Life update! Advice needed.

[flamebyrd]

The big news is that I'm going back to uni. Information Management, Grad Dip (Archives/Records) first and if I don't hate it, continuing on to the Masters.

Since I haven't studied since 2003, I am a little anxious about this.

So, to that end, I am soliciting note-taking/study advice! Trends have changed, and I want to know what they are.

I bought a B5* notebook with dot grid paper, I haven't purchased any pens yet but I am looking forward to doing it. Edit: I also have a 2018 iPad, with keyboard and stylus, which I intend to use as my study computer (as much as possible).


*Midway between A5 and A4, 6.9"x9.8"

Comments

[tsaiko]

I am one of those people who remembers best when I write notes by hand (as opposed to typing them). So here's some things I learned when I was out of school awhile and then had to return for my Master's:

- Get one notebook per class OR get a 3 or five subject notebook and use each section only for that class.

- If you are using a notebook, flip to a new page each day. Date in the top corner closest to the edge of the notebook. Miss a day of class? Flip to a new page, date, and put "Missed class." Seriously this helped me so much both to prove I was in class and to remember what material I need to study on my own because I missed that day in class.

- Keep your class syllabus in the back of your notebook or at the back of the section if you are using a multi-subject notebook. Often there's a calendar section that tells you (in general) what material you will cover each week/class. Great for figuring out what you missed if you miss a day.

- By some cheap file folders (one for each class) and put all quizzes, assignments, and hand-outs for a class in them. When you take a test, clip all the quizzes/assignments/handouts together that pertain to that test. Want to study for your test? Well now you know which stuff the professor gave you since the last test.

- Get a good backpack. Find one you are comfortable with. Your back and shoulders will thank you.

I know this makes me sound super organized, but I'm not. I just put things into muscle memory so that it appears I'm organized. It's mostly just "Shove crap into folder/notebook and forget until I have to study."

[flamebyrd]

These tips are all really great, particularly with regard to keeping relevant things clipped together. We have a modest collection of novelty paperclips that would be great for this!

My idea of organisation is definitely of the "put something in a folder so you can't see it anymore" variety, so this appeals in that I can still do that, but as long as I always put things in the front and clip each module together when appropriate it'll maintain some kind of usability.