It is OK to have a shit memory as long as you take efficient notes

In today’s fast-paced world, where information overload is a constant challenge, having a good memory can be a valuable asset. However, not everyone is blessed with a naturally sharp memory. For those of us who struggle to retain information, there is hope. By adopting efficient note-taking techniques, we can compensate for our memory shortcomings and boost our learning, thinking, and productivity. This essay explores the concept of efficient note-taking, drawing inspiration from Ahrens Sönke’s book, “How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning, and Thinking” as well as personal experiences and reflections.

The Struggle with Memory:

Many people, like me, despite their dedication to learning struggle with memory-related challenges. Sometimes we think that as much as I read less I remember! We have difficulty recalling information during exams or struggle to articulate our thoughts when faced with complex questions. This struggle can be frustrating and may hinder academic and professional success. However, it is essential to recognise that having a poor memory does not equate to a lack of intelligence or capability.

The Power of Efficient Note-Taking:

Actually, the very poor memory concept is challenged in Ahrens’ book. The author discusses that limited memory is itself a shortage to build links with previous knowledge. Thus, the probability of retaining information is highly related to the links you have built with previous information. In other words, remembering something that does not have context is much more difficult and is a very basic principle in education. So, the act of writing is so powerful because we are forced to make links, and at this point, we discover that the links we have made are not sufficiently robust to help us contextualise the information we have just acquired.

Have you already had the feeling that the sentences you just wrote sounded much better in your head than in the paper? That is exactly what happened! This is the main point of the Ahrens book. But it is not only about this. With great rhetorical, the author guides us from theoretical aspects of why underlying sentences and trusting in our minds only is a bad idea to be productive. Instead, the book emphasises the idea of outsourcing information from our brains, allowing us to free up mental space for creativity and critical thinking. By capturing and organising key concepts, ideas, and insights in our notes, we create a reliable external memory system that supports our learning journey.

There are a lot of reasons and evidence to support the belief that we must rely on external tools instead of being attached to the old habits of relying solely on our mind to keep the information, as the first hominids probably had done. By the way, we are in the 21st century, so here I’ll discuss 5 points to start developing your note-taking system and choosing your tools:

1. You don’t perceive the flaws in your understanding until you put this in proof. As mentioned above, we are very bad at measuring our own understanding. We might think we have all the information we need, but at any time we need to contextualise it, we start to perceive the flaws. Writing it down helps you to fill in the gaps before your knowledge is chased.
2. Keep your brain for creativity and insights. A great perspective presented in Ahrens' book is the importance of forgetting. Forgetting plays an important role in giving us a chance to make new connections based on previous information we have (= insights), realise that there are flaws in our assumed perfect knowledge, and most importantly, give us the freedom to grow feelings. As is well explained in the book, feelings arise from leaving the small points to getting attached to the whole picture, as it is, not by focussing on each trace of paint but the “Mona Lisa” that emerged from the traces.
3. Never again start from zero. Collecting good notes will equip you with the necessary tools to overcome the terror posed by the blank page that afflicts most writers. Especially if you have deadlines or have challenging topics to write about.
4. Everything that counts is writing. Cold and cruel it might sound at first sight, but only until you understand that writing begging is much earlier than to put the words on a black page. Reading, lectures, and discussion are key aspects that cement your opinions, understanding of concepts, and life in general as well as your preferences. These all pieces are undissociated from your writing and the authors discuss how you can orientate how you relate with these intermediate steps by thinking about how you could write down when necessary. Here the writing is more about how you put in your notes than actually the insights you share but in the end, they are the same because there is no writing without previous knowledge (ideally kept in your note-take system).
5. Less stressing productivity. Once you have relied on a supportive system that you have deposited your knowledge in your own voice, your mind is now free to let everything go until your next workday. Also, because you have been progressing by taking notes multiple days before, you have already done a lot of work. You just need to spread your notes in front of you and seize the text you want.

The Role of Obsidian:

The discovery of Obsidian, a note-taking software, has been a game-changer for many individuals. Initially sceptical, I became addicted to the software features, including various plugins and themes. However, Ahrens’ book reminds us that the core principles of efficient note-taking can be applied with or without sophisticated technology. Whether using pen and paper or a digital platform like Obsidian, the focus should be on the method itself rather than the tools. My nerd side thinks of spending hours digging deep into the newly released plugins. In my defence, I think it will naturally reduce after the hype of the discovery of Obsidian. By the way, this is the potential pitfall to focus on the tool. In the end, I think there is no harm to some productive procrastination.

By using Obsidian, a few concepts of the slip-box method were already incorporated into my habits (see for instance how to use Obsidian for Academic writing). Linking the new information to the previous one, trying to make brief notes, avoiding leaving unconnected notes, and so on. Yet, there are too many reflections through the note-taking process available in Ahrnes’ book that weren’t even scratched here. By actively engaging with our notes, we deepen our understanding and retention of the material. This process involves revisiting and revising our notes regularly, connecting ideas, and synthesising information.

In brief:

Efficient note-taking is a powerful tool for individuals with poor memory, enabling them to overcome their limitations and improve their learning, thinking, and productivity. Ahrens Sönke’s book, combined with personal experiences and reflections, highlights the importance of effectively capturing and organising information. Whether using advanced note-taking software like Obsidian or simpler methods like pen and paper, the key lies in actively engaging with our notes and regularly revisiting them. By adopting efficient note-taking practises, we can unlock our full potential and thrive in our academic and professional pursuits. So, let us embrace the power of efficient note-taking and unleash our creativity and critical thinking by freeing our minds from the burden of memorisation.