Note-taking techniques

Two common areas that students often take notes are at lectures and when reading course literature. In some cases, you can use the same tips for different note-taking situations, but sometimes it is different.

Often, students take notes while reading texts from the course literature or during a lecture. Underlining the text or writing by organising your notes based on the lecturer's layout is the usual way. One tip is to begin to take notes beforehand. This serves as a preparation for the brain; it gets used to the area and creates a focus for the reading/lecture. You can, for example, write down what you already know about the area the course or course literature is about. You can also think about what questions you have about the area that you are about to start studying. What works best for you is something you have to find out for yourself. Save these notes and return to them when you have learned more about the subject area. Have you received answers to the questions you asked initially and how well did the list of what you already knew match with what you know now about the subject?

Here are some additional tips:

•     Do not start taking notes right away. Let the lecturer introduce the topic first. Then you will probably get clues as to what it will be about.
•     Do not write down everything! You are not a stenographer. Identify key words and then fill in the details at home as you work through what you heard in the lecture.
•     Use images and symbols to explain concepts and/or processes.
•     Develop a system of abbreviations.
•     Leave room in your notes. Leave space for additional information as you work through your notes. One way is to make notes on one side of a notebook and leave the opposite side blank.
•     If you are taking several courses at the same time, use separate notebooks. Then you do not have the trouble of searching for what belongs to what topic.
•     Read other students’ notes to discover important things that you missed.
•     Add to and/or re-write your notes as you read them at home after the lecture. Remember to review your notes as soon as possible after a lecture; it's easier to remember what you learned if you review immediately

There are several ways to organise your notes. One common method that is often mentioned is mind mapping. Mind maps can be used both as preparation and as a method of reading course literature. Using them can also help you remember things better, as it is a way to create structure and an understanding of a subject. If you would like to read more about mind maps, we recommend Tony Buzan's books about speed reading, mind mapping, and memory techniques.

Another technique for note-taking is the Cornell Notes Method, among others.

We also want to point out the possibility of using technology by audio recording your notes/summaries. Perhaps it would work well for you, after you have read a chapter or listened to a lecture, to record a summary that you can come back to.

Hopefully, you will find something here that can work for you. Dare to try something new and give the different methods a chance!