Hello peopleee!
So, this isn’t craft related, but I need help.
In my social studies class this year, literally all we ever do is take notes, do a test, take notes, do a test, etc.
And I SUCK at taking notes. Do you guys have any tips or advice for me? I’m working on getting super neat handwriting, but what is your guys’ format usually for taking notes?
Thank youuu!!! Y’all are the best! 
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I usually summarize and shorten the notes before i write them down, that way I have less to write for the same info! Also bonus tip: when studying I write a page of the most important info of each chapter. Hope this helps!
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Omg my social studies class this year sucks too.
the teacher lectures for like 40 minutes and then we do worksheets and take note w/ videos and we have a unit quiz this Friday
I usually just messily write a lot down then when I get home(or when I have time) I find the main points and summarize them for the notes (sorry if that didn’t make sense cause I’m also bad at note taking)
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COLOR CORIDINATION!! Use a certain color for certain things. Yellow: headers. Blue: sub headings. Etc. it helps me the most. Also. Don’t use a pen. It will get extremely disorganized when you’re trying to write and you keep having to scribble it bcs you messed up on a word 
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You’re worrying about neat handwriting when taking notes???
When I take notes I write down the heading, and skim the section quickly. (then I actually read it.) Then I take a note or two for each paragraph in the section, finding the main idea of the paragraph. If the paragraph is small or doesnt discuss something pretty related to the main topic, then I dont write it down.
Also, definitely abbreviate things if you can go back and know what you were talking about. DONt try to take super detailed notes and write everything out! If the teacher has like a thing to study with, go over it and compare it to your notes.
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take messy but READABLE notes in class, then make a clean copy at home. rn, i’m not doing that bc class is easy, but i will do that in the future. when i get my binder from my locker, i’ll show u my note pages :3 but i basically js write what i find important and not even that much detail 
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Sameeeee, Ive also always sucked at taking notes (and still do) I feel like I ALWAYS used to use my friends notes for quizzes, reviews, etc, but for the past year I’ve been using a note taking system called “Cornell notes” it’s probably the only I can takes notes now.
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My handwriting is also illegible so that’s probably another reason why 
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1-I like to use different colors rather than pencil (personally my brain turns to mush trying to find something when it all looks the same in pencil)
2- highlighting/underlining/changing the color etc on important topics or topics that are on a future test or are a main topic compared to the other notes.
3- adding pictures/ diagrams/examples/step by step etc especially if it’s a math class
4- 1 last thing!!! circle/box out paragraphs that are related or go together in some way yk .
sorry for ranting, hope this helps!!! 
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I like doing this but instead of a summary, I like to add pics/diagrams (especially if it’s math)
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Try Fountain pens
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I can’t take notes either I don’t have the attention
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Do you mean taking notes while theyre talking?
Because my method would be different for this than note taking from text
If from talking
1)Don’t worry how crap yr writing is as long as you can decipher it later
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use a smooth running pen to write faster…i like a rollerball ink pen
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a fat note book a4 size so you dont run out of paper… also they’re stapled together or ring bound so you dont get pages in a muddle after
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use your own short hand eg i use arrows and start new lines for info about processes so it looks more like a flow chart, i circle things or underline things that are important as I go. The only spelling i worry about is if its a weblink or specific name or term …otherwise who cares
5)If its key points or sections or ideas i might do a spider diagram or a list as they mention each topic or idea then add ‘legs’ to the diagram
I don’t worry about keeping in the lines if the info is coming fast…if there’s time i might have a highlighter to hand for super important things i want to remember.
If a point relates back to something… ill just draw an arrow back to the earlier point to indicate that
- THEN - at the point of revision… i would type it up under headings to make sense of it and that process helps it to sink in, then use those notes to highlight key points, read through, and if necessary write out key points by hand to flash cards/ revision cards to revise because those manual processes aid memory and you can get people to test you using them.
My background
Visual learner, adhd, teacher .
Also would like to say… if you are struggling speak to your teacher/lecturer . They really should offer support materials eg copies of slides/powerpoint or even recorded lecture.
If you have additional needs such as dyslexia or processing difficulties this method of delivery talking / take notes (chalk n talk) is not going to be acceptable without support.
Could you record the lecture (with permission) and turn into voice note/ text?
I guarantee you won’t be the only person finding it hard.
People who have or handwriting or slow handwriting are also at a disadvantage and anything put in place to support a person with additional needs would also benefit everyone.
Generally whether you are neuroduverse or neurotypical People have different learning styles , lecturers know this and should work with you (as in the group & individuals) to support this. Its a win for everyone when people get better results. 
Good luck and how this helps xx deb
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I just did a presentation about note taking yesterday but I’m pretty sure I can’t share it
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yes i need to read my handwriting
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When i take notes, i start with the heading of the topic
MERCANTILISM
Then right under i start with bullet points writing the most important things down in phrases of like 1-4 words
●taxing process
●bad for the colonies
Then, if i need to elaborate on something, right under the bullet point, I either do dashes, or braces to elaborate on the bullet point
[Not allowing for trade with other foreign countries making certain goods vey difficult to get]
And then, if i just have one off information that I want to include, i’ll use these
~middle colonies = bread basket~
Thats how I organize my info and it really helps everything stay organized with out looking bulky. Oh and also make sure to skip lines after each section of information for easy comprehension
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use two different colours! Like a black pen and another colour pen/highlighter/marker. I like to have at least one of each! Write regular notes in black pen or use a pencil, then write the important stuff (definitions, things to remember, etc) in your second colour. If you really want to remember, write it in your second colour and highlight it. Also, make sure to write the date on the top. If you take notes on separate paper, this REALLY helps for organisation!
And keep your notes organised! This is very important when it comes to quizzes/tests. Make bullet points! I like to use fun bullet points, like a star or heart or etc, but you can use whatever. If you’re going to make bullet points, I usually write like this:
Definition: words words
-something about definition
~something else about definition
And you can always write any notes to yourself on the side. :).
You don’t need to write everything the teacher says either, just write what’s important!
hope this helps!!
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you could try a bunch mindmaps? they’re really easy to make if you try youtube tutorials on how to lay them out! revision clocks work too, and just subheadings with bullet points!!
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Hi , so my tips are try to colour code stuff as it stand out to you more only write the essentials as it wastes time and try to divide it up into boxes . Hope this helps !
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My brain is dead now…
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