1. MAKING NOTES
There are several ways you can make notes
(a) writing by hand - this is your safest bet and a must for maths and practice essays and exams
(b) typing - this is useful if syllabus dotpoints e.g. chemistry, economics. Would recommend OneNote for class notes, and Word for anything that requires large amounts of text or tables or nicer formatting such as for summaries
(c) recording audio - depends on whether your teacher talks a lot; can be useful especially to get missed bits. Should be complimented with a written method.
(d) mind mapping - creating small memory flash cards or mind maps to summarise key ideas, topics or to brainstorm is a useful tool for history subjects and languages
(e) use someone else's - not recommended to use just one source, use at least three to be safe
(f) photographing someone else's book - the only time I did this was because I was away for so many lessons, it has mixed results for effectiveness, although it is more effective than audio recordings usually
most effective way depends on
(a) teacher - some teachers give many sheets, if they are useful ones, I suggest a binder folder. I wouldn't personally recommend loose leaf as you are likely to lose pages. OneNote is a good one to use for class notes, though it has its disadvantages and limitations (which can be overcome in Word)
(b) subject - if your subject requires lots of writing, type it. If it requires drawing diagrams and (you can't find a decent quality one) write it by hand. for for maths don't bother typing your notes it takes too much time. for some subjects it is best to write class notes by hand (or typed - chemistry is best typed) and then type up summaries and then print double-sides 2 to a page.
fonts:
pick one that is readable except Calibri. Font size 10 Segoe UI is my preference. Other fonts that work well include Century Gothic, Verdana and Arial.
colours:
use colours in your notes to highlight key concepts, words. Use boxes, bold text.
2. STUDY TIMETABLE
Divide your day into slots, 90/120 minutes is your best bet since past papers can then take 2 sessions.
The most important thing is to stick to your timetable. Number each session and allocate depending on homework/assessment demands the time required. impose necessary restrictions (no music/technology in certain sessions)
You can study on the train if you travel for long distances. Only use music in minimal sessions (such as first thing in the morning to get you motivated etc.), or when there are lot of background noise which you can't avoid.
Pick a place where you can close off everything else. Make sure to take regular 15-20 min breaks every 90 minutes i.e. between sessions (except if during practice exam) , I'd recommend a larger break of 75 minutes in the middle of the day around lunch and 45 min for dinner and breakfast must not be skipped.
If I had stuck entirely to my timetable during holidays, I would have got 7+ hours of study. Ignore the nonsense of only doing a certain amount. Do as much as you are willing/able to without exhausting/pushing yourself too hard.
