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There is no optimal system. What works for you is what works for you. And what works for you well in one subject might not be as optimal for you in another sub

There is no optimal system. What works for you is what works for you. And what works for you well in one subject might not be as optimal for you in another subject. We all love the idea of one-size fits all (in fact, this is marketed to all of us all the time). In fact, I am going to go off on a tangent here and expand to not just taking notes - but how you learn new things. I am assuming that you are optimizing for short-term usage and recall. For rote memorization, if you have not already encountered it, try Anki (http://ankisrs.net/ http://ankisrs.net/). To simulate a test (for those tests requiring essay answers), get a group of study friends together and just do what Toastmasters does - ask them a question related to the subject and have them speak for 1-2 minutes off the cuff about it. This closely approximates a short (or longer) essay question. For subjects like physics, optimize your method of problem solving. For example, don't solve problems line by line in the textbook. But on a whiteboard or a blank sheet of paper, ideally with friends, solve that problem at a high level. What is the process that you will need to do to solve it? Where can you get lost? (VERY IMPORTANT) As for longer-term recall and usage, it is all about day by day actions, not binging. Just an hour or two a day consistently. Active not passive. I'm currently studying a new language (Spanish). I used to have a giant Google doc where I just copied and pasted in in translations of single words. Later, it evolved to include example sentences. Finally, it became blocks of writing from native speakers. It didn't do anything for studying. What works is actively trying to use the words/phrases. I can only handle maybe 5 or 10 a day. And by actively using them all day (even if just in my head, sometimes with headphones in public - no one knows you aren't talking to someone but yourself) they become gradually more medium-term and eventually permanent.

arrmn 11y ago
Thanks for your comment. I'm not trying to optimize for short term usage, in the beginning it is short term obviously, but I would like to be able to use the notes to repeat the topics and move them to my long term memory. That's my problem my notes aren't that clear to use them as a reference. And for Anki/Flashcards I didn't find a good way to use them for CS topics, and more importantly for math.
- wallflower 11y ago
  You're welcome. Have you considered visual note taking? http://www.amazon.com/The-Back-Napkin-Problems-Pictures/dp/1591841992 http://www.amazon.com/The-Back-Napkin-Problems-Pictures/dp/1... It's not dissimilar to mind maps, and it exercises your brain more because you are making the connections more than the software. Don't worry about drawing skills, those info visualizations from TedX talks are usually from professionals. Like these - http://blog.ted.com/tag/sketchnotes/ http://blog.ted.com/tag/sketchnotes/ Your notes won't ever be clear enough to use as a direct reference unless you write a literal book. Perhaps just use it as a prompt for what challenged you (at the time of writing the note). Also, look at memory palaces. I don't like the technique myself but it has uses for more complicated memorizations that defy rote memorization (e.g. irregular conjugations of verbs that diverge from the standard patterns). In case you missed it, there was a recent HN post about using Anki for CS topics (not Math). The basic concept is that the Anki cards can be used to pose questions on topics or subtopics that may be on the verge of slipping from working memory. It is different from a vocabulary card where you know the answer right away. The Anki card solely exists as a random-access method to challenge your ability to solve a particular problem of a topic or subtopic. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11408447 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11408447

arrmn 11y ago

Thanks for your comment. I'm not trying to optimize for short term usage, in the beginning it is short term obviously, but I would like to be able to use the notes to repeat the topics and move them to my long term memory. That's my problem my notes aren't that clear to use them as a reference. And for Anki/Flashcards I didn't find a good way to use them for CS topics, and more importantly for math.

wallflower 11y ago
You're welcome. Have you considered visual note taking? http://www.amazon.com/The-Back-Napkin-Problems-Pictures/dp/1591841992 http://www.amazon.com/The-Back-Napkin-Problems-Pictures/dp/1... It's not dissimilar to mind maps, and it exercises your brain more because you are making the connections more than the software. Don't worry about drawing skills, those info visualizations from TedX talks are usually from professionals. Like these - http://blog.ted.com/tag/sketchnotes/ http://blog.ted.com/tag/sketchnotes/ Your notes won't ever be clear enough to use as a direct reference unless you write a literal book. Perhaps just use it as a prompt for what challenged you (at the time of writing the note). Also, look at memory palaces. I don't like the technique myself but it has uses for more complicated memorizations that defy rote memorization (e.g. irregular conjugations of verbs that diverge from the standard patterns). In case you missed it, there was a recent HN post about using Anki for CS topics (not Math). The basic concept is that the Anki cards can be used to pose questions on topics or subtopics that may be on the verge of slipping from working memory. It is different from a vocabulary card where you know the answer right away. The Anki card solely exists as a random-access method to challenge your ability to solve a particular problem of a topic or subtopic. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11408447 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11408447