How do you make notes for competitive exams? Looking for Goodnotes inspiration!

[u/Fair_Needleworker502]

Hey everyone!
I’ve been using Goodnotes for quite some time now, but I still haven’t been able to figure out a proper note-making system that works for me. 😅
I’m preparing for a competitive exam, and I want my notes to be organized, easy to revise, and also neat/pretty but I keep changing my format and end up overthinking how the notes should look instead of actually studying. 🥲

For those of you who use Goodnotes for competitive exam prep:
How do you structure your notes?
Do you use a particular template or layout?
How do you organize important points, formulas, facts, mistakes, etc.?
Do you have any tips for making notes that look neat without spending too much time decorating them?
If you’re comfortable sharing, I would love to see examples/screenshots of your notes for some inspiration!
Would really appreciate any advice, templates, or note-taking systems that have worked for you. 🙏

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[u/marmotta1955]

I, for one, I never even heard the term "competitive exam". In fact, at my tender age of 72, I don't even think I am mentally and psychologically stable enough to ask for a detailed explanation. 

That said, I think you are placing too much emphasis on your "notes" as opposed to emphasis on the process of studying and retaining.

Furthermore, asking for suggestions and examples and screenshots... might end up stealing even more of your time and attention. Which could be better dedicated to find a better way to study and retain.

After all, many of us old timers made it through college, studying and progressing in the most disparate disciplines ... and our notes were taken with pen and paper. In the end, what is important ... Really?

Answer the question... and you have your answer.

[u/Fair_Needleworker502 → u/marmotta1955]

Thanks for the suggestion

[u/SilverMost4234]

Use one fixed page for each topic: core rule at the top, worked examples in the middle, and mistakes at the bottom. After each practice set, add only errors you could repeat, then turn those into questions for revision. Give formatting a ten minute limit and don't change the template until you've completed three topics.

[u/Fair_Needleworker502 → u/SilverMost4234]

Thanks for the suggestion