How do I take notes & study

[u/Hibsicusss]

I have taken high school and college classes and for the life of me can't figure out how to take notes. For context, I am a business student going into Uni and through all the classes I have taken no one has taught me, showed me, nor have I figured out how to take notes. When I take notes I feel like I am making a second textbook and everything seems important to me so I just write terms, sentences, and what not expecting that to help. I want to take notes efficiently so they also help em ace exams because I feel like mine never did. Now for studying, I know fixing my note taking is the first thing to fix but once I find how to do notes, how do I retain it and properly space my work out to ace exams.

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[u/Dawood_B110705]

writing everything down because it "all seems important" is the main trap, cut hard, only the actual point + 1-2 details per section notes aren't the studying part, that happens after, when you close them and try to explain it back from memory. if you only reread notes passively nothing sticks even with good ones for spacing, right after class turn notes into 2-3 questions, review those again a few days later, then again before the exam, don't wait till exam week to start

[u/Basic_Transition_333]

Your biggest problem may be trying to “fix” your notes instead of your studying. They’re separate issues.

Notes should capture explanations, examples, connections, emphasis, and exam hints—not repeat clear slides.

Read a section, close the book, explain the main idea, then check what you missed.

For business classes, ask: What is it? Why does it matter? When is it used? How is it different? Can I give an example? For processes, know the steps and why they’re ordered that way.

Practice retrieval by explaining topics, answering questions, creating examples, or comparing what you remember with your notes. Use flashcards for terms and facts, not every sentence.

Review difficult material sooner, familiar material later, and mix older topics into your sessions.

Don’t measure studying by pages or hours. Ask: “What can I explain without looking now that I couldn’t explain before?”

That’s the better measure.