As I have been trying to improve my study habits and mentality I have been experimenting with different ways to learn. Recently, I read a study on how typing out notes and handwriting them create completely different effects. The study showed, that students that hand wrote their notes retained more information and had a greater understanding of the concepts.

So I decided it was worth a try.

For the lecture this week I hand wrote my notes. My initial reaction was “gosh this is so time consuming” and I found myself more worried about whether or not I was going to get everything that was on the slide down on my paper rather than actually listening to what was being said. Once I realised this I knew I just had to take it slow, I could always go back to the lecture notes later if need be. What occurred after I slowed down was amazing. I actually collected a substantial amount of notes, four and a half pages! But the best thing about it was I felt like I knew what I had written about. I wrote things down as much as I could in my own words, which helped me to grasp some of the topics. I also found myself more engaged in the lecture as I was listening and interpreting what was being said.

Although I did have to go over the lecture slides again at home, I feel like this was actually really beneficial too. It allowed me to go back over some concepts at my own pace, which included looking up a few words, reading some more texts and linking the lecture more with the reading. I feel so silly writing this but it was actually a revelation. I cannot recommend this technique more!

I intend on taking a photo of my handwritten notes and putting them up here so I have an electronic copy just in case. But also, for the first time, I’m actually proud of my notes – despite the slightly messy handwriting. I think I will continue to hand write my notes from now on as it definitely seems to be working for me.

Until then,

Rose @)—