I need help with note taking

I take all of my course notes on my laptop. I keep things very abbreviated in a way that I understand. I still do a lot of note cards, and yes, they're time consuming, but they work for me. I can't do them on everything, and don't even always have time to review them all, but for me, the process of making them is a big part of learning.

I rarely use highlighters, except to maybe differentiate one or two key words here and there, or even just underline words with the highlighter. I never understood the point of highlighting entire pages or even paragraphs. Too much!!! I will color code things, which just helps me to stay organized. I'll get multi colored note cards, and assign each class or text a color for the semester.

Good day:

]Here are some links that may be useful in terms of improving overall study skills, taking notes, reading text books, etc.

Note Taking Systems - Academic Skills Center: Study Skills Library - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Cornell Notetaking System Explained--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Google Image Result for http://kenpitts.net/images/cornell_note_how_to.jpg

The SQ3R Reading Method

Time management

Reading University Level Materials--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read Effectively in the Sciences--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Read and Study Medical Texts--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

More About Effective Textbook Study--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

An Effective Textbook Study Strategy--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

How to Mark a Section of a Textbook Chapter--Textbook Study Strategy--Academic Support

Thank you.

When I was in the nursing program normally I would bring my laptop to type up the power points and paper/pencil for diagrams. Writing out flashcards can be consuming so I would type those out too and print them out.

I am one of those people who would never, ever remember what I typed...I have to write it all out. I do highlight my texts and I use yellow for key vocab terms, green for meds, pink for labs, orange for other important stuff, and blue for the holy-cow-make-sure-you-never-ever-forget-this stuff. I transfer those same colors to my written notes. I read a chunk, then go back and do notes on it. Disease processes I use concept maps (I know people hate them but I adore concept maps lol). That way on one page I have the A&P involved, the s/sx, risk factors/causes, labs, diagnostics, and treatments (including meds). If there are a bunch of disease processes within a big process (like leukemia types) I do a chart so I can see the differences/similarities. It took me a while to find the right way for me to study and get the info together, and this is what works for me...it doesn't work for everyone. I was a big flash card person before, but I found out that I'd make the cards and never get back to them, so I quit doing that. It was a waste of time for me. Flash cards work for a lot of people, I'm not one of them. The other advantage to my note taking is that I can fold them in half and stuff them in my purse and if I have a few minutes here or there to review them, I have all the info there. Good luck finding your "style"!! :)

I love flashcards and will often keep a stack of notecards on my desk while taking notes amd make them as I take notes in lecture. Its a little frenetic, but it's efficient. If there's a term or concept I don't know, or need to remember, ill make a quick card and then go back to taking notes. I take notes in several colors, and partition thjngs into boxes, or draw doodles, whatever is giong to help me link to that info. I never hilite my books. Mom said never write in a book! I can't bring myself to do it.

thank you so much for all your tips and advice!