Note-taking in High School: What's been the most effective strategy for you?

Hey! I'm looking to improve my study habits. What's been your most effective note-taking strategy in high school?

One common method for note-taking is the Cornell method, which divides the page into three sections: notes, cues, and summary. In the "notes" section, jot down the main ideas while you're in class or reading the material. After the lesson or reading, revisit your notes to pull out key points and questions and write these in the "cues" section. Lastly, write a brief summary based on your notes. This method helps deepen understanding, as it gives you the opportunity to review and summarize your notes relatively soon after class.

Mind mapping is also a productive method, especially for visual learners. This method involves creating a central node (the main topic), and branching out to sub-topics and key points, making it easy to see how different ideas connect.

Lastly, there's active recall and spaced repetition, which goes beyond just taking notes. After learning a topic, close your notes and actively try to recall what you've learned. Then, review the material again after increasingly lengthy intervals (1 day later, then 2 days, then 4 days, etc). Active recall aids in moving information from your short-term to long-term memory, while spaced repetition battles the inevitable 'forgetting curve'.

Remember, everyone's learning style is different. It could take trial and error to figure out which methods work best for you, but once you find a system that suits you, taking notes and studying can become much more effective!