Ibrahim Gardner
Taking good notes is an important part of academic success in college. It can help students focus, understand main concepts, and improve their active listening, comprehension, and retention. However, taking notes in college is not as simple as it was in high school, and there is a much higher expectation of individual initiative and discipline. Students need to find a note-taking method that suits them and their learning style, whether that be handwritten or digital notes, or a combination of both. Effective note-taking strategies include keeping notes short and concise, using abbreviations and symbols, focusing on main points, thinking critically while writing, and minimizing distractions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Note-taking method | Paper with pencil or pen, digital, or both |
| Note length | Short and concise |
| Note content | Only the most important information, new information, and original thoughts and ideas |
| Organisation | Use virtual or physical notebooks with sections or tabs for each class or subject |
| Distractions | Minimise distractions by turning off notifications |
| Space | Leave space for additional comments and independent reading |
| Visual elements | Use diagrams, illustrations, flow charts, and images to enhance your notes |
| Abbreviations | Use abbreviations and your own "code" to save time |
| Sources | Always write down the original source of information to avoid plagiarism |
| Legibility | Write legible notes, giving yourself space to add comments later |
| Review | Review your notes periodically to keep the content fresh in your mind |
What You'll Learn
The Cornell Notes style
To optimise your Cornell notes, use the left column to write questions for quizzing yourself during revision. Even if your notes are incomplete, always include a summary based on the existing points on the page. Review your notes regularly to retain most of what you have learned.
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Using lecture recordings
Recording lectures can be a great way to ensure you don't miss any important details and can help you focus on understanding the content rather than frantically scribbling down every word. Here are some tips for using lecture recordings to take effective notes:
Choose a Recording Device
You can use a dedicated digital recorder, your smartphone, or your laptop to record lectures. Select a device with ample storage capacity to last the term or semester. If using a recorder or smartphone, consider the microphone quality and test the sound by recording yourself speaking at different distances and locations in the lecture hall. If using a laptop, get as close as possible to the lecturer to ensure the microphone picks up their voice clearly.
Notify the Lecturer
Before recording, be sure to notify the lecturer that you will be recording the session. Ask for their permission to place your recorder near them if you are seated far away. It is essential to respect the lecturer's wishes and any relevant policies or guidelines regarding lecture recordings.
Get a Good Seat
Whether you are using a recording device or your laptop, try to get a seat as close to the lecturer as possible. This ensures that you capture the lecture clearly, with minimal background noise. If recording with a laptop, coordinate with the lecturer beforehand and arrive early to secure a spot near the front.
Record the Full Lecture
Ensure that you have enough storage space to record the entire lecture. This way, you don't miss any crucial details. If using a laptop, make sure your device is adequately charged and connected to a power source if needed.
Review and Supplement Your Recordings
After the lecture, review your recordings and use them to supplement your handwritten or typed notes. Fill in any gaps, clarify any doubts, and use the recordings to reinforce your understanding of the material. You can also use tools like Notta to transcribe your recordings and generate notes automatically.
Organize and Secure Your Recordings
Keep your lecture recordings organized and secure. Name your audio files and store them in subject folders. Back up your recordings to the cloud or an external hard drive to ensure you don't lose them. This way, you can easily access them whenever you need to review the material.
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Paper vs digital
Note-taking is an essential part of the learning process, and there are many different methods and techniques to choose from. The two most common methods are taking notes by hand, with pen and paper, or digitally, using a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Both methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the individual to decide which works best for them.
Paper Notes
Paper notes are the traditional, time-honoured way of taking notes. They are the most accessible method, requiring only a pen and some paper, which is inexpensive and easy to carry. Paper notes also offer the highest level of information retention, as the writer must be selective about what they write down, and the physical act of writing helps to reinforce the information. Paper notes are also distraction-free, as they do not have the same potential for distraction as digital devices.
However, paper notes are easy to lose or destroy, and they are difficult to correct or edit. They can also be time-consuming to write, and archiving and organisation can be challenging, especially when compared to the search and categorisation functions of digital notes.
Digital Notes
Digital notes offer a range of benefits, such as speed and efficiency. Most people can type faster than they can write, and digital notes can be easily edited, corrected, and organised. They are also highly portable, as multiple subjects can be stored on one device, and they are easy to share and back up.
However, digital notes can be expensive, and devices need to be regularly charged. They can also be a source of distraction, with notifications, emails, and social media just a click away. While digital notes are quick to take, they may not aid information retention in the same way as handwritten notes. Studies have shown that laptop note-takers tend to simply transcribe lectures, rather than processing and reframing the information in their own words.
