Making Notes

I use an iPad so I can carry my notes around with me, without having to bother with lots of different folders. If I get a spare hour in hospital I can make lecture notes wherever I am. I use the Microsoft Notes app which allows you to organise your notes so that they are all quick and easy to access, as well as being able to insert slides/pdfs/pictures to annotate when needed. Writing my notes on an iPad rather than typing my them helped me to remember more efficiently for exams too.

Things t o look for in a not e-m aking app - Ability to move, resize and rotate writing - Highlighter option - GOOD FILING! You want an app that you can easily navigate, and create folders for each module, topic etc. Honestly, makes life so much easier! - Easy exporting: For backing up files onto hard drives - Favourites option: Quickly navigate to the important folders - Infinite page scroll

TOP THREE NOTE-M A KING A PPS of 2021

1. Goodnot es (4.8/ 5 ? ): Can easily import and export pictures & lecture slides, and annotate them with ease. Using this app, I managed to go completely paper-free, as you can even do things like fill out forms with this app. TThere is also a helpful word search tool, for example if you search ?bacteria?the app will show you every note in which you have written ?bacteria? . £7.99 2. Not abilit y (4.8/ 5 ? ): Arguably the most popular app on the app store. Special features include: infinite page scroll and the option for audio note taking. The filing appears to be a little more advanced, as they have dividers. There are more options for ?brush?or ?pen?styles, but personally, unless you? re reallyartistic, it?s not needed. £8.99 3. OneNot e (4.6/ 5 ? ):Unlike the others, this app is free! As it is a Microsoft app, there is better compatibility with other Microsoft products like OneDrive and

SharePoint. Also a password/ touch ID security option - desirable for placement as you have to note down confidential information about patients.

One of the best revision techniques is Active Recall, and flashcards are perfect for this! I personally used Anki (a flashcard app). however other softwares like Quizlet can be equally useful. I'd recommend against paper flash cards however, because it'll be much more time-consuming (no copy-and-paste features!) and you'll end up with thousands (no joke, unfortunately) so it'll be easy to lose them. Making flashcards does take a lot of time and effort, but it is manageable once you get used to it! The best way to keep on top of them is to make them throughout the term, as soon as you do a certain lecture/SGT, so that they don't build up!

Bisam's TOP 3 TIPS for efficient Note-making and Learning

Plan ahead Have list of all the lectures for each modules and tick off each lecture as you go along. This will help you manage your time much better, come revision season. Be efficient Efficiency is very important in Medical School- it is something which you develop over time and often means using the best resources. These are often the ones which mirror your curriculum and often older year notes are excellent in providing a framework to structure notes, with excellent illustrations. Connect Speaking to older years and forging connections will make Med School a lot easier. They all have gone through first year, and will give you note-making and revision tips through their own experiences. Often these tips can open up new perspectives and avenues when approaching revision.

Alternatively, you may be able to find some pre-made flashcard sets online (e.g. Quizlet), or perhaps a generous older student may offer to send you their sets. Just make sure to go through them in detail to ensure that it includes YOUR learning objectives for Birmingham Medicine.

What worksfor learning Anatomy may not work for learning Physiology or for Biochemistry - so don't be afraid to mix up the note-making and revision techniquesyou use for different modules!

Here are some of our best recommendations on where to go when you need a place to study! NB this year there may be additional restrictions so please refer to library services intranet, where you can book a library seat for the day! - The Doug Ellis on the main floor of the Med School is great but it can get VERYbusy and loud so arrive early if you want to bag a space - Explore all the floors of the Barnes library to see which one suits you. (Warning: not all booths have accessible sockets so make sure to look for sockets before sitting down if you're working on a laptop!) There are also study rooms available in the Barnes library if you want somewhere for a group to work, just ask at the library desk - On the first floor of the Barnes library there is an Anatomy room full of models, go to the main library desk to ask to go in here. Only 4 people are allowed in at a time and you can only book an hour at a time. If you want more time in here then just keep popping down to the main desk every hour to re-new your 'rent' . - The Computer Cluster is great if you need access to a computer and printing. It does get quite noisy, but there are some dedicated 'Quiet' areas if you need to really focus! - If you want somewhere to work after 6pm then you can ask to have the keys to a CM room, just go to the security office next to the swipe gates into Med School and they'll give you a key in exchange for your

ID card. - Just because you're based in Med School is doesn't mean that you have to stay there to work. You're welcome to work anywhere on campus. Why not try the Main Library in the heart of campus? - The Costa Coffee on campus has a downstairs area that's perfect for getting your head down with a coffee.

It has lots of computers too if the computer cluster is full.