{"id":27261,"date":"2016-02-02T12:00:01","date_gmt":"2016-02-02T17:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=27261"},"modified":"2016-02-01T13:50:48","modified_gmt":"2016-02-01T18:50:48","slug":"comically-good-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2016\/02\/02\/comically-good-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"(Comic)ally Good Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Computer. Tablet. Notebook. Photographic memory.<\/strong> <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regardless of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">how<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you do it, we all take notes in some way or another. Some of us may take notes a little less frequently than we should, while others take notes with the frantic detail of a court stenographer. Personal note-taking preferences seem to depend on a couple things: how much of the course is based upon lecture material, how much sleep you got the night before, how neat your handwriting is and if you charged your laptop today. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Taking notes are a huge part of attending lecture and the quality of your notes can sometimes determine how well you will do in a course. The goal is finding that perfect balance between understanding most of the course material as it\u2019s taught and jotting the most pertinent information down before your brain moves onto the next genius thing your prof says. Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to have found that balance. Here are some of the types of note-takers you might know.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Doodler<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This sort of note-taker is miraculously talented enough to somehow \u2018doodle\u2019 penciled creations you couldn\u2019t dream of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> write down all of the prof\u2019s main points. Which, now that you think about it, are really all you needed anyways. You squint to see what you thought was a doodle of a dog, only to realize this guy has done his own rendition of the Mona Lisa. Inspired, you attempt to make a doodle of your own. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">...<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No. Scratch that. Handwritten notes in cursive are about as creative as your margins are going to get. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Pros:<\/i><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Doodler\u2019s notes are one of two things: Heartbreakingly hipster or total pinterest aesthetic. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Cons:<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In the time they spent doodling, you applied to four summer jobs. #$$$<\/span><!--more-->\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_27262\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27262\" style=\"width: 3264px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1627.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-27262\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1627.jpg\" alt=\"A cartoon of a doodler-notetaker drawing in the margins of their handwritten notes and also getting all their notes done. Impossibly, in the last frame you realize they have drawn The Mona Lisa.\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1627.jpg 3264w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1627-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1627-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1627-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3264px) 100vw, 3264px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27262\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\"The Doodler\"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<strong>The A++ Student<\/strong><b> <\/b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This student is a note-taking force to be reckoned with. They have incredible self-discipline while sitting through a three hour lecture and it seems that even the professor\u2019s dad jokes cannot break their focus. While you wonder if anything has happened on Instagram since you checked it fifteen minutes ago, this student is sitting cool as a cucumber and even appears to be <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">enjoying<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the lecture. Do they even have Twitter, and if so <span class=\"_Tgc\">\u2014<\/span> why aren\u2019t they checking it? By the end of class, you have pins and needles in both your legs and they have five pages of well articulated notes and a thesis for an upcoming essay. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sigh. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Pros:<\/i><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The best notes in the entire universe. They are also a mini-celebrity on your class Facebook group. You are 100% sure there is a direct correlation. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<i><strong>Cons<\/strong>:<\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> No room for improvement? Heh. Heh... *Cries*<\/span>\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_27263\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27263\" style=\"width: 3264px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1630.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-27263\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1630.jpg\" alt=\"A cartoon of a student walking to lecture with a bunch of thoughts in her head; &quot;I am going to be early!&quot;, &quot;My laptop is fully charged!&quot; - this student is very prepared. In lecture she is very focused, and in the last frame she receives an A++ grade!\" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1630.jpg 3264w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1630-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1630-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1630-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3264px) 100vw, 3264px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27263\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\"The A++ Student\"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Netflix n\u2019 Note-taker<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This student is never behind on their shows, and by the fourth week of class you\u2019re pretty sure they have access to every version of Netflix that exists worldwide. However, they spend so much time streaming in class that you start to wonder if they even go here. Surely no one at U of T can watch <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">this<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> much Netflix and still pass all their courses...what\u2019s their secret? <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You find out during midterm season: they haven\u2019t taken down a single word since syllabus week. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They also want your notes. