Short answer: Write short notes straight after finishing each chapter. They become your revision material and reduce the pressure to buy another book.
Why notes help
Writing a chapter in your own words checks whether you understood it. Extra books often repeat what you already have, whereas notes force you to find gaps.
A simple format
- Chapter name and date
- Five to ten key points in your own words
- Formulas, definitions or dates in a separate box
- Two questions you could not answer
Keep them short
Notes should fit about a page or two per chapter. If they grow longer, you are copying, not summarising.
Revise from notes
Use them for weekly revision, and return to the book only for the unclear questions. Our post on using previous year papers shows how to connect notes with practice.
When another book is truly needed
Add a book when the one you have cannot explain a topic clearly. Check second hand books first.
An example for one chapter
Suppose you finish a chapter on a single topic. Close the book, write what you remember, then open it and fill the gaps in another colour. The gaps are the parts to revise. This takes only a few minutes per chapter and gives you the information needed to decide whether the book is working for you.
A simple review cycle
Read the notes one day later, one week later and one month later. If you remember the content easily, you do not need an extra book for that chapter. If you do not, return to the original explanation and update your notes.
Final thoughts
Notes are personal, so adjust the format to suit you. Some students prefer diagrams and flowcharts, others prefer bullet points. What matters is that you can revise from them quickly and that they cover the parts you find difficult. Keep them in one notebook or folder so that they are easy to find.
If a chapter feels too large to summarise, break it into sections and write two or three points per section. Smaller pieces are easier to complete, and finishing them builds the habit that makes the whole method work.
After the exam
Sell the books you no longer need using the sell books page.
Frequently asked questions
Do notes replace books?
No, but they reduce the need for several books on the same topic.
How long should chapter notes be?
Usually one to two pages per chapter.
When should I make them?
Right after finishing a chapter, while it is fresh.