Tools & Technology in Preparation - Hacks & Resources / Apps / Evernote /Onenote
Thanks to members here, I managed to get an Apple iPad with Pencil. This is my first tablet and I am loving it . I am also using Evernote ( earlier One Note ) .
I am creating this thread so that we can share what all apps we are using for reading / note making and how to use them. This will help save lot of time for those thinking of Tab based studies.
Usually I prefer pen and paper to make physical notes but I also use some basic apps to supplement my preparation digitally. Some methods/apps that I use are:-
#Notes(iOS)
I use this to save links of articles that I feel are good or important.
I read physical newspaper(The Hindu). Whenever I find something important like an article or editorial, I visit The Hindu site, copy paste the article’s link and paste it in notes. I do the same for important contents derived from PIB,PRS. Some samples are:-
#Podcast(inbuilt iOS)
This I use to learn things without studying in actual. I use it while travelling or running or working out at gym. There are several channels which can be useful for learning additional things. For example, on every Friday, on the Hindu’s Oped page, there is a section called Parley. The Hindu has a podcast channel too specifically for this Parley thing. Rather than reading it on paper, you can directly listen to it on the podcast. The podcast’s recording is copy-pasted on the Oped Page.
#Other App Store apps that I use:-
P.S.- After reading several posts on this thread that how many of aspirants are using apps like Evernote/OneNote to make digital notes, I am trying too to get my hands on OneNote. It will take some time for me to get accustom to it though!
From the above I sense that you prefer having the entire newspaper article in your notes (links of good articles + on OneNote). In this light, wanted to ask, what do you perceive as the advantage of this approach as compared to making notes from an editorial article (and not having the entire article in the notes) ?
Others can answer too if they want.
The markings of different colours on OneNote are the actual points that I would have jotted down in my notepad had I gone for precise notes making. Saving the entire article to read at a later period helps in staying with a flow in which the editorial is actually formatted . I also refer to some articles when I practice answer writing specially for those questions which are kind of vague in nature.
The editorial which you see on Onenote is a very holistic editorial in my opinion.(The editorial was dated 10/06/2020). This editorial was a complete package, it talked about problems, had data in it, had international angle, and also a way forward, a perfect sample on how to meet the demand of UPSC. So that is why I saved this entire article.
When revising or referring, it is good to have a background of the article too to maintain the flow and have a context in the back of mind. I have this liberty because my reading speed has increased. I give a casual reading to the unmarked portion/s and a focused reading to the marked portion/s whenever I refer to these saved articles.
p.s- copy-pasting an article from a pdf reader to OneNote is a matter of snapping fingers, in short, too easy. It is just that the marking thing takes time, equivalent to the time spent on penning down the same or maybe a few minutes more.
So to summarise:-
1. It helps you in answer writing
2. Helps you engage in ‘smart reading’
3. Becomes fodder points for the topic as well
Those are substantial gains, you make a good case for this strategy of yours. Will try to incorporate
Usually I prefer pen and paper to make physical notes but I also use some basic apps to supplement my preparation digitally. Some methods/apps that I use are:-
#Notes(iOS)
I use this to save links of articles that I feel are good or important.
I read physical newspaper(The Hindu). Whenever I find something important like an article or editorial, I visit The Hindu site, copy paste the article’s link and paste it in notes. I do the same for important contents derived from PIB,PRS. Some samples are:-
#Podcast(inbuilt iOS)
This I use to learn things without studying in actual. I use it while travelling or running or working out at gym. There are several channels which can be useful for learning additional things. For example, on every Friday, on the Hindu’s Oped page, there is a section called Parley. The Hindu has a podcast channel too specifically for this Parley thing. Rather than reading it on paper, you can directly listen to it on the podcast. The podcast’s recording is copy-pasted on the Oped Page.
#Other App Store apps that I use:-
P.S.- After reading several posts on this thread that how many of aspirants are using apps like Evernote/OneNote to make digital notes, I am trying too to get my hands on OneNote. It will take some time for me to get accustom to it though!
From the above I sense that you prefer having the entire newspaper article in your notes (links of good articles + on OneNote). In this light, wanted to ask, what do you perceive as the advantage of this approach as compared to making notes from an editorial article (and not having the entire article in the notes) ?
Others can answer too if they want.
The markings of different colours on OneNote are the actual points that I would have jotted down in my notepad had I gone for precise notes making. Saving the entire article to read at a later period helps in staying with a flow in which the editorial is actually formatted . I also refer to some articles when I practice answer writing specially for those questions which are kind of vague in nature.
