comfortable with the 10 as is, I would shuffle the 10 within the set and learn it in that manner. Once I felt comfortable with that complete set of 10, I would shuffle all of the cards as such.

I know this sounds like an extremely long & drawn out process. It is. Only you know what it takes for you to achieve what you want. If you want the top score, YOU have to be responsible for it and prepare as such. Not what others consider. I know this is tough to consider in the times of peer pressure which happens at every level of education even with the highest PhDs.

The process of physically re-writing the notes to notecards is one process. The second step is memorizing the cards in a particular order. The key is to make each notecard an independant thought completely - thus shuffling the cards is important. Unlike your notes which are already written down, you do not have this option to rearrange your notes as such. The note cards also isolate particular items which you are having a problem with. In an example of 120 notecards, for some reason you will have problems on three or four of them. You can drill yourself to the fullest on these.

Answer 3

Make sure that you understand what you are reading, there are many different study tools out there, you may need a tutor, or it might help to join a study group, if neither of these are available check out some books on study guides, try to find the best that helps you personally.

Answer 4

by taking notes you mean in class?if yes then that is usually not enough you have to go home on the day you learn the subject and read through what you learnt to keep it in..and some people, dont know about you, tend to copy notes blindly as you copy you must absorb the contents that you have written..
make sure your environment is condusive for studying too for instance good lighting..

Answer 5

ive always done better on tests by making flashcards on everything i need to know. what also helpls is to work in a study group and compare notes with one another. try helping a peer, because while you are teaching the material to someone else, it helps you to retain it better as a result.

Answer 6

For studying better, there must be motivation. N for taking better notes:"Practice makes one perfect" and interest in the lecturer's topic is also a must.

Answer 7

Put everything you need to know on one sheet of paper. Then memorize this. While taking a test you can visualize the paper and know what the answers are.

A friend of mine with two Master's did this. It worked for her, might work for you.

Best of luck.

Answer 8

all people are different from each other. we do have different levels of intelligence. but if you hardly get high grades on the subjects you are studying, meaning, it is not the right interest for you to study.
there are people who are really good in math but when it comes to language they can't afford to get high grades. there are also people who are good in arts but can hardly get high grades in economics.
well, we just do have our own strengths on different fields.

Answer 9

Put your notes under your pillow at night after studying them. You'll subconsciously think over them while you lie in bed since you're aware of their presence.

Answer 10

read you noted over every day when u learn that the test is coming......and listen to what the teacher ahs to say!! hope i help