Note-taking is an important skill for college students to learn. It can help you to stay organised, retain information, and study effectively.

There are many different note-taking methods, and the best method for you will depend on your individual learning style and preferences. Here are some popular note-taking methods for college students:

• Cornell method: The Cornell method is a popular note-taking method that divides your notes into three sections: the cue column, the notes column, and the summary column. The cue column is for keywords or phrases, the notes column is for the main points of the lecture, and the summary column is for a brief overview of the lecture.
• Outline method: The outline method is another popular note-taking method that organises your notes in a hierarchical structure. The main points of the lecture are listed at the top of the outline, and the supporting details are listed below each main point.
• Mapping method: The mapping method is a visual note-taking method that uses images and symbols to represent the main points of the lecture. This method can be helpful for students who are visual learners.
• Sketchnoting: Sketchnoting is a type of visual note-taking that combines images, text, and symbols to create a visual representation of the lecture. This method can be helpful for students who are visual learners and who want to make their notes more memorable.
• Digital note-taking: Digital note-taking is a popular option for college students who want to take their notes on a laptop or tablet. There are many different digital note-taking apps available, so you can choose one that fits your needs.

No matter which note-taking method you choose, it is important to be consistent and to practise regularly. The more you practise, the better you will become at taking notes.

Useful Resources

   Note Taking Nearpod

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   Cornell Method Template

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   Charting Method Template

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   Coggle - A useful mindmapping tool

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Referencing is the practice of acknowledging the sources of information, ideas, or data that you use in your work. When you include information from other authors, whether it’s a direct quote, paraphrased idea, or specific data, you need to provide proper credit. This helps avoid plagiarism and shows the depth of your research.

Purposes of Referencing:

1. Credibility: It lends credibility to your work by showing that your arguments are based on research.

2. Avoiding plagiarism: Proper referencing ensures that you’re giving credit to the original authors.

3. Allowing further research: References guide readers to the sources for further reading.

4. Supporting your arguments: Citing authoritative sources strengthens your arguments.

Common Referencing Styles:

• APA (American Psychological Association)

• MLA (Modern Language Association)

• Harvard (Author-Date System)

• Chicago (Notes and Bibliography)

Useful Resources

   Harvard Referencing

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   Harvard Referencing Guide

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Presentation skills are essential for effectively conveying ideas, building confidence, and engaging audiences. Whether in a business meeting, classroom, or social setting, strong presentation skills can influence decisions and foster better understanding. They also enhance professional credibility and open up career opportunities.

Key Tips for Strong Presentations:

• Know Your Audience: Tailor your content and delivery to match their interests and knowledge level.
• Practice and Rehearse: Regular practice builds confidence and reduces anxiety.
• Engage with Eye Contact: Maintaining eye contact helps establish trust and keeps the audience connected.
• Use Visual Aids Wisely: Visuals should support, not overwhelm, your message.
• Control Your Pace: Speak clearly and vary your tone to maintain interest.
• Invite Interaction: Encourage questions or discussion to foster engagement and feedback.

Useful Resources

   Presentation Skills Nearpod

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   Tips for Presentations

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Revision Skills:

1. Create a Revision Schedule:

• Plan Ahead: Start revising well before the exam date to avoid cramming.

• Prioritise Topics: Identify the most important or difficult subjects to focus on first.

• Break it into Manageable Chunks: Study in short, focused periods (e.g., 25-30 minutes), with regular breaks in between to maintain concentration and prevent burnout.
 

2. Active Learning:

• Summarise: After reading, summarize key concepts in your own words to reinforce understanding.

• Teach Someone Else: Explaining a concept to someone else helps solidify your grasp of it.

• Mind Maps and Diagrams: Visual aids can help you organise and remember complex ideas.
 

3. Practice Retrieval:

• Past Papers: Complete past exam papers or sample questions to familiarize yourself with the format and timing.

• Self-Testing: Quiz yourself on key topics, either by using flashcards, apps, or setting up quizzes with peers.

• Spaced Repetition: Review information at gradually increasing intervals to strengthen long-term retention.
 

4. Understand Your Learning Style:

• Visual Learners: Use diagrams, charts, or videos to visualise concepts.

