I managed to get through undergrad and a MA without really taking notes from my reading, and working right before deadlines (after not doing much hitherto). Since a PhD rewards (and demands) completely different study patterns I'm finding it really difficult. It may sound stupid...but I am having to completely rework my study strategy.

Today will be a new leaf - I will take notes from reading, I will work towards my lit review.....I must...

...or else face the chagrin of my supervisor(s) at the monthly meeting...

My handwriting resembles that of a five year old (left handedly smudged, huge and written in unjoined hand) but I still prefer handwritten to typed notes...

Anyway...off to enlighten myself on the Scottish Enlightenment.

I am trying a different tactic too.. I am a bugger for leaving things to the last minute and kidding myself 'That I work better under pressure'.. So I have been attempting to write my lit review as I read papers and journals..

(Ooo and how good is EndNote I wish I had known about it sooner)

yeah...I used to kid myself I work better under pressure too. I figured that I will start working slowly and steadly towards my pre-Christmas deadline. I don't want to have a miserable mid-december because I've left everything until then.

I'm still getting to grips with endnote...

I actually went to a really good seminar on "how to read" with some good tips for what to write as notes (highlighting is not really very effective apparently!) and also taking regular breaks is parmount.