Note-taking hacks for students with memory problems

Memory loss can affect all ages. Depression, anxiety and specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia can all contribute to poor short-term and working memory. Stress and consequent fatigue has also been found to “bog down the brain” and affect memory. Considering 63% of students say they feel levels of stress that interfere with their day to day lives that could be a staggering number of young people struggling to remember in day-to-day activities.

Both short-term and working memory impact a student’s comprehension, confidence and communication skills. The right note-taking app can help the user to remember and process information, reducing stress. 

Google Keep combines speed with style - you can take photos, handwrite with digital ink and record audio. Instead of writing essays, Google Keep is for flashes of inspiration, quick to-do lists and simple notes.

Discover the ways Google Keep can help make life easier for you:

Location-based reminders

The ability to set location-based reminders is one of the main features which sets Google Keep apart from other popular note-taking apps. You can set notes and check-lists to notify you with a friendly buzz when you are in a specific location. Do you keep on forgetting to replace your housemate’s milk? Your shopping list can ping when you are in town. Have you been hoarding some library books you need to return? Note down a reminder to ping when you are on campus. 

The reminders come through on any devices where you’re signed in, as well as an item in your inbox. This way, if you happen to miss the reminder it will be waiting for you to view at a later time. 

Share notes

Ever heard two heads are better than one? Bounce around ideas by virtually sharing your notes to be viewed or edited in real-time with others in Google Keep on Android, iOS and desktop. Tackle tasks together, on the go. Next time you go to the supermarket virtually share your shopping list on Google Keep and watch as your list is updated in real time without the need for hurried texts back and forth. 

Digital post-it notes

If Microsoft OneNote simulates a notepad, Google Keep is a digital note-board. The tile-based interface mimics the efficiency of sticking post-it notes on a board and having a colourful visual of all the things you want to remember in one portable place.  Defeat Dyslexia describes working memory as “the mental equivalent of a piece of scrap paper or a Post It note”; if you’re dyslexic, the post-it note is smaller and more cluttered. Think of Google Keep as a way of intuitively providing extra space for storing thoughts and breaking down ideas into easy to process snippets. 

Bonus hack!

For those extra important notes you need to remember, pin them to the top of your Google Keep feed for faster access, and a daily visual reminder. Don’t let your workload creep up on you- how about pinning a list of your assignment deadlines to your Google Keep?

Use your voice

Solidify your stream of consciousness by dictating your notes in Google Keep on Android and iOS. Simply tap on the microphone icon to have Keep transcribe your words. If you struggle with working memory dictation can really help ease the pressure of having to remember sentences before writing them down.

When you’re done Google Keep will attach the audio recording to the transcribed note. Being able to listen back to your thought process alongside the transcription can also be helpful when reviewing the note at a later date. 

Bonus Hack!

Use Google Assistant on Android to save notes to Keep with a simple “ok google” for an even faster and more integrated note-taking experience. Nowhere near your phone? Whether you’re in the middle of cooking or on a run, a simple “Create a Note” command to your Google speaker or wearable assistant  will save your spoken note to Google Keep. 

AbilityNet can help

AbilityNet is a UK charity that helps people to use technology to achieve their goals. If you have questions about disability and technology you can call us on 0800 269 545 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk.

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Note-taking hacks for students with dyslexia

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