While perusing A Glossary of Literary Terms, I consistently encountered challenges when it came to retaining information and making notes. Preparing for competitive Indian exams demands the memorization of numerous facts, and despite my passion for literature as a subject, rote memorization often feels like a redundant activity, especially when you recognize that the Literature extend far beyond multiple-choice exams. Consequently, I decided to give this issue some contemplation and conducted some online research, which led me to discover the effectiveness of note-taking.
(un)fortunately, I already possess an abundance of notebooks filled with notes from my college days, and the prospect of lugging around another stack of notebooks, especially given my frequent changes in living spaces, did not appeal to me. After careful consideration, I found that the most suitable and, of course, cost-effective method for creating organized notes was to utilize Excel spreadsheets. It might surprise fellow humanities students to see one of their own using Excel for note-taking, as we aren’t accountants. However, I can attest that I never truly appreciated its value until I experienced how efficiently it works.
Excel allows for easy editing, re-editing, additions, reading, and further annotations. No longer do I need to flip through pages to locate information and then transcribe it once more. Additionally, the process of revision has become far less daunting. It is different from Google Docs in the sense of its appeal. The tables make the organization a lot better.
I am currently on a quest to explore additional methods of digitizing my notes. If you have any suggestions or employ a method that aids in digitally storing and organizing notes, please feel free to share it in the comments section below.
As I continue my journey of digital note-taking and organization, I can’t help but think that someday, when I feel my notes are complete and truly ready to be shared, I might make them available to fellow literature enthusiasts.
I wholeheartedly encourage to adopt the practice of making notes as we read. Read extensively, take notes diligently, and let’s collectively enhance our understanding and appreciation of the vast world of literature(s).