Note taking is a valuable skill but one not commonly taught in a classroom. The following techniques and tips will hopefully help you focus on key points, stay organized, and save you time when you study.
The Three Phases of Note Taking
- Before -- Review your notes from the previous class to refresh your memory.
- During -- Practice active listening and use the margins for related thoughts or comments.
- After -- Review your notes within 24 hours of your class and summarize the day's lecture in your own words. If you have a question or need more clarity, ask or email the professor while it is still fresh in your mind.
Note Taking Tips
- Create your own shorthand for words you will use often. For example, "people" might become "ppl" or "approximately" might become "appx".
- Don't write verbatim -- you might miss something if you're furiously trying to write everything the professor says.
- Focus on key facts and main points of the lecture.
- Begin note taking when the professor starts talking -- do not wait until a thought comes to you.
- Separate and label your notes by course and the date the notes were taken.
- Do not be afraid to ask questions or ask professor to repeat themselves.
- Take notes on what you cannot get elsewhere. Is there a PDF of the PowerPoint available? If so, you can focus on writing what the professor says rather than copying down what is on the screen.
Note Taking Methods
Cornell Method
The Cornell method is very popular for taking notes in class or while reading for a class.
- Divide your paper into three parts
- During class, take notes in the "Notes" column.
- After class, fill in the "Cue" column with key words or main topics.
- Within 24 hours of the class, write 1-2 sentences in the "Summary" section reflecting on the lecture as a whole.
Outline Method
This method is a little more straightforward but easy to use when beginning your note taking. Following the outline template below, you will fill in each line with information from your lecture moving from biggest point to smallest point:
Matrix Method
This is a great option when organizing notes and allows you to pull major topics into different categories. This is also helpful when organizing your notes to write a paper.
It is important to find a style that meets your needs and your study habits to ensure you get the most out of your note taking.
Below are some additional titles in our collection that can help with your note taking:
Duffy, J. (2019). The Best Note Taking Apps. PC Magazine, pp. 119-125. Retrieved from: https://ezproxy.chaminade.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=137697510&site=eds-live
Kesselman-Turkel, J. & Peterson, F. (1984). Note-taking made easy [electronic resource]. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press. Retrieved from: https://ezproxy.chaminade.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat05634a&AN=sfl.u526952&site=eds-live.
Peverly, S.T., Marcelin, G., & Kern, M. (2014). Interventions for students with lecture note-taking difficulties. In J. T. Mascolo, V. C. Alfonso, & D. P. Flanagen Essentials of planning, selecting, and tailoring interventions for unique learners. (pp. 387-414). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Retrieved from: https://ezproxy.chaminade.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2014-14418-012&site=eds-live