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Pros:<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> They get to watch The Office while you try to understand metaphysics.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Cons:<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> They are failing metaphysics.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_27264\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27264\" style=\"width: 3264px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1625.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-27264\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1625.jpg\" alt=\"First Frame: A girl thinking &quot;I will just watch the last 15 minutes Gossip Girl&quot;. 2nd Frame: Girl is in class watching Netflix and not paying attention to the lecture. 3rd Frame: Shows an iMessage chat, with the girl asking for notes &quot;because she was sick&quot;. 4th Frame: The girl gets an F on her midterm. \" width=\"3264\" height=\"2448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1625.jpg 3264w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1625-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1625-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2016\/01\/IMG_1625-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 3264px) 100vw, 3264px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27264\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\"Netflix n' Note-taker\"<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<strong>Me<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I take notes all sorts of ways. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here\u2019s how I break it down:<\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Typed-up Computer Notes:<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I take notes with my computer in classes that are super fast paced. Generally, I bring up the lecture slides (if I have access to them) so I can take screenshots of any detailed diagrams\/photos\/graphs, etc. that might appear on an exam and upload them directly into my notes. Sometimes, when I have extra readings in PDF form, I will copy and paste the readings into my notes so I have a whole week of material in one spot and I can easily refer back to it during lecture\/tutorial. (This trick is especially helpful if you tend to lose track of what readings go with what lecture!)<\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Handwritten Notes<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>:<\/strong> I hand write notes when I know the class is a little on the slow side or if I have a professor who goes off on interesting \u201ctangents.\u201d Don\u2019t get me wrong, I love a good tangent, but it can get a little crazy trying to note every thought your professor has. When I hand write notes, I get picky about what goes on my page which is very helpful during exam season when I\u2019m trying to condense important material. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>\u201cPrinting Lecture Slides\u201d Notes: <\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is my least favourite way of obtaining notes, but it is super helpful in really science-y classes. Printing off lecture slides can save you a lot of time while in lecture, which makes this a great method if you know you have trouble internalizing the information coming at you. Unfortunately, at the end of the semester when I throw out over 100 pages of scribbled on lecture slides <span class=\"_Tgc\">\u2014<\/span> I always get an unmistakable feeling of environment-destroying guilt. \ud83d\ude41 <\/span>\r\n\r\n<em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are so many ways to take notes in class and all sorts of note-takers to observe in lecture to procrastinate taking your own. What kind of note-taker are you? Comment below or let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #UofTNotes! <\/span><\/em>\r\n\r\n<em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the meantime, happy note-taking everyone!<\/span><\/em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Computer. Tablet. Notebook. Photographic memory.<\/strong> <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regardless of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">how<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you do it, we all take notes in some way or another. Some of us may take notes a little less frequently than we should, while others take notes with the frantic detail of a court stenographer. Personal note-taking preferences seem to depend on a couple things: how much of the course is based upon lecture material, how much sleep you got the night before, how neat your handwriting is and if you charged your laptop today. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Taking notes are a huge part of attending lecture and the quality of your notes can sometimes determine how well you will do in a course. The goal is finding that perfect balance between understanding most of the course material as it\u2019s taught and jotting the most pertinent information down before your brain moves onto the next genius thing your prof says. Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to have found that balance. Here are some of the types of note-takers you might know.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong>The Doodler<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This sort of note-taker is miraculously talented enough to somehow \u2018doodle\u2019 penciled creations you couldn\u2019t dream of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> write down all of the prof\u2019s main points. Which, now that you think about it, are really all you needed anyways. You squint to see what you thought was a doodle of a dog, only to realize this guy has done his own rendition of the Mona Lisa. Inspired, you attempt to make a doodle of your own. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">...<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No. Scratch that. Handwritten notes in cursive are about as creative as your margins are going to get. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Pros:<\/i><\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Doodler\u2019s notes are one of two things: Heartbreakingly hipster or total pinterest aesthetic. <\/span>\r\n\r\n<strong><i>Cons:<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In the time they spent doodling, you applied to four summer jobs. #$$$<\/span><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2016\/02\/02\/comically-good-notes\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;(Comic)ally Good Notes&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":267,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6669,58],"tags":[15803,295,6478,13494,486,9529],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27261"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/267"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27261"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27275,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27261\/revisions\/27275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}