How to Take Notes

Effective note-taking is more than just recording or transcribing. It’s an active part of the learning process, requiring quick acquisition of knowledge and rewriting key points in a way that suits your learning style. Once you’re fully prepared for the session, optimize your note-taking process. These steps along with quick editing and rearranging can help you become a better writer.

Table of Contents

Prepare for class

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Complete the reading by the day of class. The teacher gives the reading so that you can familiarize yourself with the topic to be discussed in class. If you finish reading before class, you already know a lot of the details. Then you can focus on taking notes on key concepts.

Also, before going to class, don’t forget to read over your notes from the previous class. As a result, you will know where you left off from the previous session and all the information you need for the next session. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Find study materials and lesson outlines online. If your teacher provides outlines, PowerPoint lectures, or even basic summaries for the next lesson, take advantage of them. Think of them as the skeleton of a house, which you will then complete and decorate with note taking.

It can be easy for you to just print out an outline or lecture and then skip taking notes for the hour or just make quick notes on printed material, one place or another. However, it is much better to use these materials to build your own notes. It is the best way to process information, which is ultimately the purpose of recording. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Weigh the pros and cons of typing in class. Many students are more comfortable with typing than taking notes. Still, there’s reason to consider using the traditional, reliable pen and paper method. Some studies show that students who take notes are better able to understand and remember lessons. With a laptop, it is very easy to fall into a state of mere copying. That’s when you try to type everything you hear instead of actively figuring out what’s the most important information to jot down. Handwriting can help you focus better. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

On the other hand, using a laptop or other electronic device makes it easier to format, save, edit, share, and read back (without worrying about scribbling).
There are countless laptop note-taking aids available, such as: the “notebook layout” format included in Microsoft Word, the software that connects your lecture recordings to your notes, chapters note organizer that helps you to consolidate documents from different types and formats like email or PDF files, a linked note-taking platform that allows you to take notes with others at the same time . They can be a lifesaver or they can be a distraction. Only you can judge what works best for you.
Some teachers and schools prohibit the use of laptops in the classroom. So don’t take lightly the necessity of knowing how to take notes by hand.

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Sit near the top of the room. Choose a place in class where you are less likely to be distracted. Then you will be able to focus and take better notes. Find a place where you can see and hear the instructor clearly. You should also be able to see the board clearly. Come to class a little early to get a seat.

If you find yourself distracted by the noise of a few other students, the air-conditioning fan, or unfortunately glare from the projector screen, discreetly switch seats if you can without significantly affecting them. mention class. If that’s not possible, try as hard as you can during that class and find a different position next time.

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Ensure adequate reserves for recording. If you take notes by hand, bring a spare pen, pencil, and paper. If taking notes on a laptop or other electronic device, make sure they have enough batteries and are ready as soon as class begins.

Some people like to use separate notes that can be spread out on the table or the floor while studying. Others feel that their notebooks will be neater.

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Date and lecture topics for notebooks. Make sure your notes are clearly noted for easy reference later. Write the date and topic of the lecture at the top of each page. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If you have multiple pages of notes, don’t forget to number them as well. This makes it easier to keep notes in order.

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Consider formatting options for your notes. The neater and more organized the notes at the beginning, the easier they will be to understand, edit, and study later. The outline format is an option for you, especially if the lecture is structured and/or so presented. In this format, you will itemize sections. Below that, ideas are recorded in bullet form and supporting ideas are recorded in smaller bullet points. This is much better than writing everything as new, peer-to-peer.

Note that lecturers are not always structured in presenting main points and supporting ideas. Remember, you may have to organize your notes after class.

Optimize your notes

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Remember to take notes instead of recording the lecture. To take better notes, you need to be an “active listener”. This means more than just recording what you hear. Instead, you should focus on the lesson and decide what is the essential part of what has been covered.

For example, instead of spending time rewriting every detail of Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy actions, try to establish key concepts in his general foreign policy and identify examples. clarify. That way, you have begun the process of learning and understanding (or in other words, acquiring knowledge).
The need for this active interaction is one of the reasons why many experts oppose recording lectures. ^{[5] X Research Sources}^{[6] X Research Sources}
If you are determined to record your lecture or have a good reason to do so, consult your professor before doing so. Lectures are considered intellectual property of the professor. In addition, some schools have specific policies for recording.

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Listen to the introduction carefully. Don’t waste your warm-up time taking notes at the start of class. Be ready from the start.

Lectures usually begin by going straight to the points to be covered, or at least hinting at a direct “clue” of what is to be learned. Listening carefully to understand the content orientation at the beginning of the lecture will help you organize and identify what is the most important part.
Don’t pay attention to people who are late or not ready to take notes.

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Copy what is written on the board. Every teacher arranges a lecture into some sort of outline, even if it’s not really clear or isn’t followed during the lecture. The information contained in the lecture slides will give you suggestions on how to organize and present the recordings reliably.

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Learn to take cues and cues from the instructor. They will use verbal expressions, hand signs, and other allusions to emphasize important parts of the talk. Start observing these expressions and gestures to realize what is important information. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Identify the main idea by recognizing words and phrases that signal, indicate that something is important, need to follow up. Teachers will not launch rockets when presenting an important new idea or giving an example. However, they will use signs to communicate what they are doing. All skilled speakers do, and you should expect to receive these signs. Examples include:
- There are three reasons why…
- First, second, third…
- The importance of this is…
- The effect of this is…
- From here we can see…
You also need to learn to recognize other clues. When giving the main idea, the teacher may speak slower or louder, repeat a word or phrase, pause longer before continuing (maybe even for a drink), make more pronounced hand gestures , stop walking around and/or look more closely at the listener, etc.

