Ways of studying

I read over my lecture notes and books, then make up my own notes as a combination of them both so they're more comprehensive and make sense to me.

I am doing a p/t OU degree, this link is one that i use for note taking tips.
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/notes.html

Out of interest what course are you doing and what are you learning your notes for?

I did a science degree and found that I did not have to learn everything to pass my exams, so some stuff I left. I also found that redrawing diagrams over and over helped me learn them.

Oh I found mind maps useful - helped me understand. You put ideas and concepts into boxes and the label links between the concepts such as produces, causes etc etc

When I was doing my degree and taking lots of exams I made a precis of each section of notes, using bullet points. I then condensed that onto flash cards, with key words. I'd carry these with me and run through them several times a day, especially just before exams.

For rote learning, devising mnemonics is good, e.g. using acroyms (FACE for spaces on a treble clef, etc.), diagrams (mind maps, flow charts, 'models'), use cloze procedure (missing key words in paragraphs) to name but a few.

I also used to record my notes on tape and play them as I was driving, but these were too relaxing to be very effective!

My other strategy was to have a go at essay or exam questions, and to write notes as to how I would answer them. When I'd done that, I'd go back to my original notes/text books to check I'd incorporated everything I could.

Rereading notes is really not a very good way of learning, as it is too passive. The best way of learning is to do something active and apply the information.

I find one of the best ways is to get as many old exam papers as possible and loads of tutorial questions and go through them. Then go through them again. Once you can answer them without refferring to your notes you'll any exam a breeze.