The editorial which you see on Onenote is a very holistic editorial in my opinion.(The editorial was dated 10/06/2020). This editorial was a complete package, it talked about problems, had data in it, had international angle, and also a way forward, a perfect sample on how to meet the demand of UPSC. So that is why I saved this entire article.
When revising or referring, it is good to have a background of the article too to maintain the flow and have a context in the back of mind. I have this liberty because my reading speed has increased. I give a casual reading to the unmarked portion/s and a focused reading to the marked portion/s whenever I refer to these saved articles.
p.s- copy-pasting an article from a pdf reader to OneNote is a matter of snapping fingers, in short, too easy. It is just that the marking thing takes time, equivalent to the time spent on penning down the same or maybe a few minutes more.
So to summarise:-
1. It helps you in answer writing
2. Helps you engage in ‘smart reading’
3. Becomes fodder points for the topic as well
Those are substantial gains, you make a good case for this strategy of yours. Will try to incorporate
I remember you told me once to write concisely while answering questions.
Here too you summarised whatever I said in just 3 points.
I see all of it as an act of direct cum indirect form of mentoring.
Thank You!
@rashiv Since you are a student and a good one, just few things. Whatever issues are being done in the class - at least the CA one, don't do anything extra in those. It will be fully covered.
If you find anything related to Pol Sc, you must do it. If you find good articles on some off topic issues, which you find enlightening, do keep it.
Make sure you are very clear what you are investing time on. Also focus on the keywords and new ideas which can actually be incorporated in an answer.
@rashiv Since you are a student and a good one, just few things. Whatever issues are being done in the class - at least the CA one, don't do anything extra in those. It will be fully covered.
If you find anything related to Pol Sc, you must do it. If you find good articles on some off topic issues, which you find enlightening, do keep it.
Make sure you are very clear what you are investing time on. Also focus on the keywords and new ideas which can actually be incorporated in an answer.
Thank youu, will follow the said advices and incorporate them in my strategy
Let me share one more trick.
Okay. Instead let me give a problem statement. When arranging notebooks in the EN, often we want a certain notebook to appear first or second or in some order. How do you achieve that?
Any 'pro' Evernote users here? :D
The best solution gets a gift from me :D
Notebooks can be renamed and numbered with alpha-numeric values. Then sorted by name.
Gift :P
I use EverNote and OneNote both for different subjects on the basis of their pros. I have less handwritten notes.
--Like in Evernote, I recorded some voice notes for history in a storytelling way. Whenever I don't want to read or write anything I just listen to these voice notes. I like Evernote for this feature.
--I use Onenote for making notes on important current affairs on topic wise. I find Onenote much easy for making my notes in sequence on different topics and sub-topics.
--Evernote has only one colour (yellow) for highlighting the text whereas Onenote has many different colours which make notes mesmerizing and interesting.
--here're screenshots from my Evernote and Onenote notes...
##EVERNOTE##
##ONENOTE#
Congratulations for the ipad
I am only using Evernote,while ago when i was doing secure
I create new notebook according to syllabus keyword and copy paste the important stuff from secure
Thank you. If there is one advice I will give you, don't do secure! You will burn lot of energy and not end up with anything substantial. I have done it for 2 years! I am not against Insights. I have a few topics from there and they are brilliant. They used to be brilliant in 2016-17 time. Every topper used them. Now its legacy. You will realise only after 1 year of doing secure!
Thanks already dropped the plan of secure
Currently doing vam and 1 test series (gs score/forum/vision) for content enrichment
Let me share one more trick.
Okay. Instead let me give a problem statement. When arranging notebooks in the EN, often we want a certain notebook to appear first or second or in some order. How do you achieve that?
Any 'pro' Evernote users here? :D
The best solution gets a gift from me :D
Could be done by 'Bracketing'.
I think forum should also make an app like "Marrow" (which is for neet pg preparation). Approx 90% of medical students use this app and have been proved very helpful for them. There is a lack of such kind of app for UPSC preparation.
Dora-the_Explorer,
- Evernote:This is the main app for note making. You can See here how I organise things in Evernote.
- Google keep: I use it mainly for Diary-like purpose, not for note-making. I have kept things like unique ideas, quotes, some shayaris and poems, links to blogs, links to videos, login and passwords, Registration/application numbers etc.
@Oasis I use Evernote and Google keep in mobile.
- Evernote:This is the main app for note making. You can See here how I organise things in Evernote.
- Google keep: I use it mainly for Diary-like purpose, not for note-making. I have kept things like unique ideas, quotes, some shayaris and poems, links to blogs, links to videos, login and passwords, Registration/application numbers etc.
Thanks@Naadan_Parinda
Deepak802,
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