On Note-taking.

Every time I take a course or read a book, I notice that I take excessive notes. I underline, highlight, write nearly as much as the book itself. And every single time I think about how obsessive my behavior is, but I can hardly change it. The entire point of taking notes is to highlight what's important: what may be on a test, what you'd like to remember for the future, anything that might be useful. So why do I highlight so much? I have two theories, and they both mostly revolve around memory.

First is what would amount to test anxiety. I'm afraid that if I leave anything at all out, I'll miss the important bit and fail the whole class or miss the point of the whole book. Of course, I don't think that's actually true but on some level, the odds are in its favor. I feel like I'm not going to remember my thoughts by the time I get to the next chapter and then what if I want to make an argument based on the whole book?

Secondly, I am an autodidact and I want to remember everything, so I figure the muscle memory of writing it down will help my recall. Or if not, the topic will be close at hand in a handy notebook, or my thoughts on a piece will have been recorded. Many people have this desire -- to be a walking encyclopedia, to retain everything you read and be able to speak intelligently on any topic you study. I just want to learn the material thoroughly and not forget it when I pick up something else.

 So what to do when you have a book full of underlines, a notebook full of notes? How is that any easier than having a blank book? Well, in the case of the notebook -- something is better than nothing, although it will still be quite the challenge to find what's necessary. However, the second one closes a notebook, it often ends up sitting on the shelf for years in its exact state. As for texts, sifting through one riddled with underlines is much the same as sifting through a brand new book with no markers of importance at all.

Solutions:
I thought it wouldn't be fair to myself to withhold from trying to come up with a solution.

For the first problem, instead of taking "notes," I ought to write brief summaries every now and then. At the end of each chapter if possible, or every few paragraphs. Whenever I feel I have a grasp on the material. That way I have a better idea of what might be important and I can turn the material over in my head, which will help me learn it better as well.

Secondly, I need to start reading closer and deeper the first time around. I need to meditate on the text, turn it around in my head and think about it from every possible point of view. Question it, read between the lines. Look at the syntax and diction. Form an opinion on different aspects of the text. I'm getting better at doing this, but it takes a lot of time and practice.


Maybe if I keep talking about it, it will start to come together. I hope so. Copying entire lectures and reading assignments is really harmful to my learning because I don't really digest the words that I copy -- I read superficially as I copy and that's no bueno.

Anyone else have similar problems?