How to Create & Review Reading Notes

What are Reading Notes?

Reading notes are notes where you record thoughts, summaries, and memorable passages while reading a book. Taking reading notes helps the content stick in your memory and allows you to use that knowledge later.

If you struggle with "forgetting what you read" or "reading without retaining anything," reading notes are an effective solution.

5 Steps to Create Reading Notes

Here are five steps to create effective reading notes.

1. 1. Record basic book information Note the title, author, and total page count. With Reading Forest, you can auto-fill using ISBN barcode scanning.
2. 2. Take notes while reading Jot down interesting passages and memorable quotes with page numbers. Short notes are fine - don't aim for perfection.
3. 3. Write summaries After each chapter or when finished, summarize the content in your own words. This helps you recall it later.
4. 4. Record thoughts and learnings Write down insights and things you want to put into practice. This prevents "reading and forgetting."
5. 5. Review regularly By revisiting your notes occasionally, your brain recognizes that this is important, the content sticks better, and becomes usable knowledge.

Handwritten vs Digital: Which is Better?

You can create reading notes either by hand or digitally. Let's compare the pros and cons of each.

While handwritten notes have their own merits, we recommend digital. Especially if you want to search past notes and access them from multiple devices, digital reading notes are more convenient.

Reading Forest Makes It Easy

Reading Forest is a digital tool that makes creating reading notes simple. No templates needed - start using it right away.

How to Review Your Reading Notes

Writing reading notes is just the first step. Regularly reviewing them helps commit book content to long-term memory. With just a little effort, this solves the common problem of "I know I read it, but I can't remember it."

Why Review Matters

Human memory fades rapidly following the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve. Even if you remember content right after reading, studies suggest we forget about 70% after one day and 80% after one week. However, reviewing at the right intervals can dramatically improve retention.

Reviewing your reading notes isn't just about "remembering." It's a great opportunity to gain new insights and connect past knowledge with current experiences. Things you didn't understand when you first read them often click into place over time.

Best Times to Review

Here's a recommended review schedule based on the scientifically-proven concept of "spaced repetition."

1. Right after finishing (same day) Write an overall summary and organize key impressions. Ask yourself: "What was the main message of this book?"
2. After 1 day First try to recall "what was in the book" without looking at your notes. Then check your records to verify, and add extra notes or ★ marks for sections you're starting to forget.
3. After 1 week Review your notes and pick out "things you can actually use" and "topics to explore further."
4. After 1 month Skim through the details and focus on re-reading the key summaries to refresh your memory. Content you remember at this point is more likely to stick in long-term memory.
5. When needed (anytime) When you encounter a related topic at work or study, use the search feature to pull up past notes.

3 Tips to Build a Review Habit

Review Checkpoints

When reviewing your reading notes, ask yourself these questions:

• What was the core message? — Can you explain it in one sentence?
• What can I apply now? — Your situation may have changed since you first read it
• Can I explain it to someone? — Being able to explain shows deeper understanding
• What related books have I read? — Be aware of connections between books
• What have I put into practice? — Reflect on whether you've acted on what you learned

Easy Review with Reading Forest

With digital reading notes, you can instantly find past records using keyword search. No need to flip through pages like a paper notebook.

• Keyword Search: Search across topics like "leadership" or "habits"
• Anytime on Your Phone: Refresh your memory during commute or waiting times
• Progress Graphs: Visualize your reading trends to stay motivated
• Multi-Device Support: Write on PC, review on phone, and vice versa

Reading Notes for Students

Reading notes aren't just for professionals - they're highly effective for students too. Record your textbook and reference book content for efficient studying and exam preparation.

For Exam Preparation

• Track Reference Books: Record pages completed in each textbook to study systematically
• Note Key Points: Document mistakes and difficult formulas for quick review before exams
• Math Support: Record math, physics, and chemistry formulas beautifully with MathJax (e.g., $E=mc^2$)
• Manage All Subjects: Keep all your textbooks organized in one app

For University Students

• Academic Reading: Taking notes while reading complex texts deepens understanding
• Bibliography Management: Export books in BibTeX format for papers and reports
• Research Organization: Search across all your notes to review relevant literature

Building Reading Habits

• Book Report Prep: Collect notes while reading for material to write about
• Track Reading Progress: Record and visualize your reading volume
• Set Goals: Set annual book goals and track progress for motivation

FAQ

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