Teacher, I Haven’t Finished Writing!: The New Lifer’s Guide to Taking Notes
Note: This article was written with the sole purpose of humoring its readers and is in no way intended to offend anyone.
When a teacher asks students to submit their notes, it sounds like a simple requirement, supposedly not needing too much effort. After all, all students have to do is show what they have learned in written form. However, once it’s time for submission, it is only common practice to first compare with classmates to see how one might be faring. Throughout this process, students are left amazed by the collection of diverse and striking writing layouts all based on the same topic! This remarkable showcase is made possible by the imaginative ways students demonstrate an integral skill called note-taking. With its beauty lying in its vastly creative nature, note-taking has become one of the most crucial elements of a student’s academic success. This simple skill reveals a lot about a person, perhaps beyond what many would realize.
1. The Slide Copier
Unbeknownst to most parents, teaching their children to write not only imparts to them the ability to shape letters or form words but also leaves them with another skill—copying. When students are first introduced to note-taking, they are often guided by teachers who not-so-discreetly emphasize the details that are likely to appear on future quizzes. That is, until teachers start expecting them to learn independence, keeping the test questions an agonizing mystery. Nonetheless, students have adopted a foolproof solution. Rather than endlessly wondering which bullet point or phrase should be noted down, it is much more practical to power through every sentence and letter flashed on the screen, ensuring that no word is left unwritten.
2. The Aesthetic Writer
In the eyes of these dedicated artists, notes must not only reflect personal learnings but provide a sense of pure satisfaction as well. Known for their stunning subject headers and calligraphy font styles, these note-takers would go the extra ten miles to ensure their layouts are eye-catching and delicately arranged. As they switch between pens, pencils, and highlighters, plus washi tapes galore, their stash of stationery is never put to waste. One can only wonder how they find the time to draft intricate designs and jot down comprehensive notes all at the same time.
3. The Doodler
These writers couldn’t be more at a loss for words; at times, words don’t even exist in their notebooks. Rather than being fueled by caffeine, these students are kept awake by concentrating on keeping their hands in motion, attempting their best to appear deeply invested in the ongoing discussion. From geometric patterns to full-on character portraits, anyone would be astonished by how such drawings emerge from a lesson of the Earth’s rotation.
4. The Tech User
Transitioning into their last few years as New Lifers, gadgets become the most integral weapon for this clan of note-takers dominated by Senior High School students. With apps like Notion, Google Docs, and other handy gadget extensions, these adept tech users have no reason to worry about losing their notes or being too slow in jotting down details. When in doubt, the option to swiftly shift to a phone or iPad’s camera is always within reach.
Notes have evolved from a mere way of understanding topics to a method of self-expression. It’s always fascinating to discover how a single lecture sparks inspiration in each student differently. Whether one’s notes were neatly organized or taken over by a whirlwind of ideas, every line, word, or doodle etched on a page is of utmost value. After all, what matters is that we find the method most suited to our unique ways of navigating complex lessons and finding joy in learning.
