5 answers
Shree
Student
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Questions
Asked
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How to maintain a database for current affairs?
I am currently preparing for a law entrance exam that requires me to learn all the current events that occur locally and globally but since there is so much information, note-taking has become quite difficult and arduous. My notes become jumbled since there is so much information and more keeps coming. Is there a better way to approach this?
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5 answers
Marva Levine
Attorney
14
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marva’s Answer
One tip, instead of concentrating on writing notes - although good organization is very important - concentrate on what you are reading. After you read about a current event, stop and think about what you just read. Why is this important to my community? What happens next? Who are the important participants? Try to discuss current events with a parent, sibling or friend. If you think about what you read you have a better chance of understanding the issues and remembering them. No need to go back and review notes which as you say are growing in size every day. Good luck to you.
Thankyou so much!
Shree
Baljit Gill
tutor
30
Answers
Milpitas, California
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hello Shree,
I'm a big fan of the Notion Database for storing all my online notes and lists. It's as easy as pie to get started - just download the app and you're good to go! You can jot down your notes and rest assured they'll be saved. Plus, you have the freedom to arrange them in any way you like.
I'm a big fan of the Notion Database for storing all my online notes and lists. It's as easy as pie to get started - just download the app and you're good to go! You can jot down your notes and rest assured they'll be saved. Plus, you have the freedom to arrange them in any way you like.
Thankyou so much!
Shree
Amit Mittal
Officer at Citibank
96
Answers
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Updated
Amit’s Answer
Maintaining a database for current affairs can be a great way to organize your notes and make your study more efficient. Here are some steps you can follow:
Store Data in a Single File: Having your data clustered makes database management more difficult. It is better to store all your data related to current affairs in one place.
Use Descriptive Titles: Clear, descriptive titles, definitions, and data tabs provide insight into the data. This will help you quickly identify the information you need.
Consolidate Data With Regular Updates: Make sure your database is updated by regularly changing the database’s tables. This will help keep your notes up-to-date with the latest current affairs.
Draft a Database Maintenance Plan: Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the smooth operation of your database.
You can use various tools to maintain your database. Spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can be a good starting point. For more advanced needs, you might consider database software like Microsoft Access or even learning a database language like SQL.
Remember, the key is to keep your database organized and regularly updated. This will make it easier for you to review your notes and stay on top of current affairs. Good luck with your law entrance exam preparation! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Store Data in a Single File: Having your data clustered makes database management more difficult. It is better to store all your data related to current affairs in one place.
Use Descriptive Titles: Clear, descriptive titles, definitions, and data tabs provide insight into the data. This will help you quickly identify the information you need.
Consolidate Data With Regular Updates: Make sure your database is updated by regularly changing the database’s tables. This will help keep your notes up-to-date with the latest current affairs.
Draft a Database Maintenance Plan: Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure the smooth operation of your database.
You can use various tools to maintain your database. Spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets can be a good starting point. For more advanced needs, you might consider database software like Microsoft Access or even learning a database language like SQL.
Remember, the key is to keep your database organized and regularly updated. This will make it easier for you to review your notes and stay on top of current affairs. Good luck with your law entrance exam preparation! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.
Juney Dijkstra
Business Development / Production / Project Management
39
Answers
Hilversum, North Holland, Netherlands
Updated
Juney’s Answer
Marva's excellent answer already sets you up for your exam and beyond, and though my advice will focus more on an approach beyond exams, hope it may provide a resonant note from a fellow overenthusiastic note taker!
Give some thought to the purpose your notes serve: Are they to strengthen your memory? To summarise key points for future reference? To convey & deliver a message to another reader? Something else entirely?
Each purpose benefits from a different approach to note taking -- in some cases, grammar, punctuation and formatting matter (e.g. when other readers are involved). In other cases, you may be the only reader (e.g. notes for future reference), and frankly, much of our notes for exams we'll never read again in our life (e.g. notes to strengthen memory). Optimise your note taking approach to what you need the notes for -- short hand, bullet points, precision phrasing, can all be considered for each scenario.
