Tips For Rewriting Your Lecture Notes

Its hard to believe that the fall semester is almost over. In just a few short weeks, finals will be upon us.
In preparation, I would like to share with you the benefits of rewriting your lecture notes and a few tips.

I find that rewriting my notes is a great study strategy that helps me remember more material and gain a better understanding. I find this especially useful for courses that require you to know a lot of details. While it can be time consuming, I believe it is time well spent.

When:

 As soon as possible! Don't wait until chapters have accumulated. Instead, rewrite notes the same day, while the lecture is still fresh in your mind. This way, you will easily be able to elaborate on concepts that you skimped on for the sake of keeping up.

When rewriting notes soon after lecture, you will also find that you can more readily make connections within the material. Be sure to jot down these connections in your notes. Remember, concepts in a subject all relate to another in some way. Being able to make the connection will help you better understand the material.

Why:  

Organization. Sometimes professors skip around, especially if students asked questions or asked for clarification. By rewriting, you will be able to organize your notes.

Better readability. During lecture, you're likely writing quickly and sloppy. While this helps ensure you capture as much info as possible, it also tends to make your notes difficult to read.

Revision. Sometimes all you get down is one word before the professor is onto the next subject, while other times you have included too much irrelevant information. By rewriting notes, you can address both these issues.

Combine lecture notes with textbook notes. This way all relevant information is in one place and all tied together.

A study mechanism. Studies have shown that writing information down helps you remember it. By rewriting your notes, you are helping to ingrain that information into your memory. Additionally, by revising your notes, you are reviewing the material.

How:  

Read through your notes to help gain a better understanding of the full picture. Mark any parts of your notes that are unclear.

Design a general outline. Identify the main topics, subtopics, and key concepts of the material.

Draw a connection between what is in your lecture notes and what is in the textbook. Add additional clarification from the textbook to your notes.

Rewrite, doesn't mean recopy. One of the reasons rewriting your notes is a helpful study strategy is because you spend more time critically evaluating the material and processing the information. Thus, you do not want to simply recopy your lecture notes. Instead, follow the outline that you created and bring everything together by writing in the details.


Have you tried rewriting your notes before? If so, did you find it beneficial?

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7 Math Study Tips to Help You Ace That Exam

With nine college mathematics courses under my belt, I have come up with a set of strategies that has helped me do well on my math exams.

Today, I would like to share with you my top tips for studying math and boosting your test grades in your mathematics courses.

1. Read the textbook before class

Don't worry if you don't fully understand, you will make the connection during lecture.

2. Take both lecture notes and textbook notes 

After we've covered a section in class, I neatly rewrite lecture notes and add notes from the textbook for further clarification. Besides having easy to read notes to study from, you are reviewing the material when you rewrite your notes.

3. Review daily

Even if it is just for 5 minutes, regularly reviewing your notes and doing an extra exercise here or there keeps the topic in your mind and will make it easier for you to recall this information during a test.

4. Do your homework, the right way.

Don't procrastinate! Do the homework the same day the material has been covered. Because the material is still fresh in your mind, it will be easier to recall important steps and concepts. Additionally, it will be less stressful.

When doing homework, try to complete all the exercises without looking at notes or references. However, don't spend too long on one problem. If you get stuck, move to the next exercise. If you don't know how to solve this one either, then go ahead and pull out your notes.

If possible, check your answer in the back of the book. If you did not get the correct answer, try to understand why you did not reach the same answer.

5. Practice makes perfect

Be sure to mark any problems you were unable to solve on your own. Once you've finished everything, go back to those questions and re-solve on your own. At this time, you should also redo any exercises that you did not answer correctly.

 For any exercises that you find difficult, do additional exercises that are similar. This will give you the practice you need to master the concept.

6. Make a formula sheet

Write down all formulas, theorems, and definitions of a chapter onto a separate sheet of paper. This way you can quickly reference this page instead of looking through your notes.

7. Keep a positive attitude!

In order to learn any subject, you must want to learn. If you have a negative mindset, you have shut down the potential for learning. If you think to yourself "I will never get this", then you won't. Instead, go into class believing in your own potential.

There is a misconception among many individuals that in order to do well in mathematics, the subject must come naturally to you. This is in part fueled by the negative attitude towards mathematics that our society finds acceptable. But guess what: it is not true! If you put in the effort, you can excel in math.

A final note

If you are continuously struggling in math, there is the possibility that a math learning disability, dyscalculia, could be the at the root of them problem. If you suspect any learning disability is hindering your ability to do well, I encourage you to contact your school's office of disability services.

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4 Gold Foil Prints for the Home Office

I love gold foil prints, especially for brightening up a home office. Who wants to sit at a boring desk?
Currently, I am shopping  for new art and prints to spruce up the wall space above my desk. Having a collection of artwork and inspiration quotes makes a home office more welcoming. I would like to share with you some of my favorite gold foil prints I have found so far.

1. Just Do Things 2. Imperfection is Beautiful

3. Bonjour 3. Hustle

Do you have a gallery wall above your desk?

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