Effective Note Taking Skills

Writing effective notes during class or a lecture may not seem like a difficult task, but writing notes that you can refer back to in the future for tests and assignments that you understand, takes extra practice.

By following the tips below, you will be well on your way to writing clear notes of great quality!

Be prepared!

The first and arguably most important step to taking notes during class is to come prepared!

This means referencing your course outline to determine what concepts will be discussed in your next class. By doing so, you have the opportunity to review previous notes to ensure you understand the required prerequisite material and to review important definitions and key points from the textbook.

Focus on the main points.

When taking notes in class, do not stress yourself by trying to write down every word that your teacher says. Instead, focus on the primary points made by your teachers, such as important words, definitions, examples, and concepts.

Pro Tip: If the lecture seems to be too fast to follow, jot down important words, dates, names, etc., then refer back to these later and fill in the missing information from your course materials.

Make your notes brief.

Use symbols, abbreviations, and acronyms that work for you!

Do not worry yourself with writing full sentences. Jotting down important notes rather than writing complete sentences will help you focus on the important concepts from the class and will make your notes easier to understand and study later on.

Be consistent.

Choose a note-taking structure/format that works well for you and stick to it!

Your notes will be organized similarly, making them easy to follow and understand when you refer back to them for your studying needs.

Create a summary.

It is important to review your notes every day after class to further perfect your note-taking skills.

When doing this, consider writing a summary of your notes. This will help to identify any questions you have, and help organize the information you have learned (ie., connecting certain concepts to material already learned in the class).

Pro Tip: If any questions arise when reviewing your notes, it is important to follow up with your teacher! This is a very important skill that encourages you to solidify your understanding by reviewing concepts and asking questions.