11 Essential Note-Taking Techniques for Students

Taking your own notes, whether it is during class lectures or when you’re at home busy studying, can transform the way you learn and remember information. But as we all differ, we use different note-taking techniques to help us.

If you’re not taking notes and want to start doing so, or if you think your note-taking style could use some improvement, then this guide is for you.

What Is Note-Taking?

Note-taking is the process of rewriting information in your own words or symbols to help you better understand and remember it. Whichever note-taking technique you use allows you to organise and synthesise the information that you receive, rather than just passively listening or reading it.

Why Is Note-Taking Important?

There are many reasons why note-taking is important for students. Here are a few reasons why note-taking is vital for your academic success:

• Improved retention: When you take notes, your brain actively engages with the information. It is like “rewriting” the information in your brain. This helps you remember it much better.
• Active learning: Instead of just passively listening or reading (and forgetting not long after), note-taking forces you to interact with the information actively.
• Enhanced comprehension: When you write information in your own words, it makes more sense to you than just copying someone else’s notes. This way, you can better understand complex ideas and concepts.
• Better organisation: A folder/notebook with your notes can be an invaluable learning resource. You can find all the relevant information that you need for your studies in one place rather than having to search through pages and pages of textbooks.

11 Essential Note-Taking Techniques

Now that you know why note-taking is essential, let’s take a look at some of the most effective note-taking strategies and methods that can help improve your note-taking game!

1. Cornell Note-Taking Method

The Cornell note-taking method is a popular and systematic approach to note-taking. It involves dividing your page into three sections: the cue column, notes column, and summary section.
To start with this process, you need to follow these three steps:

• In the note-taking column, write down important information and key points from your lecture or reading material. In this section, you only write down what is essential. Make use of symbols and abbreviations to increase your note-taking speed.
• After class or lecture, review your notes and write down guiding questions or prompts in the cue column to recall information. Your cues should help you to understand and memorise the notes in the note-taking column.
• Summarise the main ideas in your own words in the summary section. This will help reinforce what you have learned.

2. Mind Maps

Mind maps are a visual note-taking technique that uses diagrams to connect information and ideas. If you’re a visual learner (meaning you learn best by seeing information), this note-taking method is perfect for you.

To create a mind map, start with a central idea or topic and then branch out into subtopics or related ideas. This way, you can easily see the connections between different concepts and remember them more effectively.

3. The Outlining Method

This note-taking method is best suited for structured, well-organised lectures or texts. It involves creating an outline of the main ideas and subtopics in a hierarchical format.

To use this method, follow these steps:

• Start with a heading for the lecture or reading material.
• Underneath, write down bullet points for each subtopic and indent them accordingly under the main topic.
• Add details and examples under each subtopic.
• Leave enough space between topics so that you can add additional notes during class or after reading your study material.

4. The Charting Method

If your lecture or reading material involves a lot of comparisons, this note-taking method will be useful. It involves creating a table or chart to organise information.

To use this note-taking strategy, you’ll need to draw a table with headings for the main categories or topics. Then, fill in the columns with information under each heading.

5. Index Cards Method

This is a fun one!

Index cards are small cards used for jotting down key points or ideas. They’re useful because they can be easily shuffled and arranged in different ways to help you make connections between concepts.

To use this method, write one main idea or concept per card and then arrange them to create associations between different topics.

6. Audio Recording Method

If you’re someone who prefers to listen and absorb information rather than write it down, audio recording may be the best note-taking method for you.

To effectively use this method:

• Record the lecture or reading material on a device like your phone or computer as you listen back to the recording, take notes by summarising key points and concepts
• Use timestamps to mark important information so you can easily find it later.

7. The Sentence Method

Some of us tend to take notes by writing down every single word that is said. While this may seem like a thorough method, it can often lead to missing out on key points and becoming overwhelmed with too much information. But, if you’re someone who prefers to write down everything, the sentence method may work best for you.

In this method, you’re going to write down numbered sentences that summarise the main ideas.

For example, this sentence:

“The key to effective note-taking is finding a method that works best for you.”

was the main point; your numbered sentence would be:

“1) Effective note-taking = finding a personal method.”

Using this method, you can easily review and recall information by scanning through your notes quickly. It also helps in condensing information and avoiding writing down unnecessary details.

8. The Boxing Method

This method does not involve a pair of gloves or a boxing ring. Instead, it incorporates drawing boxes around key points and ideas to help you visually organise your notes.

Start by dividing your page into columns or sections, depending on the type of information being presented.

Use different coloured markers for each column and highlight important keywords or phrases within the text.

Draw boxes around these important words to make them stand out and easily identifiable.
This method is especially useful for visual learners and helps in creating a clear hierarchy of information. It also encourages active reading by forcing you to identify the main points and summarise them in your own words.

9. Flow-Based Method

The flow-based method is for our creative note-takers.

This note-taking method has no structure and allows for a more free-flowing approach to capturing information. Important information is linked with an arrow that flows from one idea to the next, creating a visual representation of connections and relationships between ideas.

This method encourages critical thinking and the ability to make connections between different concepts. It also allows for flexibility in note-taking, as there is no set structure or format to follow.

10. T Notes Method

The T notes note-taking method is where you divide your page into two columns: the left column for key points and headings and the right column for additional details and examples. This method is useful for organising information and making connections between main ideas and supporting details.

• Use bullet points or short phrases in the left column to jot down key points as you listen or read.
• In the right column, expand on these key points with more in-depth information or examples.

11. Q/E/C Method

The Q/E/C note-taking method stands for Question, Evidence, and Conclusion. This method is particularly useful when studying argumentative learning materials such as History.

To use this method effectively, take a piece of paper and write down three columns labelled “Question,” “Evidence,” and “Conclusion.”

• “Question” column: write down any questions that come to mind as you read or listen to the material
• “Evidence” column: record any evidence or examples from the material that answer your question
• “Conclusion” column: summarise your findings and conclusions

Additional Tips For Effective Note-taking

• Use abbreviations and symbols to speed up the note-taking process (e.g. “&” for “and”, “->” for “leads to”, etc.)
• Write down any key terms or vocabulary words that are new to you.
• Use different colours or highlighters to distinguish between main ideas, supporting details, and examples.
• Leave enough white space between notes to make it easier to read and understand later on.
• Review your notes regularly and rewrite or summarise them in your own words to reinforce your understanding of the material.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification if you don’t understand something during a lecture, class, or while reading.
• Practise active listening and engagement by paraphrasing the information and making connections with prior knowledge.
• Use technology to your advantage by taking notes on a laptop or tablet, using voice recording apps, or taking pictures of whiteboard notes. You can also make use of free online platforms or apps, such as Google Keep, to assist you in making notes.

Improve Your Note-Taking Game Today!

Experiment with a few of these note-taking techniques and see which one works best for you! Remember, effective note-taking takes practice, and finding the right method for your learning style may take some time.

If you still feel that your note-taking skills could use improvement, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Tutor Doctor!

Our X-Skills programme and tailored tutoring services in South Africa can help you develop strong note-taking strategies that will benefit you, especially during exam preparation and studying.