Five Ways to Improve a Scripture Study Journal

I recently finished my first scripture study journal (or at least that is what I call it.) I had watched lots of videos on how to take notes while studying the scriptures, but I ended up just doing my own thing. I wasn't following any sort of format or rules because I didn't want any restrictions. My goal was to simply write down any thoughts, impressions, quotes, questions, or anything else that came to my mind while studying. I thought if I write as I study then I might retain more of the information then I would if I just read it. To be honest, I have started these kinds of journals before, but have never stuck with them long enough to fill up even half (maybe even a quarter) of the journal. You can imagine how happy I was to actually have a completely filled journal. 

Now I am ready to start a new journal, I have a few ideas on how to improve upon my first one. 

Here are my five tips to improve a scripture study journal

#1. Use an Index 

flipping through my first study journal, I can see that the lack of organization will make it hard to find specific scriptures, talks, quotes etc. By using an index, I will be able to find what I am looking for a lot quicker. This will, hopefully, make things like preparing a talk a lot easier. 

#2. Page Numbers

this seems like a no-brainer, but notebooks don't come with page numbers (or the one I got didn't.) Numbering the pages will ensure my index works well.

#3. New Subject - New Page

in my first journal, I started a new chapter or talk right under my previous one. Looking back, I can see why this will make it difficult to find what I am looking for later on. By using a new page for a new subject, I will be able to keep my journal better organized. 

#4. Use more color.

I would like to use direct quotes or scriptures in one color and my own thoughts, opinions, and questions in an different color. My first journal is different colors, but only cause I used whatever pen I could find. By using different colors (on purpose and for a reason,) I will be able to distinguish my own thoughts from the thoughts of others.

#5. Cross Reference

I am studying the talks from this past conference for the second time. I now need to be able to cross reference my new notes about the talk I am studying to my old notes from the same talk. I will list at the bottom of the page where I can find my other notes. 

I am excited to start using my new journal, and all my new tips to improve my scripture study notebook.

side note my notebook did not cost a lot of money at all and has held up beautifully. 
here is a link to a similar notebook to the one I use