How Doodling and Note taking Helps Studying?

Have you ever caught a friend doodling during a long lecture and assumed they were distracted? It’s easy to think they aren’t paying attention, but that isn’t necessarily the case. While they might be a bit bored, they aren’t detached from the lesson. In fact, contrary to traditional beliefs, doodling can actually help maintain focus and alertness.

When a lecture feels tedious, doodling can keep your mind engaged, preventing it from falling asleep or drifting off into daydreams. Next time you find a lecture dragging on, try doodling on your journal notebook, it can help ease the stress of processing large amounts of information and allow you to listen more attentively with calm and patience.

Research supports this idea too. In 2009, psychologist Jackie Andrade asked two groups of people, one that doodled and the other didn’t, to listen to a voice message. When they were asked to recall the information in the voice message, the group that doodled was able to recall 29% more information. This is because doodling activates more than one sense, involving both visual and kinaesthetic engagement. The more senses involved in learning, the more effective and successful the process becomes. Doodling can be especially beneficial for students with ADHD, as it provides the extra stimulation, they need to stay focused without zoning out.

 Taking notes effectively

When studying, many of us typically resort to scanning textbooks, highlighting sections and taking notes word for word. But combining doodling with note-taking can make learning far more engaging and effective. As you doodle, it helps you analyse and relate different concepts giving you better understanding. While writing or copying information is passive, doodling is an active form of learning with visual cues that will help recall information better.

 Essential tools required for note taking

1. Pens and markers

Use a good quality pen for note taking. High-quality pens provide a smooth writing flow and require minimal pressure, which is essential for long sessions. The ink dries quickly and resists smudging, ensuring your notes remain clean.

In addition to pens, markers and highlighters are excellent for adding visual elements to your notes. Colour pencils are another good choice as they don’t bleed through the page, making notes vibrant and visually appealing.

2. Notebook

Choosing the right journals for writing can make a significant difference in your note-taking and doodling process. Premium notebooks, like Neorah journals, come with thick, high-quality paper that prevents ink from bleeding or ghosting, even when using gel pens or fountain pens. These pages withstand highlighters and markers without warping, making them perfect for detailed work. The notebook features centre marking to divide the pages into sections if needed and write notes accordingly.

Additionally, it lies flat perfectly so you can write and make detailed doodles without any inconvenience.

How to incorporate doodling into your notes?

1. Making borders and frames

 Doodle borders and frames around important topics or sections on your journaling notebook to highlight key points, making them stand out for easier review.

2. Labelling

Add small, relevant diagrams with labels to your notes to improve understanding. For example, when studying the digestive system, sketch and label its parts to solidify the information visually.

3. Dual Coding

Combine text with small, related doodles. This dual coding strategy enhances long-term memory retention and makes recall quicker. If you’re learning about historic battles, draw icons like crowns, horses or scrolls with dates on your doodle journal  to create memorable visual associations.

4. Personalized doodles

Add your personal insight and reaction to what you are learning through a doodle. This creative process supports analytical thinking and higher order creativity.

5. Flow charts and mind maps

Make flow charts and mind maps to organise and simplify sequences of information and outline complex concepts.

Doodling is a powerful learning strategy as well as a fun personalization to your notes, turning what might have been a monotonous session into an enjoyable, focused experience. By combining learning and doodling, you are creating a unique map that deepens your grasp on the subject. So, grab your pen and journal, let your imagination run and transform your learning process into something both effective and creatively fulfilling.