7 Note-Taking Strategies that Make Studying Easier

People with photographic memory can recall every detail of a lecture or book, but the rest of us can benefit by taking notes! Note-taking is a natural and efficient approach to learning in which you write down only the most significant elements of a lecture or reading for subsequent reference. However, the value you gain from taking notes is only as good as the notes themselves.

We thought we'd provide some pointers on how to enhance your note-taking abilities, whether you're in high school, college, or graduate school. Look at the list below for better and more effective methods to take notes this semester.

7 Advanced Note-Taking Strategies

• Add Dates and Subjects to the Top of the Page

Remembering which subjects were covered in which classes or chapters might be difficult, especially if you're taking many courses at the same time. To keep organized, at the start of each new note-taking session, add the date and topic. This will make it easier to find what you're searching for in the future.

• Put the Speaker or the Text First

We all want our notes to be as detailed as possible, but don't disregard the teacher or the material because you're too preoccupied with taking notes. Always maintain the speaker or reader in the center of your attention, and take notes solely to supplement, not replace your direct learning. Putting notes before the lecture is like putting the carriage before the horse.

• Prepare Ahead of Time

In the middle of class or during a reading session, you have a lot on your mind. Reduce the number of distractions in your mind by completing part of the hectic job ahead of time. This includes any reading or prior activities that inform you of what to anticipate during a lecture, as well as checking past notes to avoid writing the same thing repeatedly.

• Examine Your Notes While They are Still Fresh

Many individuals hold their notes until study time, but it's a good idea to go through them once or twice right after they're written. For one reason, this dramatically enhances memory retention and information imprinting. Other advantages include checking to see whether you missed something or clarifying a mistake or sloppily written term. If you detect these errors too late, you can forget what you were trying to communicate.

• Pay Close Attention to Signals in Lectures and Readings

Certain words or phrases stated by a speaker or book, as well as certain portions of the lesson, such as the beginning and finish, might indicate that the material will be relevant. If you can detect these indications, you'll be able to take notes on what comes next.

• Determine What is and is Not Worth Noting

The benefit of taking notes is that it summarises what you learned for easy reference. If your notes are as extensive and thorough as the original information, they won't be very useful. Only include what is necessary and leave out the rest. If you waste time writing down every nugget of knowledge, you will not only be distracted from the main lesson, but you will also be unable to discriminate between what is vital and what is superfluous later. Personal stories and off-topic tangents are instances of why you shouldn't take notes.

• If Necessary, Use Shorthand

Shorthand is simply another term for employing abbreviations and other time-saving writing techniques. We use them all the time online and when texting to help us write faster, and the same is true for taking notes.

For example, you may use "&" for and, "bc" for because, and "ex." to mention a few. Feel free to create your own abbreviations for terms that you frequently use—just don't forget what they stand for! Get your hands on all the necessary school supplies from eBay alternatives.