Both paper and digital notes have their advantages and disadvantages, and the best method for an individual will depend on their personal preferences and learning style. Paper notes are inexpensive and aid information retention, but they are difficult to edit and organise. Digital notes are quick and easy to take, edit, and share, but they can be expensive and may hinder learning efficacy.
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Active listening
Prepare in Advance
Before attending a lecture, make sure you are prepared with the relevant reading or viewing material. Previewing the content beforehand will help you identify the main ideas and concepts that will likely be discussed, and you can then focus on these during the lecture. It is also a good idea to look at the course syllabus to understand the topic and focus of the class. This way, you can anticipate the important points and be ready to capture them.
Choose a Suitable Seat
Sitting at the front of the class can help you stay attentive and focused on the lecture. Although it may feel daunting, it is the best way to ensure you can hear and see everything clearly, without distractions.
Be Selective
It is important to remember that you do not need to write down everything. Focus on the main points and new information. Write down keywords, dates, and names, which you can then explain or define later. Use abbreviations and symbols to save time and create visually clear and concise notes.
Listen and Observe
Pay attention to the lecturer's body language and tone of voice. If they revisit a point several times or write something on the board, it is likely to be important. Listen for signal words or phrases that indicate key information, such as "There are four main..." or "To sum up...". Non-verbal cues, such as pointing or gestures, can also highlight important points.
Review and Revise
Note-taking does not end when the lecture finishes. It is essential to review your notes within a day or two to fill in any gaps and clarify your understanding. This will help you better organise your thoughts and determine the most important concepts. Regularly reviewing your notes will also improve your retention and comprehension of the material.
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Reviewing notes
Reviewing your notes is an essential part of the note-taking process. It is important to do this periodically, not just at exam time. Studies show that those who don't review their notes will forget 40% of the information learned after the first 24 hours and 60% after 48 hours. Therefore, it is recommended to go back over your notes after class (ideally within a day or two) to check for clarity and fill in any missing pieces. This can help you better organise your thoughts and determine what is most important.
When reviewing your notes, you should write a summary in your own words, write questions about your notes, fill in any gaps and chunk them into categories or sections. You can also use your notes to make a study guide and self-test to prepare for exams.
One of the benefits of taking notes by hand is that you can more easily review them. When you have a big exam coming up, it is helpful to be able to easily search all your notes for the course for a specific term. Building some time into your routine to convert your handwritten notes into typed notes gives you the best of both worlds. The initial handwriting is valuable, and the process of re-typing is your first level of review. During this process, you will naturally start to categorise and synthesise the information.
It is also important to organise your notes immediately after taking them. If you are handwriting your notes, consider having a separate notebook for each class or a binder with tabs for each course. If you are taking digital notes, Microsoft OneNote is a good app that allows you to organise your notes into virtual notebooks and tabs.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several note-taking techniques that can be used, such as the Cornell Notes style, which includes sections for the date, essential question, topic, notes, questions, and a summary. Another technique is the Outline method, which organises the lecture by main points, allowing room for examples and details. The Flowchart/concept map technique is a visual representation that works well when content has an order or steps involved. The Charting Method involves dividing key topics into columns and recording facts underneath. Lastly, the Sentence Method is one of the simplest forms of note-taking, helpful for disseminating which information from a lecture is important.
Here are some tips for effective note-taking:
- Keep your notes short and concise, focusing on the most important information.
- Use abbreviations and symbols to save time.
- Write in bullet points and phrases instead of complete sentences.
- Use visual elements such as diagrams, illustrations, or photos to enhance your notes.
- Highlight or underline key points and conclusions.
- Number your pages if taking notes by hand.
- Review your notes periodically to keep the content fresh in your mind.
Research has shown that people tend to retain information better when they handwrite their notes compared to typing them. The process of writing by hand involves deeper mental processes, leading to a better understanding of the material. Additionally, handwriting notes helps develop a good note-taking habit as it forces students to be more selective about what they write down.
To improve your note-taking skills, it is important to prepare and organise your notes. Preview the material before the lecture to identify the main ideas and concepts. Keep separate notebooks or sections for each class and title your pages with the class name and date. During the lecture, focus on the main points and use your own words to write about what you understand. Leave space to add comments and supplement your notes with independent reading.
When determining what information to write down, pay attention to introductory and final remarks, as they often include summaries or overviews of the main points. Listen for signal words or phrases that indicate important points, such as "There are four main..." or "To sum up...". Repeated words or concepts and non-verbal cues, such as pointing or vocal emphasis, can also indicate the key points of the lecture.
