Comments on: Why Most Students Don’t Understand the Real Goal of Note-Taking http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/ Decoding Patterns of Success Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sage http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-25878 Sage Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:19:41 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-25878 Hi In one of your replies you talked about a law student using mindmaps for studying and I was interested in how the law student used mindmaps for their legal courses. Am currently a law student and was thinking about using mindmaps to study/take notes and was wondering if you had any ideas as to how they used it for law school. You have a great blog, and it been very helpful to me. thanks Sage Hi
In one of your replies you talked about a law student using mindmaps for studying and I was interested in how the law student used mindmaps for their legal courses. Am currently a law student and was thinking about using mindmaps to study/take notes and was wondering if you had any ideas as to how they used it for law school.

You have a great blog, and it been very helpful to me.
thanks
Sage

]]> By: The Art of Studying More Efficiently | Blackboard Student Support http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-25439 The Art of Studying More Efficiently | Blackboard Student Support Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:34:05 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-25439 [...] The Goal of Note Taking — Learn why most students don’t understand the real goal of note taking. [...]

[...] The Goal of Note Taking — Learn why most students don’t understand the real goal of note taking. [...]

]]> By: Jordan Davis http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-25324 Jordan Davis Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:26:30 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-25324 Cal, I'm a high school student and am almost half way through your "How To Be A High School Superstar" book. I think the book is fantastic and I whole-heartedely feel that your ideas will help me get into my dream school (Wharton). I'm writing because I need some clarification on your QEC method. I'm honestly confused on how to properly use it during my school day and at home. I feel this way because this year I'm taking AP Economics, AP Gov, and AP Environmental Science. I truly love all of these topics and I could not be more excited for the school year! However, I"m not sure how to really use it because a lot of the material from each of these classes respectively requires many specific details in the notes. How do you approach each class and figure out what is the best way to take notes in each class? Also, how do you know if you can just take down the "Big Ideas" or you need to write all of the details? Thank you very much Cal, and your help to students like me is invaluable. Best, Jordan Cal,
I’m a high school student and am almost half way through your “How To Be A High School Superstar” book. I think the book is fantastic and I whole-heartedely feel that your ideas will help me get into my dream school (Wharton).

I’m writing because I need some clarification on your QEC method. I’m honestly confused on how to properly use it during my school day and at home. I feel this way because this year I’m taking AP Economics, AP Gov, and AP Environmental Science. I truly love all of these topics and I could not be more excited for the school year! However, I”m not sure how to really use it because a lot of the material from each of these classes respectively requires many specific details in the notes. How do you approach each class and figure out what is the best way to take notes in each class? Also, how do you know if you can just take down the “Big Ideas” or you need to write all of the details?

Thank you very much Cal, and your help to students like me is invaluable.

Best,
Jordan

]]> By: Three quick but effective note taking tips - Generally Thinking - Psychology for students http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-15650 Three quick but effective note taking tips - Generally Thinking - Psychology for students Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:29:33 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-15650 [...] I have used Cal Newport’s recommendation for subjects like psychology. He says to write the broad question that the lecturer is driving at [...]

[...] I have used Cal Newport’s recommendation for subjects like psychology. He says to write the broad question that the lecturer is driving at [...]

]]> By: Genevieve http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-10371 Genevieve Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:03:09 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-10371 It seems ridiculous that I never used the Q/E/C method before! I'm obsessive about taking notes and keeping them well ordered but I just never thought of doing something this simple, and obviously ended up getting bogged-down in the little detail as a result, completely losing sight of the big ideas in the process. This site is really inspiring! I love that they're not cheats - everything is aimed at serious students looking to make the most of their education. Just brilliant. sorry for gushing! It seems ridiculous that I never used the Q/E/C method before! I’m obsessive about taking notes and keeping them well ordered but I just never thought of doing something this simple, and obviously ended up getting bogged-down in the little detail as a result, completely losing sight of the big ideas in the process.
This site is really inspiring! I love that they’re not cheats – everything is aimed at serious students looking to make the most of their education. Just brilliant. sorry for gushing!

