Simple Strategies: How to Organize Notes for First Year Study Assignments
Organizing your notes
After collecting your notes, re-read them and notice the similarity between notes. Organizing notes is simply putting the similar notes together into groups.
In business there is an affinity diagram that has post it notes where ideas are noted and then grouped together.
There are many ways you can group your notes by topic, choose the structure that you think will make the best fit towards writing a story.
To aid organizing notes there are graphical organizers that students can use.
There are many online that are available, although previous students always favored choosing the ice-cream design seen in the example.
Grouping similar notes is part of an affinity diagram used in design in business
Grouping similar notes can be aided by using a graphical organizer, such as this version of our example
Graphical Organizers
There are many graphical organizers but our student’s favorite is the image of the ice-cream. Students can group their notes into one of the four layers.
In this example we consider our home country, province and/or city.
Suggestions like what to do, where to go and what to eat can give us ideas of what we would suggest to a visitor to our home area.
Dream Holiday
Another method to give us ideas to organize is to answer questions about our dream holiday.
Think about your dream holiday and chose your:
- Destination
- Activities
- Companions
- Accommodation
- Food
- Sightseeing
- Memories
Example: Visit Japan
Destination: I would love to visit Japan. Exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo, admiring the cherry blossoms in Kyoto, and experiencing the serenity of traditional Japanese ryokans are all on my bucket list.
Activities: I would immerse myself in the culture by attending a traditional tea ceremony, learning to make sushi from a master chef, and trying my hand at calligraphy. Additionally, I’d love to hike through picturesque landscapes and relax in natural hot springs.
Companions: I would bring my family along on my dream vacation because sharing these unforgettable experiences with them would make the trip even more special.
Accommodation: I would stay in a luxurious beachfront villa with panoramic ocean views and a private infinity pool. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature and having all the comforts of home would make my dream vacation truly unforgettable.
Food: Authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, and wagyu beef. Exploring local markets and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants would be a culinary adventure of a lifetime.
Sightseeing: I would visit iconic landmarks such as Mount Fuji, the historic temples of Kyoto, and the bustling streets of Shibuya Crossing. Experiencing the blend of tradition and modernity in Japan would be great.
Memories: I hope to return home with cherished memories, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and traditions. My dream vacation would inspire me and leave a lasting impact on my life.
How would you answer these questions:
- Who would you take or like to meet during your dream vacation?
- What would be the ultimate experience during your dream vacation?
- What once-in-a-lifetime experience would you like to happen during your dream vacation?
How about a festival? Where in the world would you like to go to experience a festival or special event?
Consider the answers to these questions about your dream holiday:
- Where would you go on your dream holiday?
- What activities would you do?
- Who would you bring along?
- Where would you stay?
- What type of food would you like to try?
- What landmarks or attractions would you visit?
- What do you hope to take away from your dream holiday?
Examples and Worksheets
return to the 9 stages of completing an assignment
return to the home page for the Pre-Sessional English Course