7 Note-taking Secrets of the Top 1% of Students

Top students take notes very differently from the rest, from the way they think about the ideas to the way they represent them on the page. Here are 7 tips that will transform your notes and your grades, even if you just implement a few to start.

🙏 Thanks for watching!
- Mike and Matty

[MisterMevs]

Dude, you saying "that struggle is what learning feels like" just unlocked a new viewpoint in my brain, i don't know. I've never looked at it like that before. Thanks

[fivestarmichelin]

1. Make your notes more visual
2. Use notes as an extension for your thinking - not a replacement
3. Don't just rely on your notes for exams
4. Constantly update your notes
5. Linear and non linear notes (non linear notes are better as you're able to link ideas)
6. Learn math with words at first, then apply with numbers
7. Write questions

[laraibqureshi]

Notetaking Tips

0:24 make your notes more visual
Mind mapping

0:34 notes are meant to be an extension of you thinking.
Learn by struggling
Write notes after class
Let your brain process info
Don’t be worried about missing info in class, as everything is in your textbook anyways.

2:01 don’t over rely in your notes
DO NOT reread your notes. This is useless.
Instead use methods like active recall. (Questions)

2:47 constantly update your notes
Version 1 - notes in class
Group info together in later versions

3:39 linear vs non linear
Non linear is more easy to visualise how everything is connected together
Basically mind mapping

4:46 the best way to start learning maths is WITHOUT all the numbers
Learn the math in words first
Learn the concept then then the procedure

5:38 write questions
Forces you to think like examiner
Great review tool for exams

[Shortandnerdyy]

I feel like I'm guilty of struggling to write notes without even trying to learn. I'm in nursing school and this channel has helped me a lot

[xStayCurious]

Hearing Number Two articulated aloud made me have to stop what I was doing for a solid minute and reflect on every academic struggle I've ever experienced. Videos like these, through your wonderful ability to communicate and creatively discuss how we think and organize our thoughts, have gotten me excited about learning again.

[e-genieclimatique]

in brief:
This video emphasizes the importance of effective note-taking strategies for students.
The key points include:

1. Make notes more visual: Use images, flowcharts, diagrams, or mind maps to better remember and process information.
2. Notes as an extension of thinking: Do not offload everything from the brain to notes immediately; instead, give the brain time to process information.
3. Don't over-rely on notes: Rereading notes can give the illusion of learning but true learning requires active recall.
4. Update notes constantly: Notes should go through multiple iterations to refine and condense understanding.
5. Linear vs. Non-linear note-taking: Understand the difference between these two methods and when to use each.
6. Note-taking in math: Start with a conceptual understanding in words before moving on to numbers and equations.
7. Write questions: Writing questions can help focus learning objectives, improve understanding, and create a useful review tool for exams.

Ultimately, effective note-taking requires engaging with the material, adapting to different subjects, and continuously refining notes to ensure a thorough understanding.

[proflashgaming]

funny I'm taking notes on taking better notes

[ThinkleaYT]

You helped me a lot to recover from my failure in 1st year of Medical School. I was heavily dependent on notes, tried to reading and re reading, and indeed it creates an illusion. After closely watching your videos I m focusing on making mind maps and doodles, sketches to remember the concepts. The idea of writing everything in class really sucks. I will focus more on reading standard textbooks. Btw Thank you so much ❤.

[BalefulRogue]

I was guilty of typing or writing notes during lecture, but I found that time was better spent making quizlets or flashcards of the lecture material. I was more likely to view and study them versus rereading my lecture notes. I also made the notes and turned them into questions to better help me understand the material and learn it.

[Iddy]

I really appreciate that you point out what learning "SHOULD" feel like. It puts it into a new perspective for me.

[Ashthegrey]

It wasn't until college that I had to learn how to study and really discover these types of learning skills for myself. This is the best video I've found so far!

[eluvjyq]

the understanding phase of learning is to use note taking techniques i.e.
Feyman technique, whole-part-whole, analogies, storytelling, t-tree, and/or the QEC, PSA and Cornell methods.

Remembering phase = Active learning and spaced repetition i.e. pre test, stop and recite, writing qstns, immediate review of mistakes,
delayed review, interleaving topics, retrospective timetable, shoe box method, teaching from memory, apps with algorithms, Remnote, Trello, Quizlet, Quizizz, Toggles, pnemonics, occlusion or fill in the blanks.

[yasminabloom]

first I want to say, great video with many great tips which I definitely will apply. I now do take notes in class especially for anatomy/ pathology subjects, and doing this made it a huge difference. I do wish I could draw things out so i remember better, but the way the teacher moves on quick to next thing is a challenge I need to overcome.

2. Because of you (well both of you) I redid my test for anatomy, it went from 5, 5 to 9, 7!!! I worked so hard for this bloody test to prove myself I am not stupid (lol)!! so big big thank you!!! I realized anatomy is my favourite thing to learn.

[advancetotabletop]

NGL — As a retired “adult”, I’ll say that after you graduate, you’re going to use a set of skills completely different from studying. ): When you’re in school, learn those interpersonal skills you will need to network before and when you have a job. When you’re older, keep up with technology so you don’t fall behind on… everything. And invest before you enter college, or even high school. Compound interest. Study hard — but only if you need to. It’s only one set of skills you *may* need in life.

[freyadcoding]

the multiple versions of notetaking, writing math notes down with words, and writing questions for future reference are amazing!

[sarvanipappu]

it's amazing how I started taking my physics notes in the "non linear" way just yesterday and you posted about it today! but honestly, that's one of my best decisions ive ever made..I just got the whole context of the subtopics like real quick but just looking at it for once. and I also write some very important stuff that I don't want to forget randomly at the side of the pages and make a little cloud around it with a red pen(coz ive heard from some people that come to our clg to give us study tips say that red colour is alarming yk like in the traffic signals it means "stop") so when I'm trying to read my notes and see something red and I'll stop and see what it is.
ps. everytime I feel unmotivated I watch your videos and there's this excitement building up in me to study more! thank you so much for making these kind of videos and helping many other students like me! very very helpful 💜

[daryasmko]

Man u have a deep understanding of what u are doing and it help us so much.

[sherrycohen]

Thank you so much for this video. My rising middle school son has ADHD and dyslexia and I've been trying to find ways to help him learn without fighting me. What you said in this video is applicable to his age group and older.

[SshanIcsS]

A 6 Minute Video. Simple, no blabla. Just perfect 👍🏼

[NoshFoods-om]

1. Visualize
2. Don't off load info immediately
3. Don't over realy on note
4. Recall
5. Constantly update notes
6. Linear vs non linear (connect concepts, mind map, diagram)
7. In maths first conceptually understand then solve
8. Learning objectives
Think like exam writer.
Write questions