Last week, in my “Weeks of Hell” post I mentioned meta-notes. This is my own term, I’m sure someone out there has a better one, but “meta” means above or beyond and so it works here. Essentially, meta-notes are much like the study sheets I discussed before as it is a consolidation of the information you need to know.
What’s the difference?
Well, meta-notes are “notes about notes.” They are essentially those bits of information you’ll need for essays and exams picked out of the vast array of notes you take from class and texts. If it sounds a bit complicated (because it’s really not), let me give you an example:
You’ve been studying the fall of the Roman Empire for six weeks. You’ve got thirty pages of notes and there is just absolutely no way for you to sit around and memorize all of it. This is where meta-notes comes in handy. Meta-notes are all about lists, definitions and dates - you go through your notes and consolidate down, for instance:
“Reasons for the Fall of the Roman Empire”
- “Barbarian” hordes attacking edges of empire
- Lack of new conquests resulting in diminishing treasury and ability to hire soldiers
- Corruption and inept rulers
- etc.
You’d also want to go through, picking out any names, places or dates and like-wise organizing them as such along with a brief explanation. I know I, for one, don’t generally have a problem remembering the wide swathe of information, but the details kill me. Meta-notes are useful because it allows you to focus on the specifics. And I don’t need to tell you how important specifics are to exams and papers.
As to when to create your meta-notes, much like the study sheet, it is best to do them as you gain the information - though you can always do it at the last minute, as well. I try to “process” my notes at least once a week (though I try for daily)- where I go through and pick this information out, look up material or references I’m not familiar with, etc. By the time the exam comes, I’m ready.
For more information along these lines:
From Scholastici.us
Outside Sources
08/10/2007 at 9:47 am Permalink
I do something similar for classes that either: (A) I know will involve short answer or essay tests and/or (B) WIll involve identification of dates, terms, people.
For instance in my Psych class the test is 70% short answer essays. If you pay attention to your notes you will find that you can break an entire day of notes into 3 or 4 possible questions. That’s what I do, try to find the possible essay questions out of the days material, write them out, and answer them to study later. That helps me keeps everything in perspective. I also go through an make flash cards for anything that could probably be a identification i.e. names, important dates, places, laws/treaties/plans etc.I haven’t found a way around brute force memorization for those.
08/10/2007 at 9:53 am Permalink
Very nice suggestion!
I’m going to have to start a “best comment round-up” sort of thing around here, I’m getting a lot of great info in the comments.
09/10/2007 at 2:17 am Permalink
Hi Guys, cool concept, very effective but can be easier to achieve and easier to retrieve. For a seriously useful toolbox, check out the book on passing exams. No rocket science, just basic, common sense, easily applied techniques….www.passingexams.net
09/10/2007 at 5:32 am Permalink
May I second that? Riley’s suggestion is very useful. Hadn’t ever considered it that way. Thanks for sharing it.