How to Take Notes You Will Actually Use
Good notes are not a transcript of the lecture. They are a tool for later studying. The best format is one you will actually review, so pick a method and adapt it.
Before class
Skim the reading or slides for a few minutes. Even a quick preview gives you a framework, so in class you can focus on explanations and examples instead of copying every word.
Three methods worth trying
- Cornell method. Divide the page into a narrow left column, a wider right column, and a strip at the bottom. Take notes on the right during class. Afterward, write questions or keywords in the left column and a two- or three-sentence summary at the bottom. Later, cover the right side and answer the left-side questions from memory.
- Outline method. Use headings and indented bullets to show how ideas relate. Works well for organized lectures.
- Mapping. Draw the main topic in the middle and branch out to subtopics. Useful for subjects with lots of connections, such as biology or history.
Paper or laptop?
Both can work. Typing makes it easy to copy everything word for word, which can mean less thinking. Handwriting forces you to summarize. If you type, deliberately write in your own words, and turn off notifications. If you handwrite, take a photo or scan your notes so they are backed up.
After class: the 10-minute habit
Within a day, spend ten minutes:
1. Filling gaps while you still remember. 2. Writing questions in the margin or in a separate document. 3. Writing a short summary in your own words. 4. Marking anything you did not understand to ask about in office hours or a tutoring session.
This turns notes into a study tool and gives you material for active recall later.
Organizing everything
Use one folder per class, with dates and topic names in file names or page headers. Keep a running list of questions for each class. Before exams, gather all your margin questions into one practice set.
The short version
Preview before class, pick a format such as Cornell notes, write in your own words, and spend ten minutes after class adding questions and a summary. Then study by answering those questions.