college · college bound · college survival · education · learning · note taking · university ·Jul 04, 2018

Note Taking Tips That Help Make the Grade

It's Important to Take Notes

Students have access to so many resources, so taking notes while in high school may have been like speaking another language. The truth is, college and boarding school is vastly different from what they may be used to. Those courses that used to be a one-minute review will probably become a thing of the past. Here are a few reasons why taking good notes matters:

Improves focus
Enhances attention span
Helps with comprehension
Promotes retention
Teaches prioritization
Improves organization
Enhances creativity

There are apps that can help. Let's face it - even though as parents we recommend they use a notebook, tablet or laptop, many students turn to apps to get the job done. Why? Conventional teaching and learning has evolved, and this may be more comfortable for them. With everything accessible at the swipe of a finger, being able to recommend the ones that can help them be more productive is key. These five apps have continuously been at the top of the list. They are free, but some of them also have paid versions with more features:

Evernote (web, desktop, iOS Android)
One Note (web, Windows desktop, Mac, iOS, Android)
Google Keep (web, iOS, Android)
Simplenote (iOS, Mac, Windows, Kindle, web, Linux)
Zoho Notebook (iOS, Android, Mac)

These are just a few tips to share that can help your student manage their workload and transition a little better. These apps may work well for you too! Share with your student and a friend - they'll thank you for it later.