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Notes Worth Taking

Taking notes is a vital skill for your success in the classroom. Active note taking during class while reading or viewing recorded lectures often helps with focus and active listening skills.

After class, well-prepared notes make studying a smoother process by saving time and energy. The time spent trying to read your writing or remember what that scribble in margins means is time you could spend thinking about main points and making connections between concepts.

Prepare to Succeed

Taking notes is not a magical act. Effective note taking requires preparation before you walk into a classroom, sign into a learning management system, or open a textbook. Prior to a lecture or reading a textbook, prepare yourself to take notes by

Reviewing any information regarding the week’s topic provided in the syllabus, in the course classroom, and in instructor emails.
Reading introductions, overviews, or tables of contents for any readings, articles, or other materials related to the lecture. And, of course, read any assigned readings for that section.
If available, read your notes from the previous class period.

Knowing the topic and having a rough idea of the topic of the lecture or chapter prior to reading will prepare you to identify key concepts and understand important points. Also, be sure to have a pen, pencil, and paper handy or a computer with a fresh word-processing document open and ready to fill.

young college student with an open book in a classroom with other students in the background

Pick a Strategy

Cornell Note-Taking System: It is important to take good notes. There are so many great note taking strategies that are easy to implement. Find a strategy that fits your learning style. For example, the Cornell Note Taking System encourages you to take shorter notes and to review and summarize your notes so you will be ready for your quiz or exam. Review the article for more information on this strategy.

Note taking makes studying easier and improves retention. The question isn’t whether to take notes, but how to take notes. There are many note taking strategies available. It is important to select a method that works for you, so you are more likely to use the method in each and every class. Consider trying one of the note taking strategies identified in this video.

View: Taking notes: Crash course study skills #1 (8:51) | video is closed-captioned

Citation

Thomas Frank (2018). Taking notes: Crash course study skills #1 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/E7CwqNHn_Ns

Study Smart

Once you have well-developed notes, it is time to use them. The act of note-taking helps you stay engaged in class, practice active listening, and engage with the topic. Using your notes as part of your study routine reinforces the information. When you’re studying,

Read your notes as they are and think about the connection between the ideas.
Summarize your notes into more concise explanations with important ideas, names, dates, and examples.
Review your notes and notes summary before the next lecture or study session.

young college student studying at a library on a laptop

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