Making sense of your Notes

For middle school learners, this skill can be the game-changer between cramming the night before and walking into an exam feeling prepared. Let’s break down the why, the how, and the what of effective note-taking—and how parents and educators can help students develop this often-overlooked academic superpower.

Why Note-Taking Matters

According to Erin Stapleton-Corcoran (2019), note-taking is about more than just recording information—it's about processing it. When students actively engage with what they're hearing, they begin to filter, structure, and internalise key ideas. Stapleton-Corcoran's research shows that middle school learners who practise intentional note-taking improve their recall, critical thinking, and even writing fluency. And it's not just about what's on the page. The Teaching + Learning Lab at MIT takes this a step further: they advocate for "sense-making over note-taking." That means encouraging students to focus less on capturing every word and more on understanding the concepts behind them. When learners reframe note-taking as an active conversation with the material, they become better problem-solvers and more independent thinkers.

Different Note-Taking Methods for Different Minds

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all note-taking method. Some learners thrive on structure, while others benefit from flexibility and visuals. Here are two tried-and-tested techniques:

The Cornell Method

This method divides the page into three sections: cues, notes, and summary.
During the lesson, students jot down notes in the main section.
After class, they add keywords or questions in the cue column and summarise the main ideas at the bottom.
Why it works: It reinforces learning after class and promotes critical thinking.

The Outline Method

This is a hierarchical way of capturing information using bullet points and indentations.
Main ideas go on the left, supporting details are indented underneath.
Why it works: It helps students visually organise information and see connections between ideas.

Other students may benefit from visual mapping (like mind maps), colour coding, or digital tools that allow for audio + visual pairing. The key is to find what works and stick with it long enough to build fluency.

How Parents and Teachers Can Support Better Note-Taking

Model it : Whether it’s planning the grocery list or outlining ideas for a class project, show learners how you take notes in real life.
Practise it : Incorporate note-taking practice into study sessions. Ask: "What was the main idea here? What’s worth remembering?"
Reflect on it : Encourage students to revisit their notes, identify patterns, and summarise what they’ve learned in their own words.

From Passive to Powerful

Note-taking isn’t about copying information. It’s about owning it. When learners are taught how to listen actively, process ideas, and organise them meaningfully, they develop skills that stretch far beyond the classroom. At StudyChamp, we believe that confident learners aren’t born—they’re built, one smart habit at a time. And note-taking? That’s one of the smartest there is.

References:

Stapleton-Corcoran, E. (2019). Developing Study Skills in Middle School Students. Journal of Educational Psychology.
Teaching + Learning Lab at MIT. (2020). Sense-Making Over Note-Taking. MIT OpenCourseWare.
Shore, J. (2025). Encouraging Students to Use Notes for Sense-Making. Edutopia

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Woman writing math equations on a chalkboard, holding a notebook, with a thought bubble of the pi symbol.

Preparing for Maths Assessments

By Estelle Barnard • October 22, 2025

Mathematics rewards practice with purpose: spaced revision, plenty of self-testing, making notes, checking with feedback, and calm, consistent routines. Below you’ll find exactly how to do this at different stages of school. The Big Three for All Learners Space it out Short, regular sessions beat last-minute marathons. Plan 20–40 minute slots across the week and revisit topics before you forget them. This is known as the spacing effect (Cepeda et al., 2008). Retrieve, don’t just reread Close the book and try to solve or recall from memory. Use past questions, quick quizzes, and “write-from-memory” summaries. Retrieval practice strengthens long-term learning, especially when you check your answers (Roediger & Butler, 2011). Think about your thinking Teach learners to plan, monitor, and evaluate how they study. Simple questions like, “What will I practise today? How will I know I’ve improved?” turn revision from passive to purposeful (EEF, 2018). Primary School (Grades 4–7) Goals Build number sense and fluency (times tables, fractions, decimals). Understand why methods work, not just how to perform them. Study Rhythm Mon/Wed/Fri: 20 min mixed practice (across old and new topics). Tue/Thu: 20 min facts fluency (typically something like time tables or fractions) Weekend: 25–30 min “Teach-Back” session: learner explains one concept aloud (e.g. “How do we find a common denominator?”). High School (Grades 8–12) Goals Strengthen algebraic fluency, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. Build exam stamina and the ability to select appropriate methods. Exam Preparation Plan Weeks –4 to –3: Cover all topics and create a spaced schedule. Weeks –3 to –2: Attempt past-paper sections; very important to check with detailed memos. Prepare an error log of frequent mistakes. Weeks –2 to –1: Interleave topics and focus more on challenging topics (e.g., trig, functions, geometry). Final Week: Short, focused recall sessions from your “error log.” The Value of Writing Your Own Notes and Step-by-Step Summaries One of the most effective yet overlooked study habits is summarising key procedures in your own words . Mathematics is full of repeatable processes: simplifying fractions, expanding algebraic expressions, finding derivatives using first principles, or completing the square in a quadratic equation. Writing out the steps helps learners form mental blueprints they can rely on in tests. Why this works Research shows that encoding information through writing and explaining strengthens understanding and recall (Dunlosky et al., 2013; MIT Teaching + Learning Lab, 2020). When learners create their own step-by-step summaries: They engage in sense-making, not just copying. They uncover misconceptions early. They connect formulas with reasoning (“why does this step come next?”). They create a quick reference guide for revision. Examples: Simplifying fractions: Find common factors → Divide numerator and denominator → Check if it can simplify further. Completing the square: Divide so that x squared stands on its own →Take the constant term to the right-hand side →Add half of the coefficient of x squared to both sides → Factorise the left-hand side to form a perfect square → Simplify and solve for x. Visualisation and Trigonometry Trigonometry can be tricky until you visualise how angles behave on the Cartesian plane . Remember: in trigonometry, angles are measured from the positive x-axis , moving anticlockwise for positive angles and clockwise for negative ones. (See the labelled diagram above, showing where each trigonometric ratio is positive or negative, including the reduction formulae.) Using StudyChamp Resources Effectively StudyChamp’s detailed memos and step-by-step worked examples make maths study easier: Compare your solution to the memo. Highlight key reasoning steps. Add the process to your “Maths Procedures Notebook”. By exam time, that notebook becomes your own personalised study guide: practical, and written in your own words. References Cepeda, N. J., et al. (2008). Spacing effects in learning: A temporal ridgeline of optimal retention. Psychological Science, 19(11). Dunlosky, J., et al. (2013). Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning Guidance Report. Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1). MIT Teaching + Learning Lab. (2020). Note-Taking and Sense-Making Strategies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.