✍️Taking better class notes

It is Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Good morning! Stolen traffic cones (@UGA), street signs, and custom signs sometimes end up as dorm room decorations. Signs like “What Happens In This Room Stays In This Room” or “Do Not Disturb – I’m Disturbed Enough Already” are popular. Sometimes adventurous people put fake signs in public places – like fake street signs mocking Minneapolis police. Earlier this month, a dedicated prankster from Chicago’s Roger Park, known for installing fake government signs and notices in public places, took the art form to the next level and installed “Nude Beach Past This Sign” on Loyola Beach.

- from Kati Gotzmann (BU), Adilya Makharova (BU), Erin Fitman (BU), Keertik Fulzele

Studying Efficiently.

Now that the new semester has started and you have settled in, it’s time to focus on studying. Before you know it, mid-term exams will be here! Developing good studying habits is crucial to succeeding in your classes. A critical part of efficient studying is taking good notes and organizing them.

The first step – always attend classes! Simple enough (unless you have 8 AM classes).

There are mainly two types of studying methods for your courses: memorizing (such as biology) or doing (for example, calculus).

For memorizing courses, the most effective method is a 3-step process:

• Break down the big topic into smaller questions, preferably before the class.

• Gather the answers or evidence from various sources (like class notes, google, textbook notes, etc.)

• Try to summarize the topic in your own words. If you can teach it to others, you can be confident that you understand the topic well.

Samuel explains this method very well:

iPad + GoodNotes (+ Notability) is a good combination for notetaking.

An iPad could be a big investment for some. We are all about helping students to save money whenever possible. However, after much research, we conclude that an iPad is a worthwhile investment for studying efficiently and effectively. For those who are not ready to buy an iPad yet, your college library or IT department may have some to loan. Another cheaper alternative is the reMarkable tablet that feels like writing on paper.

Once you have an iPad, Emily has an awesome step-by-step guide to setting it up to take digital notes using the GoodNotes app. She also has suggestions for other apps to use.

Samuel also has an excellent walk-through on organizing notes on iPad using Notability and GoodNotes apps.

Use Notion to organize your life.

It is free for students:

You can find a lot of different Notion page templates on Google, YouTube, and Pinterest. Choose the one you believe will work best for your organizing preferences.

Again, Emily has an awesome step-by-step walkthrough on how to organize the entire college life using Notion.

Chatter Heard on Quad

• Harvard tweaks college application to satisfy what the Supreme Court said is okay — namely, to consider race as part of an applicant’s ‘experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race.’ Most other universities are expected to follow similar changes to their admissions process.

• Turning from a political activist to political indifference. An Emory student explains why.

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✨ Glad to have you at the Quad! ✨☮️