#learning help

Hello

I am of (stolen gen) Wiradjuri decent.

I feel that my people's culture, connection, and community has been ripped from my grasp before I even got to inherit it.

I want to learn the Wiradjuri language, help keep it alive but I need some help. Tips, advice, resource recommendations, ect for learning the language, especially one with as many cases as Wiradjuri.

I already know about Stan&Flo Grant's Wiradjuri Dictionary (based on Dr. Stan Grant and Dr. John Rudder's work)

I have mostly enjoyed learning languages on my own before, but have never had good results.

Taking effective notes is more than just jotting down what you hear in a lecture or read in a book: it's a strategic process that enhances your understanding and retention. Whether you're a student, professional, or lifelong learner, mastering the art of note-taking can elevate your ability to learn and apply new concepts.

Understand how you think to adapt your note-taking style

Verbal thinkers:

Process information through words and language.

Excel with text-heavy, sequential note-taking styles.

Visual thinkers:

Object visualizers: Think in detailed images, excel in hands-on fields like art or engineering.

Spatial visualizers: Think in patterns and abstractions, thrive in areas like physics or architecture.

Mixed thinkers:

Combine both styles to adapt based on the situation.

1) Understand the purpose of notes

Before diving into techniques, it's essential to know why you take notes. Effective notes serve three main purposes:

Capture key ideas: Focus on main concepts, not every word.

Aid recall: Notes should act as memory triggers.

Support active learning: Writing notes forces your brain to process information.

2) Prepare before the course

Preview material: Skim the syllabus, course outline or key readings to anticipate important themes.

Gather supplies: Notebook, pens, digital tools (laptops, apps like Google doc, Notion, OneNote, or Evernote).

Verbal thinkers: Use lined notebooks or text-based apps like Word or Google Docs.

Visual thinkers: Use blank notebooks, mind-mapping tools or apps like Milanote.

Mixed thinkers: Use a combination of both formats to capture ideas flexibly.

Set goals: Know what you want to achieve from the course.

3) Choose a note-taking method

a) Linear notes (basic listing)

Write down points in sequential order.

Best for: Simple lectures or storytelling. Best used by: Mixed thinkers

b) Cornell Method

Divide your page into:

Main section: Notes during the lecture.

Cue section: Keywords/questions later.

Summary section: Key takeaways at the bottom.

Best for: Structured review. Best used by: Verbal thinkers

c) Mind maps

Create a visual map with the main topic in the center and branches for subtopics.

Best for: Complex concepts or brainstorming. Best used by: Visual thinkers

d) Outline method

Use bullet points with indentation for hierarchy.

Main Topic

Subtopic

Details

Best for: Well-structured content. Best used by: Verbal thinkers

e) Flow notes

Combine visuals, arrows and text to show connections.

Best for: Dynamic, fast-paced lectures. Best used by: Visual thinkers

4) During the lecture

Listen actively:

Focus on understanding, not transcribing verbatim.

Identify cues:

Look for emphasis (repeated ideas, instructor tone, slides).

Use abbreviations:

Shorten common words (e.g., “w/” for with, “b/c” for because).

Organize on the fly:

Use headings, subheadings and bullet points to keep things structured.

Verbal thinkers: Group ideas under headings or bullet points.

Visual thinkers: Sketch concepts or relationships between topics.

5) After the lecture

Review notes:

Fill in gaps, clarify confusing points and ensure everything makes sense.

Summarize:

Write a brief overview of what you learned.

For verbal thinkers:

Write summaries in your own words to reinforce understanding.

Use mnemonics or word-based memory aids for recall.

For visual thinkers:

Recreate diagrams or visual models from memory.

Annotate your notes with additional visuals to deepen understanding.

For mixed thinkers:

Pair visual summaries (like flowcharts) with verbal descriptions.

Practice explaining concepts both visually and verbally.

Test yourself:

Turn your notes into questions and quiz yourself for better retention.

6) Use digital tools for efficiency

Google docs/Word: Collaborative and easily accessible.

Notion/OneNote: Organize notes by topic with multimedia support.

Audio recorders: Complement notes for revisiting missed points.

7) Tips for retention

Revisit regularly: Spaced repetition improves memory (Ankis cards).

Condense notes: Create cheat sheets for quick revision.

Teach someone else: Explaining the material reinforces your understanding.

Review often: Reinforce your learning by revisiting and reorganizing your notes.

8) Stay organized

Label notes: Course name, date, topic.

Keep sections clear: Separate topics/modules with dividers or digital tags.

Backup notes: Use cloud storage for digital notes.

