How to UPGRADE iPad note taking (with Science)

Learn the best way to take notes on an iPad/tablet.

Every week, I distil what really works for improving results, memory, depth of understanding, and knowledge application from over a decade of coaching into bite-sized emails.

=== Paid Training Program ===

(Designed for busy students and professionals aiming to achieve top results without endless studying. 77% of our students cover the same amount of study material in 30% less time within 1 month.)

=== Timestamps ===

0:00 Using iPad for note-taking
01:09 Example of terrible notes
04:11 Demonstration
05:21 The right way to do iPad notes
10:06 Dealing with paper size
11:37 Why you shouldn't annotate
13:39 Examples of sub-par iPad notes
18:03 Bonus benefits of non-linear note-taking

=== About Dr Justin Sung ===

Dr. Justin Sung is a world-renowned expert in self-regulated learning, certified teacher, research author, and former medical doctor. He has guest lectured on learning skills at Monash University for Master’s and PhD students in Education and Medicine. Over the past decade, he has empowered tens of thousands of learners worldwide to dramatically improve their academic performance, learning efficiency, and motivation.

[JustinSung]

Every week, I distil what really works for improving results, memory, depth of understanding, and knowledge application from over a decade of coaching into bite-sized emails.

[illhaveawtrplz]

I’ve found one of the major benefits of iPad/tablet note-taking is the ability to select and move something you’ve already drawn or written. This flexibility is great for quickly reformatting something you already wrote down when you figure out how it connects to something new. It really cuts down on that up-front cost that you mention.

[pohkeee]

That’s why you don’t crack the code of learning until you begin to teach. As a teacher you reverse your process and turn your nonlinear knowledge and concepts in order to produce a linear presentation. …that’s also why the nerds that help their fellow students, usually excel…they have to construct their own mind maps and then deconstruct them to present them to the others.

[BrianGlaze]

Learning for the sake of learning is really fun and I wish more people looked at it that way.

[favbal]

Your original notes is what is enabling you to redo them this way. If you were trying to do it when the professor was doing the lecture it would be more difficult. Especially if he/she was doing it at speed. When a professor that actually “teaches” is up front doing the lecture you don’t have time to do this. I have always used this method but I would get the main points and then later go back and together with the book and my memory, which is what really helped me, I would redo them in this way.

[pawnman]

🎁🎁Gift we want for Christmas is : Justin finally doing a long live session where he actually study something for the first time and put all these study techniques in action.

[VicRivero]

"I'd like to thank the sponsor of today's video: me" that hit hard lol goals

[wayneduff-riddell]

As an engineer dealing with what invariably includes a lot of social impact issues, I find that using mindmapping tools (Simplemind is my favourite) is my go to for many things. The diagrams start out helping me understand a problem, then explain my thinking to colleagues and often land up in reports, business plans, policy documents, all sorts. The one thing I prefer over Justin's style is having "typed" text as I, and others, need to read the stuff in future. Grouping, linking, giving directionality, adding graphics, explanatory notes (if absolutely necessary) - all quite easy. So, not just a learning tool, but also a design tool.

[mnqkpgu]

You know what, I started doing this even before seeing this video and I can confirm that learning has become much more fun, creative and allow me to connect and link info together. Arrows, symbols, I really like it. A really big part of this is thanks to tablets, like you can lasso, erase stuff easily and change its position to fit more info later. 😂 1st year med student too, I had to quickly adapt to a new style of learning and retaining info and boyyy when I used the 'mindmap' method I got the highest grades ive gotten for all the subjects so far. 😅of course, I still have more to learn but like my Dr once said, "An improvement no matter how small, is a step forwards nontheless"

[bednarskanatalia]

i really resonated with you saying you were "more curious" about the topic while making the mind map. Thanks to your channel I started (properly) using mind maps recently for my studies (vet med) and i immediately found myself really engaged, trying to make sense of all the relationships within a topic, curious to solve whatever i dont quite understand yet. before it would have been an absolute pain and i would often end up giving up finding the answer or understanding it very superficially. it makes memorising everything a lot easier too

[herrerac]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:

