Sticky Notes for Your Brain: The Art of Zettelkasten by Tanisha Paul

by Academic Skills Peer Coach Tanisha Paul

Have you frequently felt overwhelmed by a flood of notes, readings, and ideas this past semester? You are not alone– many students struggle to turn their study materials into a comprehensive understanding that they can build on and more importantly, retain. Enter the Zettelkasten Method—a time-tested system for organizing knowledge that is sure to transform the way you study, write, and think.

What is the Zettelkasten Method?

“Zettelkasten” translates from German to “slip box,” citing the physical box of flash cards used in its original form. Coined by German sociologist Niklas Luhmann, this study strategy aims to organize information as interconnected ideas rather than isolated notes.

Instead of just collecting facts from your lectures, the Zettelkasten Method urges you to actually link them to build a network of ideas based on associations, similarities, etc. Think of it as creating a “second brain” where information is stored contextually–allowing you to see the abstract connections between ideas, point out gaps in understanding, and synthesize knowledge.

Why Does the Zettelkasten Method Work?

This method relies on popular principles of active recall, spaced repetition, and associative learning to promote long-term memory. By encouraging your brain to categorize and connect ideas rather than passively rereading notes, you consequently strengthen your neural pathways–a process that mirrors how our brain naturally builds understanding: through linking concepts into larger networks of meaning.

Moreover, writing concise, meaningful notes activates deeper cognitive processes than copying verbatim what is spoken by your instructor–urging you to learn actively rather than passively. The intrinsically interconnected nature of this strategy calls on creative problem-solving by revealing relationships between subjects that might otherwise remain hidden or unknown.

How Can I Start Using the Zettelkasten Method?

Take Atomic Notes

Attempt to break ideas into “atomic” pieces– small, self-contained notes that refer to a single thought or concept. Try to avoid copying large blocks of text; instead, summarize in your own words. Imagine that each note is written as if it is for your future self.

Understand the Three Types of Notes

The Zettelkasten Method encourages three specific types of note-taking to keep your knowledge organized and adaptable:

1. Fleeting Notes: These are quick, temporary notes you jot down on the go. Think of them as placeholders for ideas you approach and interact throughout the day–they can be a sentence, a keyword, or even a question. The important thing is to revisit and refine them later, turning the most relevant take-aways into permanent notes.
2. Permanent Notes: These shape the core of your Zettelkasten–they are interconnected, atomic notes that represent the most clarified and refined ideas. After processing your fleeting notes once or twice, convert them into permanent notes by summarizing key points in your own words and linking them to related concepts.
3. Literature Notes: For every book, article, or piece of media you interact with, encourage yourself to create a literature note–this will collect temporary, fleeting notes which are specific to that work. Highlight important sections, jot down your thoughts, and highlight themes or arguments that truly resonate with you.

Assign Unique IDs

Encourage yourself to label each one of your notes (no matter the type) with a unique identifier–a number, code, buzz word, or even a symbol–that makes it easy to reference and retrieve. Digital tools, such as note taking applications, tend to automate this process, but if you prefer analog methods, assign IDs manually.

How to Incorporate the Zettelkasten Method into Your Study Routine

• Start Small: Do not try to transform all of your notes at once. Instead, begin slowly, with a single subject or topic, and gradually incorporate it into your daily studying habits from there.
• Go Digital (or Stay Analog!): Digital tools such as Obsidian, Roam Research, or Notion make it easy to create, link, and organize notes. However, index cards and a physical box can work just as well if you enjoy a more traditional, hands-on approach!
• Utilize During Review Sessions: Instead of rereading your textbook, trace the different pathways that you have formed throughout your Zettelkasten. Use your linked atomic notes to follow the trail of interconnected ideas, which will promote retention and critical thinking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Cosmic Notes: Resist the urge to cram multiple ideas into a single note; rather, keep them atomic, simple, and focused.
• Unlinked and Isolated Notes: Unfortunately, notes without formed connections tend to lose much of their power and effectiveness. Grow into the habit of asking yourself, “How does this idea relate to what I already know?”
• Inconsistent Use: The Zettelkasten Method thrives–and can only really survive–on regular input and maintenance. This means that it’s important to make it a habit to update and review your notes frequently.

 

References

Basu, Arindam. “What is zettelkasten and how to write” papers” using zettelkasten.” (2020). Blair, Ann M., et al. “Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential.”

Kadavy, David. Digital Zettelkasten: Principles, Methods, & Examples. Kadavy, Inc., 2021.

Reck, Rebecca Marie. “Tips for Creating a Functional Personal Knowledge Management System in Academia.” 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. 2023.

Sascha. “Introduction to the Zettelkasten Method.” Zettelkasten Method, 27 Oct. 2020, zettelkasten.de/introduction/.

“The Zettelkasten Method: A Beginner’s Guide | Goodnotes Blog.” Www.goodnotes.com, www.goodnotes.com/blog/zettelkasten-method.

Walker, Michael. “The Power of Obsidian: A Digital Approach to Note-Taking.” KOTESOL Proceedings 2022: 293.