When it comes to studying, the dreaded textbook can be more helpful than you think, that’s if you know how take notes effectively from it. In other words, reading paragraph after paragraph is no way to study for an exam.
While reading chapters from a textbook may help understand the material better, it’s important that you learn how to take notes from a textbook to not only memorize the information but also understand it as well.
Here are some tips on how to take notes from a textbook:
- Use brief words or phrases to help memorize and retain sets of information.
- Write and read your notes out loud - this will aid in memorization.
- Refer to topics or questions you want more clarification on.
- Focus on bolded words or topics.
- Reference diagrams that help summarize the information and also create flow charts and/or illustrations.
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If there are questions at the end of the chapter, review and answer them to help highlight important aspects.
- Create an outline using your the notes from your textbook and incorporate your class notes, to bring your outline full circle.
- Organize your outline into sections and leave space within those sections for add future detail/extra notes.
- Use brief yet descriptive phrases for concepts that act as trigger words.
- Circle, star or highlight key concepts with different colors to help provide emphasis.
Have a tip that isn’t mentioned here? Leave a comment and tell us about it!
For other sources on how to effectively take notes from a textbook, check out:
- Tooling and Studying: Effective Reading and Note-Taking
- How to Take Book Notes
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