• Auditory Learners: Record lectures or your own notes to listen to them again.

• Kinesthetic Learners: Engage in hands-on learning activities like building models or performing experiments.
 

5. Stay Organised:

• Revision Notes: Keep well-organised notes that are easy to access and review.

• Subject Breakdown: Break down each subject into key topics and subtopics to ensure you cover everything.

• Color-Coding: Use colours, highlighters, and sticky notes to differentiate between ideas or importance levels.
 

6. Rest and Well-Being:

• Take Breaks: Regular breaks (e.g., 5-10 minutes after 30 minutes of study) boost focus and memory.

• Sleep: Ensure adequate rest, especially before an exam, as sleep helps with memory consolidation.

• Stay Active: Regular exercise can improve concentration and reduce stress during revision.

Exam Skills:

1. Read the Instructions Carefully:

• Before starting: Read through the exam paper instructions and each question to understand what is required. Misinterpreting questions can lead to lost marks.
 

2. Time Management:

• Plan Your Time: Allocate your time based on the marks available for each section or question.

• Answer Easy Questions First: This boosts your confidence and ensures you secure easy marks before tackling more difficult questions.

• Leave Time to Review: Reserve the last 5-10 minutes for checking your answers, correcting errors, or adding details.
 

3. Answering Questions:

• Structure Your Answers: For essay questions, organize your response into a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

• Use Keywords: In short-answer questions, focus on using key terms that directly address what the question is asking.

• Show Your Work: For math or science exams, show all steps in your calculations, as you may receive partial credit even if your final answer is incorrect.
 

4. Stay Calm Under Pressure:

• Breathe: If you feel anxious during the exam, take a few deep breaths to relax.

• Don’t Panic: If you come across a difficult question, move on to others and return to it later.

• Focus on One Question at a Time: Avoid worrying about the whole paper at once. Concentrate on answering the current question to the best of your ability.

Useful Resources

   Revision Test Resource 1

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   Managing Exam Stress

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   How to manage your time in an exam

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   Exam Planner Template

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Curation is the process of selecting, organising, and presenting information in a way that is meaningful and relevant to a specific audience. It is a skill that is essential for college students, as they will be required to curate information for their coursework, presentations, and other projects.

Here are some of the benefits of curation for college students:

• Improved critical thinking: Curation requires students to think critically about the information they find. They need to evaluate the information, determine its relevance, and decide how to present it.
• Developed new skills: Curation can help students develop new skills, such as research, writing, and presentation. These skills are essential for success in college and beyond.
• Increased productivity: Curation can help students save time and be more productive. When students curate information, they can avoid having to search for information repeatedly.
• Enhanced learning: Curation can help students learn more effectively. When students curate information, they are forced to think about the information in a more in-depth way.
• Improved communication: Curation can help students improve their communication skills. When students curate information, they need to be able to communicate the information in a clear and concise way.

It is a great way to improve your critical thinking skills, save time, and be more productive.

Useful Resources

   Curation category test resource

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   Curation Tips

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Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally about information. It involves evaluating information, identifying assumptions, and drawing conclusions. Critical thinking is an important skill for college students to develop, as they will be required to think critically about the information they are learning.

Here are some of the key aspects of critical thinking that college students should develop:

• Analysing information: Critical thinkers are able to analyse information by identifying the main points, supporting evidence, and assumptions. They are also able to identify fallacies in reasoning.
• Evaluating information: Critical thinkers are able to evaluate information by considering the source, purpose, and bias of the information. They are also able to assess the credibility of the information.
• Drawing conclusions: Critical thinkers are able to draw conclusions by considering all of the available evidence. They are also able to identify the limitations of their conclusions.
• Problem-solving: Critical thinkers are able to solve problems by identifying the problem, brainstorming solutions, and evaluating the solutions.
• Decision-making: Critical thinkers are able to make decisions by considering the options, weighing the pros and cons, and choosing the best option.

By employing critical thinking, individuals can evaluate information objectively, consider multiple perspectives, and analyse complex situations more effectively. It enables them to identify underlying assumptions, uncover biases, and assess the credibility and relevance of data and evidence.

Useful Resources

   Critical Thinking test item

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   Tips to develop your critical thinking

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   Test file. Can be deleted.

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