9) Adapt your style

Not every method works for everyone. Experiment with different approaches to find what resonates with your learning style. You may prefer digital tools, visual techniques like mind maps or traditional handwritten notes.

Bonus : Make note-taking fun!

Learning doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Add creativity to your process:

Gamify learning:

Create quizzes with tools like Kahoot or Quizlet.

Challenge yourself with timed note summaries.

Go visual:

Use colorful infographics or mind maps to highlight connections.

Turn complex ideas into visual stories.

Role-play and scenarios:

Pretend to be an expert and explain your notes to an imaginary audience.

Apply concepts to real-life situations to deepen your understanding.

Mix it up:

Use flashcards for quick reviews.

Watch videos or listen to podcasts on your topic to reinforce learning.

Collaborate:

Discuss your notes with peers or teach someone else for better retention.

Establish a routine:

Dedicate 20–30 minutes daily to review notes.

End each session with a mini-quiz or creative recap.

Bonus : Mastering layout and formatting for effective Notes

A) General layout principles

Start with a clean slate

Use consistent margins for a neat look.

Leave ample white space between sections to avoid visual clutter.

Margins create a visual boundary that organizes content, helping your brain process the information in chunks.

Leave at least one blank line (or 1.5 spacing in digital notes) between different topics or ideas.

They provide room to add comments, symbols or questions during reviews without cluttering the main content.

Number your pages to keep notes in order.

Add descriptive titles for easy navigation.

Include date, course title or lecture topic in the header.

Prioritize legibility

Choose readable fonts if typing (e.g., Arial, Calibri).

Write neatly if using pen and paper.

Use headings and subheadings

Bold or underline main headings.

Use numbered or bullet-point subheadings for organization.

Color coding for clarity

Assign colors to categories (e.g., red for key terms, blue for examples).

Avoid overusing colors: stick to 2–3 for consistency.

Use bold or underlined text for essential ideas.

Highlight terms, dates or definitions for easy scanning.

Handwritten: Invest in multi-colored pens or highlighters for emphasis

Digital: Use formatting tools like bold, italics, and bullet lists.

Visual coding for enhancing the important part

Add icons, images or colors to make connections intuitive.

How not to fail English.

Today I’m going to teach you all how to tell the difference between a static and dynamic character!

A static character is one who DOES NOT go through character development, and has the same personality, morals, values, likes, dislikes etc. throughout the whole story. From beginning to end these guys are the same little guys.

A dynamic character is one who changes! It might not be a big change, but they still change nonetheless! They’re the ones going through character arches, changing their morals or their values because of something that happens to them in the story!

While it’s not too hard to learn the difference, it can be quite tricky spotting a static or dynamic character, so here’s an example!

The example I’m using is Edgar Allen Poe’s short story ‘The Cask of Amontillado’. I’m using this particular piece because it’s VERY hard to tell whether Montresor is a static or dynamic protagonist!

Step 1: Read the whole story. You might need to reread some bits, but it’s good to know everything before you start analyzing.

Step 2: read the first paragraph and the last paragraph. These are often where you can see definite changes in a character, but you’ll still have to keep an eye out! Here’s the first and last paragraph of The Cask of Amontillado:

“THE THOUSAND INJURIES of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. At length I would be avenged, this was a point definitely settled - but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved, precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the Avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.”

“No answer still. I thrust a torch through the remaining aperture and let it fall within. There came forth in reply only a jingling of the bells. My heart grew sick on account of the dampness of the catacombs. I hastened to make an end of my labor. I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I re-erected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them.

In pace requiescat!*”

*may he rest in peace

At first, Montresor seems completely static, as he did kill a man and leave him there in the catacombs seemingly without guilt. BUT my friends, if you read the first paragraph carefully you can see that Montresor is in fact, telling this story to someone other than the reader! Someone he knows quite well. “You, who so well know the nature of my soul..” he is confessing. And, in the last paragraph, “My heart grew sick on account of the dampness of the catacombs.” That sickness is not a sickness, but guilt! This means Montresor is a dynamic character, as now fifty years later he feels guilty about the death of Fourtunato.

Hi all,

I am starting a new... “thing” on my blog-- I will be posting “cheat sheets” on various biology topics to either facilitate learning or refresh myself + others.

My motivation for this is the memory loss I have endured over the past year. Unfortunately, there are multiple sources. I have learning differences which have enhanced this, but over the past year and half I have had multiple brain traumas/traumas that have affected my memory. However, I must persevere. My goal is to work in conservation, and until I absolutely cannot I will do whatever I need to to achieve.

I believe anyone can learn and succeed in science. But everyone must take their own path and accommodate their own needs. I believe in you. And lets learn together!