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Build your own shorthand method. Shorthand is a way to use shortcuts so you don’t have to write all the words. You can also take notes faster – that’s an essential skill when listening to lectures in class. However, when taking notes, don’t use real stenography like a stenographer. This requires quite a long record. Instead, develop a system of shortcuts, abbreviations, symbols, outlines, etc. Even if no one understands, you will know what you mean. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Abbreviate and omit unimportant words for effective note-taking. Record only the key words needed to get the point across. Skip words like “is” and “then,” words that don’t add meaning to the content of the lecture. Create symbols to help you write quickly, such as arrows to indicate increase/decrease or cause-and-effect relationships, and especially abbreviations for repetitive terms (e.g. QHQT for important international system).
Rephrase everything but specific formulas and definitions or things that are likely to be cited verbatim in the test. ^{[9] X Research Source}
Underline, circle, star, color or similar marks for key examples, definitions, or other important content. Set up a separate marking system for each type of information.
Try drawing diagrams or illustrations for concepts that you cannot quickly express or understand immediately. For example, draw a pie chart to roughly show the relative strength of political parties in a given election instead of writing the details.

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Write clearly. Make sure the letters and words are spaced enough and clear enough that you can read them again. Nothing is more discouraging than failing to proofread one’s own notes, especially when studying for a biology exam.

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Leave room for notes and edits later. Don’t try to cram as much as you can on the page. ^{[10] X Research Sources} Leave plenty of room for yourself to edit and annotate later. This way of writing also makes it easier to read and absorb information.

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Pay attention to the conclusion of the lecture. It’s easy to lose focus as the clock ticks towards the end of class. Other students can start packing up their materials and whispering about what to have for lunch. However, the conclusion of the lecture is just as important as the opening in giving the overall picture as well as key concepts and themes.

If there is a summary at the end of the lecture, stay focused on it. You can use it to check the post structure. If it doesn’t seem like your notes are really organized, jot down the main idea covered in the summary. It will help you to edit your notes later. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Make a question. During class as well as at the end of the lecture, be sure to ask questions about points that are unclear. When other students ask questions, record the teacher’s questions and answers. ^{[12] X Research Sources} This additional information may also answer your question.

If you’re afraid you’re delaying the class with questions (and annoying other students who’ve already walked one foot out the door), ask the professor questions after class. Chances are you’ll come across many other students doing the same thing and also listening to their questions.
You can also bring your list of questions to your professor during office hours.

Editing notes

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Review your notes as soon as possible. Do it within 24 hours of finishing the class. By that point, you’ve probably forgotten 80% of the lecture content. ^{[13] X Research Sources} Deepen your learning based on what you’ve just learned instead of re-learning the entire content.

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Edit, don’t copy. Treat class notes as a draft and revisions as your edited version. Create a new record. It will be especially helpful if your notes are unorganized, messy or illegible, hard to read. Don’t just copy it as it is. You should make this part a proactive editing process. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Use clues related to structure and key concepts that you picked up during the lecture to organize your writing.
Fill in the bad notes with content from the textbook.

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Highlight important parts of the lecture. When editing your notes, you should also take the time to highlight or underline important parts of the lecture. Use crayons or pens to color code repetitive concepts. Marked notes will be very valuable when starting to study for the exam. They allow you to recall the essential content of each lesson section quickly and efficiently.

Try the Cornell note taking method

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Divide the page into three parts. The Cornell method is a note-taking method in which you first take notes on the main idea, and then develop questions from those notes. Split the page in half by drawing a vertical line about 8 cm from the left margin. Extend this line almost to the end of the page, about 5 cm from the bottom edge of the page.

For laptop users, there are programs that can help you format your editing software according to the Cornell Method.

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Write the main idea of the lecture. On the largest part of the divided page, jot down the main idea of the lesson as you listen to the lecture. Leave enough room for later editing.

More examples, charts, graphs and other content discussed in class.

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Ask yourself questions after class. The left side of the page is used to create your own questions from the notes section. These questions can help clarify ideas, definitions, etc. Review your notes within a day or two, thus ensuring better recall of information.

You can construct potential test questions from this document. What do you think the teacher will ask in a test?
When reviewing your notes, preparing for the test, cover the right side of the page and see if you can answer the question on the left side.

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Summary of lecture notes at the bottom of the page. Use the footer to summarize the notes on the page. It will help you recall the important points in this part of the lesson.

Advice

If you miss a class, you need to make notes in your notebook so you don’t forget. This will help you remember to borrow notes from your classmates instead of skipping the entire lesson.
Have the right attitude. Good hearing is related to paying attention. Be prepared mentally, ready to accept anything the lecturer may have to say, even if you disagree with it.
Concentrate and keep notes of each subject in one place, a separate notebook or part of a notebook. Make sure the notes are organized in sequence and have clear titles. Consider using a loose notebook instead of a sticky note pad – so you can organize your notes in the most efficient way when you need to study for a test.

Warning

Avoid doing anything that could distract you or someone else from taking notes, such as doodling or twirling the pen. Such activities disrupt eye contact and concentration, and irritate those around them. So, if doodling or twirling your pen helps you study well, sit closer to someone with similar habits or find a more secluded spot.

Steps