Choose words you actually encountered
Start with expressions that appeared in reading, conversation or a task you want to perform. Record where you found them and what you needed to understand. A list of hundreds of words may look comprehensive yet become difficult to use. A small collection connected to your routine allows more concrete questions. The notebook should support the learning you are doing, rather than merely display how many terms you managed to copy.
Keep a sentence and a reference
When noting a word, add a short sentence showing its use. Check the meaning in a suitable source and identify relevant differences, such as formality or region. If you copy an example, record its origin and avoid reproducing long passages. You can then create your own sentence, keeping confirmed examples distinct from personal attempts. This separation makes it easier to review errors without losing the reference you used to learn.
Organise by situation
Try grouping expressions by context: asking for information, explaining a problem, arranging a meeting or describing an object. The same word may appear in more than one group. You do not need a definitive system before starting. If you prefer alphabetical order, add a small thematic index. A useful system lets you find an expression when you have a concrete purpose rather than depend on remembering the page where you wrote it.
Review actively
Cover part of an entry and try reconstructing the sentence or explaining when you would use it. Then compare it with the reference. Rereading alone can make it difficult to judge what you can retrieve without looking. A short review can focus on a few entries. Record a question to investigate later instead of turning each session into endless research. The aim is to create opportunities for use and correction while acknowledging what remains uncertain.
Let the notebook evolve
Over time, some words require less attention and others reveal new meanings. Update entries when you encounter different examples. Do not erase a question merely to keep the page tidy: a note about what you learnt later may be valuable. If the system becomes cumbersome, reduce the fields. A date, an expression, a sentence and a reference may be enough to start. The best notebook is one you revisit and can use beyond the activity of filling it in.
