When we read or learn something new, our brain tends to forget 75% of it within a couple of days. As evident, we are terrible at remembering things, and thus the need of writing notes arises. Maintaining notes for a subject enhances and solidifies our learning of it. Re-reading these notes augments our memory. However, maths notes might sound peculiar to most because of the nature of the subject. As tedious as it sounds, it’s a crucial and fairly simple process. Here’s how you can guide your child’s note-taking strategy and help them prepare to their best capabilities.  

Importance of Good Notes

Besides the obvious preparatory perks, maintaining study notes is a good idea which is highly beneficial:

  • It increases comprehension and understanding of the subject material.
  • It improves one’s ability and capacity to focus. Writing down concepts, in class or study sessions, raises attention span and lets the student concentrate well.
  • It helps students to quickly recap and revise studied material. This comes in handy for lengthy topics such as Calculus and Algebra.
  • It fosters an active learning process rather than passive reading and listening.
  • It helps to organize information, provide structure to it and consolidate it in one place for easier review.
  • It boosts retention and recall during preparation. This results in better performance in final exams and higher grades.

Types of Note Writing

There are plenty of note-taking systems out there. Here are the 5 most common and functional methods to write maths notes:

  • The Outline Method: One of the simplest and most natural methods involves jotting down key points of the topic. Multiple bullet points are added as one continues to learn new details about it. For instance, all the maths formulas of a specific topic and subtopics can be added on a single page for quick revision.
  • The Boxing Method: A delight for visual learners, this method involves dividing and connecting facts and figures through different boxes. Different topics can be combined through this method. It works best in the form of digital notes, where you can resize and move the boxes around.
  • The Charting Method: Rows and columns are used to chart down the study material in a table or spreadsheet. This makes information easy to structure, compare, review and memorize. One can even chart down their Maths syllabus to prepare a solid study plan for different topics.
  • The Mind Map: This method works wonders to understand interconnecting topics. The major topic is written in the middle, and its subtopics are branched out in nodes. Each node can further branch out to various sub-points. This method helps in memorizing the formulas efficiently.
  • The Cornell Method: A tried and tested method which involves dividing the page into a set format. There is a top row for the heading and date, two columns: Cue & Notes; and a bottom column to summarise all the information. For instance, the topic ‘Geometry: transversals’ will be written in the top column. Its formulas and facts can be noted in the left row, in brief, while the solved questions can be written in the right row. In the end, summarise the topic’s key points in the last horizontal column.

Strategies to Write Effective Notes

  • Cover the syllabus first. Students should note down the syllabus of the whole subject in a comprehensive manner to begin their yearly preparation. The syllabus can be divided into different units and topics. All the notes should be organized in a similar order for ease of access.
  • Formula and its development The age-old question, ‘how to remember maths formulas’ plagues every student. To understand, apply and memorize them, students need to comprehend their basis, origin and development. For this purpose, the use of Mindmaps is highly popular. Charts and tables can also be used for multiple revisions.
  • Solved examples Maths is a practical and objective subject, it needs plenty of practice. Besides the theoretical portion, make sure students add multiple examples of each problem in the notes. Solved questions using a variety of techniques will help them learn the process during revision and practice.
  • Different notes for classes and preparation Make sure your child makes rough notes in each maths class, rewrite them neatly for a final compilation. This will ensure that they don’t miss any significant part of the topic as it is being taught. Moreover, it will consolidate all the data in one place and make preparation for exams a cakewalk.
  • Tables and Cheat Sheets Some topics of Maths encompasses a multitude of facts, properties, functions and common errors. Students should compile such important information in a couple of sheets for quick revision. One can take the help of online resources, study guides or their tutors to create such cheat sheets for different topics.
  • Regular Review and Edit After each class or tutoring session, students should review and edit their notes. They can compare their notes with other students as well to add missing or additional data. Weekly or monthly revision of notes should also be encouraged. Multiple revisions of the notes before exams keep students’ memory refreshed.
  • Use of Colours and Sticky Notes Different coloured pens or highlighters can be used in notes to divide information and mark the key portions. For instance, one can write all formulas in red and the rest with a black pen in their ATAR notes. If they want to learn the formula, they can solely focus on the red coloured portion of the text. Sticky notes can be used for writing a summary or adding missing details to the notes.

Writing and reviewing your notes provide some extra support to tackle this tricky subject. Now that you are aware of the importance and the best way to take notes, it’s time to help your child delve in. Our tutors at EzyMath can further make the job easy for you. We teach the students how to study maths effectively, prepare notes, practice consistently and excel in the exam! You can find the best tutor for your child today!  

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