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Why Structured Outlines Are Not The Best for Notes
Why Creating Notes With Outlines/Bullet Points is Least Effective for Learning
The most common way students take notes is to simply go from top to bottom, noting key ideas and details, usually with bullet points.
These also may include random ideas or terms in the margins-outside of the "outline".
Think back to when you took notes this way. How engaged were you?
How much could you remember after taking notes this way?
Probably not much, why do you think that is?
It Doesn't Work Well
In college, you will definitely take a class or two (or more) where your professor speaks fast and does NOT pause to wait for students to take notes.
Why not?
Because the professor expects you to have read material and have taken some kind of notes before class-this way, you are better prepared.
So, the professor moves through concepts more quickly than you would like-because you are doing ALL of your learning during class (not smart, guy/gal).
So, if you take notes in this neatly structured style, moving from one key idea and details to the next, you will find that you will struggle.
When the professor has moved on to a new idea, you are still writing down key details for the previous idea.
Therefore, you miss important information.
Using an outline doesn't allow you to keep up with a fast-moving teacher.
It will cause stress and confusion as well as not being able to fully process material because you are focused on writing down information quickly and too neatly/linear just to keep up.
What Other Reasons Make it Less Effective?
Remember-I am not saying it ISN'T effective. I am saying it is LESS effective than other systems.
In addition to not being able to keep up with a fast speaking professor, it isn't the best for memory.
Our brains need something meaningful to remember information.
A linear outline isn't that creative and can be difficult for visual learners to retrieve from their brain.
Memory Requirements
Our brains form synapses when we learning something new. The more creative, funny, and organized that memory is, the stronger the synapse will be.
The stronger the synapse, the longer you remember something.
Why is this important to know?
Although the structured outline is organized well, it isn't the most creative or memorable, which means the synapses in our brain won't be as strong as say, Cornell notes, the Q and A system, or a web.
I am not dissing the outline. I am saying it is best for well-organized lectures where the professor doesn't move too fast.
It is a good initial way to take notes, but to really transfer information from short term memory to long term memory, you will likely need to do more.
This can include rewriting those notes, highlighting key words or ideas, writing important one-two sentence summaries in the margins, or reading the outline out loud.
So, if the outline is your favorite way of taking notes, then have at it!
Just know, it may require more of you to commit material to long-term memory.
That is not a bad thing. Anything we devote our time and attention to will be easier to remember.
However, if you are wanting to save time and additional steps, then the Cornell notes and the Q and A system would be best.
They may seem longer to complete, but that is because you are utilizing and implementing memory steps WHILE taking notes in those ways.
These include multiple reviews, being inquisitive and wanting to learn (the Q and A), giving you a built in way to study, and forcing you to focus on the teacher and on the reading.
In all, whatever style you choose to take notes, committing anything to long-term memory will always take time, meaningful structure, and multiple reviews.
HAPPY NOTE-TAKING!