Taking notes is a skill that not everyone has mastered. This is considered to be an essential skill in secondary school and beyond as the amount of information and readings students have to process increases significantly. While many people believe that taking notes helps students remember and perform well, the reality is that some students benefit from it while others don’t. The quality and process of note-taking are crucial. When done effectively, note-taking can have a significant impact on learning and retention.
The Wide Margin strategy
There are many techniques and styles to choose from, one simple yet highly effective strategy is leaving wide margins on the right-hand side of your notes.
Things to write in the Wide Margin
Write down questions about points that are unclear to you or require further explanations. These could be simple questions like “What does this mean?” “How does this concept relate to what we learned before?”
Jot down questions that explore deeper understanding such as “What are the implications of this theory?” ‘How could this principle be applied in a real-world scenario?”
List important terms or vocabulary that you need to remember. Use the margin to define or state a question “Define pressure”.
Write brief summaries of complex ideas or procedural steps in a process so that you can quickly review key points later.
Note specific topics or concepts that need more review or areas where you need to seek additional resources or ask for help.
Note page numbers or sources in textbooks or other materials to refer to related information. This helps you easily find supplementary information when you need it.
Create questions that you can use to test your understanding later. For instance, “Can I explain this concept without looking at my notes?”
Why Wide Margin Strategy Works
As you jot down information during a lesson and use the margin to write down questions that come to mind, this practice keeps your brain actively engaged with the material, prompting critical thinking and deeper understanding.
When using the margin to summarise key points, create mind maps or draw diagrams, it ensures you are not passively absorbing information but actively working to fill in gaps in your understanding.
You can maintain a clean, easy-to-follow layout by separating main content from supplementary notes, questions or personal reflections. This separation helps you quickly locate and focus on different types of information during study sessions. Additionally, the structured format aids in clarity, making reading and reviewing your notes easier without feeling overwhelmed by a jumble of information.
Taking effective notes is a skill that can dramatically improve your learning and academic performance. By adopting the wide margin strategy, you not only create a more organized and engaging way to capture information but also foster a deeper understanding and retention of the material. Remember, good notes are more than just words on a page—they are your personal roadmap to mastering any subject.
To support you on this journey, we’re excited to announce our special foolscap giveaway for students who embrace the wide margin strategy! You can also download our wide margin papers for soft copy note-taking, ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed. Keep an eye out for more details and start transforming your note-taking habits today!