Your Notes Aren't Helping You Learn. Here's Why., by Odysseas on YouTube. 20 min 12 s.
- Video length
- 20 min 12 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes per chapter
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Decide what the notes are for before you write a word. If it is an exam, aim for recall. If it is an essay, aim for arguments and quotes you can reuse.
Match the note style to the material. Use full sentences for arguments and causes, bullet points for lists of facts, and a quick diagram for processes.
Read a whole section first without writing. Then close the book and write the main idea from memory in your own words, checking back only to fix errors.
Cut your sources. Work from the assigned textbook chapter plus one trusted explainer instead of collecting books and articles you never finish.
After each session, delete or archive notes you have already absorbed. Keep only what still needs work so the pile stays small enough to review.
Keep one notebook or folder per course. Date each entry, add the chapter and page numbers, and give every page a short title.
Set a revision rhythm. Reread and self-test your notes one day later, then one week later, then one month later, covering the page and recalling out loud.
Leave a margin or a blank box for your own questions, doubts and connections. Fill it after the reading, not during it.
Tips and common mistakes
Writing notes is not studying. If you never test yourself from them, you are mostly copying.
Shorter is better. Aim to shrink each chapter to one page before the next revision round.
Use your own words. Copying sentences from the book feels productive but skips the thinking.
If a page of notes has not been opened in a month, either schedule it or throw it out.
Questions
How many notes should one chapter produce?
About one page for a typical chapter, or one index card per major idea. If it is much longer, you are copying rather than summarising.
Should I type or handwrite my notes?
Either works. Handwriting slows you down and pushes you to paraphrase, while typing is faster to search and reorganise later.
Do I need to rewrite my notes to make them neater?
No. Rewriting is only worth it if you add something new, like a summary, a question or a link to another topic.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
