Stop Rewriting Your Notes – Do This Instead

Many students spend hours rewriting notes, which feels productive but is an inefficient way to study. Rewriting notes mostly involves copying information you already recognize, but recognition is not the same as recalling it during an exam.

A more efficient method is self-testing. Close your notes and try to explain the topic from memory, answer practice questions, or write down what you remember. This actively strengthens your ability to recall information when it matters.

Past exam questions are the best resource for self-testing and are an excellent revision tool. They show how topics appear in exams and help you practice applying your knowledge, which is especially crucial for exams like the Leaving Cert.

To make your study time more effective, spend less time rewriting notes and more time actively testing your understanding. Active revision is one of the best ways to improve your performance.