]]> By: casper de tello http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-9059 casper de tello Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:46:02 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-9059 Bit of a cocked up on the above links, sorry. "mentat wiki" is <a href="http://www.ludism.org/mentat/" rel="nofollow">here</a> Bit of a cocked up on the above links, sorry.

“mentat wiki” is here

]]> By: casper de tello http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-9043 casper de tello Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:29:55 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-9043 <blockquote>read ‘Use Your Head‘ by Tony Buzan (the inventor of mind mapping).</blockquote> Buzan did not invent the mind map, in fact it's one way people stored information before the printing press; but, he certainly did commercialise it. That said, the introduction to 'Use your Head' has one of his success stories, and (IMO) the clearest part of perhaps the clearest book from a fuzzy author that happens to lay out a wonderful study strategy; but, there are numerous resources you can pick the principles up from besides Buzan. Two classics that come to mind, though not specifically about mind mapping, are the scholarly tome by Frances Yates here <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Memory-Frances-Yates/dp/0226950018/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1" rel="nofollow"> and the fun and practical starter on memorisation principles by H.Lorayne<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Book-Classic-Improving-School/dp/0345337581/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244751366&sr=1-1" rel="nofollow">. But everything is summarised at the superb 'mentat wiki' here <a href="http://www.ludism.org/mentat/" rel="nofollow">

read ‘Use Your Head‘ by Tony Buzan (the inventor of mind mapping).

Buzan did not invent the mind map, in fact it’s one way people stored information before the printing press; but, he certainly did commercialise it.

That said, the introduction to ‘Use your Head’ has one of his success stories, and (IMO) the clearest part of perhaps the clearest book from a fuzzy author that happens to lay out a wonderful study strategy; but, there are numerous resources you can pick the principles up from besides Buzan.

Two classics that come to mind, though not specifically about mind mapping, are the scholarly tome by Frances Yates here and the fun and practical starter on memorisation principles by H.Lorayne. But everything is summarised at the superb ‘mentat wiki’ here

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-8108 Study Hacks Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:08:57 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-8108 <blockquote>If you’re interested in mind mapping you should read ‘Use Your Head‘ by Tony Buzan (the inventor of mind mapping). It’s a very short book, but outlines the theory behind the technique and how to use it very well.</blockquote> Thanks for the reference. I have chatting recently with a law student who has been impressing me with her use of mind maps -- i'm thinking of writing something about them. This might be a good source for me to consult.

If you’re interested in mind mapping you should read ‘Use Your Head‘ by Tony Buzan (the inventor of mind mapping). It’s a very short book, but outlines the theory behind the technique and how to use it very well.

Thanks for the reference. I have chatting recently with a law student who has been impressing me with her use of mind maps — i’m thinking of writing something about them. This might be a good source for me to consult.

]]> By: Martin http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-8088 Martin Sat, 21 Feb 2009 20:31:46 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-8088 Hi Cal, I'm a British first year medical student. I've only recently found your blog, but it's already been a great help. If you're interested in mind mapping you should read '<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Use-Your-Head-Innovative-Techniques/dp/1406610194/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235248266&sr=8-1" rel="nofollow">Use Your Head</a>' by Tony Buzan (the inventor of mind mapping). It's a very short book, but outlines the theory behind the technique and how to use it very well. Thanks! Hi Cal,

I’m a British first year medical student. I’ve only recently found your blog, but it’s already been a great help.

If you’re interested in mind mapping you should read ‘Use Your Head‘ by Tony Buzan (the inventor of mind mapping). It’s a very short book, but outlines the theory behind the technique and how to use it very well.

Thanks!

]]> By: Study Hacks http://calnewport.com/blog/2007/08/09/why-most-students-dont-understand-the-real-goal-of-note-taking/#comment-5953 Study Hacks Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:12:38 +0000 http://calnewport.com/blog/?p=34#comment-5953 @Dahlia: It depends on the class. The general rule is to experiment with a system that best matches the type of class. You might want to read my article titled "How to Take Notes on Power Point Slides" for a discussion of the specific case you mention. @Dahlia:

It depends on the class. The general rule is to experiment with a system that best matches the type of class. You might want to read my article titled “How to Take Notes on Power Point Slides” for a discussion of the specific case you mention.

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