Why Note Taking is Essential to Passing Exams by Kristin

Why Note Taking is Essential to Passing Exams by Kristin - May 2016 Scholarship Essay

The best way to study for exams is to take good notes. These can be from the textbook and during class. The best way to study from the notes you take is to make study sheets or flashcards relative to material on the exam.
If a teacher gives lectures during their classes, or if there is open discussion, I write main ideas or vocabulary words down. After writing down ideas and words, I go to my text books and research the topics more in depth. It is good to have a separate spiral notebook for each class so that my notes stay organized. I personally have found that usually if you understand major ideas from the book or from lectures, you will do well on the tests.
Reviewing notes is a great way to study, but usually it is more helpful to make a flip chart, study guide, or note cards. With learning science, foreign language, or math formulas note cards are very helpful. Flip charts can be useful when studying for an essay question. I write the question or topic of the essay down on one side of a folded piece of paper, and parallel to it on the other side I write bullet points that help me connect ideas together to answer the question. This way I can quiz myself on the material. And finally study guides can be useful tools. When I create a study guide, I take the lecture notes and use a highlighter to show all the material I am not completely familiar with. Then I transfer the material I do not know well onto another sheet of paper and read over it until I become more familiar with it.
In conclusion the most essential tool for studying for an exam is the notes taken during a class. It is important to be at school to take the notes. If I ever miss class I text a friend so they take notes for me. If you understand the notes from class, and can connect and comprehend the ideas well, then passing exams should seem easy!