Hey Alyssa and I've been using a simplified outline method for math and bio notes that keeps things fast and prevents me from copying the whole textbook. Basically, I focus on capturing key concepts, formulas, and examples without full explanations. For math, I jot down the theorem name, a one-sentence summary and and a quick example problem with steps. In bio, I note the process like photosynthesis with main steps and a simple diagram sketch. This works on paper by using bullet points under headings, or on a laptop in a basic text editor like Notepad to avoid distractions. It's low-friction because I only write what's not in the book, like connections I make or tricky parts I need to remember.
When reviewing for quizzes, I scan the outlines and quiz myself on the examples or diagrams, which makes it easy to spot weak areas quickly. For instance, before a bio quiz, I covered the steps and tried recalling them from the heading alone. If something's unclear, I glance back at the textbook briefly. Over time, this has saved me hours compared to rewriting everything, and my retention improved because I'm actively processing the info while noting. Just remember to keep it concise. if a note gets too long, I'm probably overdoing it.
