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A How-To Guide To Notion: Mastering Your Studies 

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Amsterdam chapter.

When you’re a student it can be quite difficult to organize your study life, assignments, exams, goals and on top of that, social life. It’s time for you to meet Notion. This productivity app will help you conquer the academic world. Notion is the ultimate organizational tool for students because it combines note-taking, task management, database creation, and collaborative features into one platform. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use Notion excel in your studies, from note-taking to group projects and personal growth.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Notion Workspace

  1. Create Pages for Your Main Areas:
  • Lecture Notes: Make a page for each subject and divide them into sessions or topics.
  • Assignments & Deadlines: Create a to-do list or calendar to keep track of upcoming assignments and their due dates.
  • Exam Preparation: A separate page for study guides, practice questions, and resources.
  1. Using Databases for Maximum Efficiency:
  • Transform your pages into databases to filter, sort, and categorize information easily.
  • Add columns for dates, tags, links, and completion statuses.
  1. Don’t Limit it to Studies Only
  • Create a calendar for your social events
  • Keep track a reading list with the checklist option
  • Track your finances

Top Templates

If you don’t know where to start, here are some template ideas to help you:

  1. Class Schedule Template: Visualize your weekly classes and other activities in the schedule board.
  2. Project Manager: Track group projects with a Kanban board that displays each task’s status.
  3. Daily Planner: Stay organized with a calendar view that includes to-dos, events, and goals.

To find more templates, check out the community-driven Notion template gallery or customize existing ones to suit your preferences.

https://www.notion.com/templates?srsltid=AfmBOopo-gHIOo3LxR_JO0OEeSY2es_YHelQ4OL6OLh1W0UXQ5QNkUVn

Organizing Lecture Notes with Notion

Transform your note-taking into an organized, multimedia experience:

  • Use Headers and Toggles: Organize content by headings, subheadings, and collapsible toggles for easy access.
  • Embed Multimedia: Add images, videos, PDFs, and even audio recordings to your notes.
  • Database Linking: Connect lecture notes with other databases (e.g., assignments or projects) for seamless referencing.

Using Notion for Group Projects

We know group work can be tricky. Here’s how to collaborate like a pro:

  • Create Shared Pages: Work on the same page as your teammates and track edits in real-time.
  • Assign Tasks with Kanban Boards: Use boards to list tasks, set priorities, and track progress from start to finish.
  • Comments & Mentions: Use comments to provide feedback and @mention teammates for quick communication.

Tracking Goals and Habits with Notion

Let Notion help with your personal growth and self-care:

  • Build a Habit Tracker: Create a table or calendar to track daily habits, study sessions, and exercise.
  • Set Academic Goals: Use progress bars, milestones, and reminders to track long-term goals.

Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being

Balance is crucial for students. Notion offers customizable self-care tools:

  • Daily Journals: Reflect on your day or jot down thoughts using a simple journal template.
  • Mood Trackers: Monitor how you’re feeling over time with a mood board or tracker.

Notion offers the potential to personalize your study life and everyday routine. Whether you’re working on solo assignments, group projects, or reflecting on your goals, it’s a tool worth trying out. Create your own space with endless possibilities!

Hi I'm Mari! I’m a Peruvian student in my second year of a Bachelor's in Sociology at the University of Amsterdam. I'm very passionate about the arts and love expressing myself through music, poetry, and painting. Alongside my creative persona, I'm a very big sports enthusiast and like exploring a bit of everything.