To further build on Marva's answer, especially for situations beyond your exam:
* Why are you researching / studying? What outcome will your research / study serve? What information & materials are you missing?
* What information & materials are you looking for: Exploratory investigation on a broad topic? Or a step beyond that for a deep dive: Facts & numbers, precedent, practical similar examples, case studies?
* As you familiarise yourself with the information & materials you review, earmark bits of particular interest, but don't write out copious notes quite yet. Jot down brief bullet point thoughts on what you encounter.
* Build a high level narrative for yourself. Are you explaining, building an argument for, or delivering new research? Who is your audience, and what do they know? How can you optimise your notes / answer to deliver the message, what form should this take?
* Revisit the information & materials to locate gaps, and supplement. Organise the most relevant materials (no more!) in a way that's comfortable to you -- this is where you could get a bit more detailed with your notes.
* Work out a more detailed narrative, and start filling in the pieces using the supporting materials you've selected and the notes you've prepared on each.
And as Marva writes -- discuss with others along the way! Diverse perspectives are crucial to help build your own understanding and prompt your mind with ideas you otherwise would not have considered.
Give some thought to the purpose your notes serve: Are they to strengthen your memory? To summarise key points for future reference? To convey & deliver a message to another reader? Something else entirely?
Each purpose benefits from a different approach to note taking -- in some cases, grammar, punctuation and formatting matter (e.g. when other readers are involved). In other cases, you may be the only reader (e.g. notes for future reference), and frankly, much of our notes for exams we'll never read again in our life (e.g. notes to strengthen memory). Optimise your note taking approach to what you need the notes for -- short hand, bullet points, precision phrasing, can all be considered for each scenario.
To further build on Marva's answer, especially for situations beyond your exam:
* Why are you researching / studying? What outcome will your research / study serve? What information & materials are you missing?
* What information & materials are you looking for: Exploratory investigation on a broad topic? Or a step beyond that for a deep dive: Facts & numbers, precedent, practical similar examples, case studies?
* As you familiarise yourself with the information & materials you review, earmark bits of particular interest, but don't write out copious notes quite yet. Jot down brief bullet point thoughts on what you encounter.
* Build a high level narrative for yourself. Are you explaining, building an argument for, or delivering new research? Who is your audience, and what do they know? How can you optimise your notes / answer to deliver the message, what form should this take?
* Revisit the information & materials to locate gaps, and supplement. Organise the most relevant materials (no more!) in a way that's comfortable to you -- this is where you could get a bit more detailed with your notes.
* Work out a more detailed narrative, and start filling in the pieces using the supporting materials you've selected and the notes you've prepared on each.
And as Marva writes -- discuss with others along the way! Diverse perspectives are crucial to help build your own understanding and prompt your mind with ideas you otherwise would not have considered.
Cristin Adam
In-house counsel
3
Answers
Cross Roads, Texas
Updated
Cristin’s Answer
Hey Shree! The ideas above are excellent, and I can personally attest that unless I jot things down, they tend to slip my mind. I'd like to propose a couple of strategies you might find useful. To start with, create broad categories like "Local", "National", and "International" to systematically group each event. These big categories can then be broken down into smaller ones if you find it beneficial for recollection.
Next, I'd recommend that you take some time at the end of each day or week to reorganize and rewrite your notes in a format that resonates with you. This practice not only aids in structuring your notes for future reference or study, but also gives you a chance to revisit the material without the stress of note-taking. This repetition often helps to imprint the information more firmly in my mind.
Here's wishing you all the best with your note-taking and your exciting journey through law school!
Next, I'd recommend that you take some time at the end of each day or week to reorganize and rewrite your notes in a format that resonates with you. This practice not only aids in structuring your notes for future reference or study, but also gives you a chance to revisit the material without the stress of note-taking. This repetition often helps to imprint the information more firmly in my mind.
Here's wishing you all the best with your note-taking and your exciting journey through law school!