How to organise your folder

This is going to be split into 4 separate sections:

Visuals

Content

Dividers

Extra tips

If you have any further question/s on any of the sections be sure to comment on the bottom of the page you query/s and we would get back to you within 24 hours and we will add the information on the website within a week, Thanking you for helping us be a more informative website!

 Visuals

When making a folder, although not recognised , visuals are quite important in making a folder as it entices you to STUDY.

1.The actual folder itself- You can either choose to purchase a more expensive but beautifully designed folder or a less aesthetically pleasing folder but less expensive. This decision does not effect the original purpose of the folder but most people prefer the more prettier folders. Do not fret if you are unable to invest in a more expensive folder as you can D.I.Y it to make it look much better and to YOUR liking.

2.HIGHLIGHTING-Although, again, it is not absolutely essential for studying it has more purposes than to make your notes look pretty! It is actually scientifically proven that highlighting or using alternative colours than black helps improve your memory in that subject! -but of course in this case it also underlines important key words or phrases that will help you remember in your notes. - If you do choose to use highlighters it is also helpful to colour code. For Example:Blue highlighter=New/Key words

      Green highlighter=Key formulas

       Yellow highlighter= key numbers and statistics

3.EDUCATIONAL VISUALS-This means all the posters, diagrams and images in your folder that are related to the content. For Example: In your geography folder you can have an image of the world map on the inside of the folder.  This is a very useful tool in the folder as it helps you use different revision techniques other than just reading the notes.

Content

Content is the most important aspect of the folder, taking up the majority of the space and the original purpose of it all! So below are some tips about the content section of the folder.

When making notes from a source you should

1. Make sure you are not copying the entire text book!-It is very important that you remember you are making notes not redoing the whole source.You need to read through the source first and then start making notes on the key points. Below are some tips on how to find the key points in a source.     -Look for important formulas or steps for how to find something out            -Look for key words or phrases that you need to remember or can use to gain more marks in an exam so are worth remembering and making note of  -Key figures and statistics are important to memorise so it is important that you take note of it
2. Always put your notes in your folder after you have made them otherwise there will remain a huge pile of notes on top of the folder that will end up taking more time to organise-This way you are making sure that you are keeping an organised folder system
3. Another technique for content is to explore different resources to make notes about - there are so many resources that you can use ( we have listed some on the Helpful studying resources page at the top of this website) and you must remember that you do not need a text book to make notes as there are so many resources on the internet that you can use for free

Dividers

Dividers are an essential to an structured folder - many people would recommend it! It not only divides all the content in your folder but creates an efficient learning mode where you can revise for a certain subject into sections as it is proven scientifically that the majority of people learn better when things are split into certain groups that you can associate with the content. So the following tips going to show case different methods in which you can enhance the effect of dividers.

1. You do not have to use only one set of dividers per folder. Some people separate groups that are already being separated by dividers and separating the subsections into small groups. Sometimes this helps because even though you have split up your folder into groups they are still too large to focus time on, which is why it's so helpful to use another set of dividers in the subsection to split that. If you are one of those people who find it unnecessary to buy as many dividers but still would like their sections to be divided then study sunshine would recommend index tabs. Index tabs or another form of dividers as they not only divide your work efficiently but they also take up less space then dividers themselves as they only show themselves on the end of the pages.
2. When purchasing dividers that you going to use for long term folders study sunshine would definitely recommend buying plastic dividers of long periods of time. Although the plastic dividers are slightly expensive compared to the cardboard/paper version they last longer and they do not rip or get destroyed and we would recommend this for long time use  definitely because you will be using it  for  long term  and instead of repetitively buying more and more cardboard/paper dividers you can invest in one set of great plastic dividers that you can also  reuse once finished.
3. This tip is slightly related to the previous tip regarding the plastic and cardboard dividers. It's definitely a known fact that many people I'm very hesitant in writing on the dividers because they are unsure of with it you reuse them in the foreseeable future. As a studying website we would recommend that first Lee you have to establish the time period that you were going to utilise your folder and dividers. For example if you are going to use the dividers and folder for 2 years and use it to refer to in the future we recommend U writing on the dividers since you are going to use it for 2 years and also use it to refer to . But if you are going to use a folder and dividers for 6 weeks I'm not ever going to refer back to it then study sunshine recommends to not right on the dividers as there is a high chance that you should or would reuse it. # save the environment !

Extra Tips

Below are some short tips regarding the whole question of :

HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR FOLDER?

1. Always constantly keep updating your folder and do not let your notes pile up on your folder unorganised and messy
2. Look after your folder and if it is cardboard then Study Sunshine recommends Sellotaping the corners and edges so they do not get damaged-especially with every day use folders
3. You can use plastic wallets or pop wallets to store admin and paperwork given by your teachers if they do not go in your divider section
4. Always make your folder early because it takes some time to order everything around-anything equal or more than one week should be sufficient 
5. Regularly check your notes to revise and make sure you do not forget the content notes you worked hard making
6. Always try making written notes ( including on iPad) as you remember it better
7. Use colour as it attracts you to read and learn you PRECIOUS notes

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