00:00 📚 *Overview of Linear Note-Taking*
- Linear note-taking is a common but ineffective method, demonstrated through the speaker's past notes.
- Linear notes lack organization, are time-consuming, and hinder deep understanding.
- The speaker emphasizes the need to move beyond linear structures for effective learning.
03:56 🔄 *Importance of Nonlinear Note-Taking*
- Nonlinear note-taking allows for a more accurate representation of complex knowledge networks.
- The speaker compares linear and nonlinear versions of notes, highlighting the benefits of the latter.
- Emphasis on reconstructing knowledge into a nonlinear network for better retention and understanding.
07:26 📉 *Streamlining and Simplifying Notes*
- The process of constant refinement and simplification in nonlinear note-taking is crucial for understanding.
- The speaker demonstrates how nonlinear notes lead to cleaner, more organized representations.
- Confidence and curiosity increase as a result of effective nonlinear note-taking.
10:55 📏 *Limitations of Physical Paper for Note-Taking*
- Physical paper imposes limitations on expressing complex relationships and connections.
- The speaker highlights the benefit of using an iPad with an Infinite Canvas for unrestricted note-taking.
- Emphasis on the importance of leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience.
13:18 📱 *Pitfalls in Using Learning Apps on iPad*
- Many learning apps on the iPad are designed without considering effective learning science principles.
- The speaker points out issues with app designs that replicate paper-based note-taking habits.
- Learners should be aware that using an app marketed for learning does not guarantee efficient learning.
16:47 🖼️ *Common Issues in iPad Note-Taking Styles*
- Critique of common iPad note-taking styles that involve copying images and simple annotations.
- Emphasis on the importance of deep processing and creating meaningful networks in notes.
- The speaker encourages learners to go beyond superficial methods and engage in more thoughtful note-taking.
18:53 🔍 *Identifying Knowledge Gaps Through Visual Representation*
- Nonlinear note-taking visually exposes knowledge gaps and weaknesses during the note-writing process.
- Discovering gaps in real-time accelerates learning and engages curiosity.
- The speaker emphasizes the long-term benefits of addressing knowledge gaps early in the learning process.

Made with HARPA AI

[purinpopz]

he’s definitely a doctor because i can’t understand his handwriting 😭

[safaobuz]

Justin, to be straightforward, I feel like this style of note taking only works because you already have established relationships between these objects and are just putting it to paper. The process of generating these notes and referring back to them later further ingrains these ideas into you.
However, for ideas that can't be fully encapsulated by just one word, I don't think this style works well. For example, if I wanted to use this style of note taking for mathematics, how would I go about doing it? After a certain point these notes don't help your problem solving capability, which is really needed in math. Math is also extremely linear, so it seems pointless. This seems good for pre-med/med or humanities, but for other subjects seems weak. I'm sorry if you already have a video that addresses this topic but I haven't gotten around to watching it, if it exists.

[paigelysaght]

Just popped up in my recommended and I love this advice. My only question/concern would be doing this in classes that are very theory based/wordy. I’m studying a degree in criminology, and don’t know how I’d be able to represent the loads of information I need to know into a diagram. Would absolutely love some advice on this, and love the video

[ToueTu]

"then I can go through and clean it up instead of trying to figure out everything mentally which is going to be overloading", thank you Justin for saying this.
I feel like even though intuitively I wanted to do this, I would force myself trying to do it mentally and trying to make it "perfect" on the first try, which would demotivate me and feeling like "I am doing it wrong. How does Justin do it?".
You saying that you do this, it feels like some weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Because the process of trial and error and then adjust and clean up is something that makes creating mindmaps more enjoyable (at least for me). It almost feels like a painting where you start drafting but then you slowly make it better and better as you progress.

[kamaltahir]

Can vouch for this. Have been studying like for the past few days and i must say, studying has become enjoyable again. Thanks man!

[MrGlaucos]

The aspect that I'm uncertain whether people will grasp in your video, but it's present, is that effective studying is the one that compels your brain to acquire knowledge, not the paper. Your new version of this work exhibits fewer words because the implied connections are truly within your brain, not merely on paper.

[rcllgrk]

I finally knew the science behind the way I have used in my learning since I was a child--reconstruct linear knowledge into the nonlinear networking knowledge. There was no tablet back in my learning days. I did that in the PC when I was in graduate school. My husband criticized I was wasting the times as my Uniform CPA exam was around the corner. ( I was an international student and took the exam for the first time)

My husband never ever told me how to study after he saw my score in that subject – 92 points in business law. I passed all four parts in one sitting. And yes, I can’t agree with Justin more about this learning science.

[chloekoh]

1:25 I love how you show off your bad notes with pride because of how far you’ve gotten. That is insane HAHA absolute respect to you Dr Sung ❤🙇‍♀️ I hope to be able to make fun of my current notes years in the future as well 😂

[FirstGenCorp]

I graduated over 10 years ago and have been working in corporate finance ever since- now that I'm looking to get more certifications I'm focusing on how to be more strategic with studying and the various practices and technology. Your video is hands down the most helpful I've come across after days. Thank you for the current day examples, live demonstration and practicality of your approach!