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!
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.
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!
