Good note-taking plays an important role in achieving academic and professional success. You can complete assignments, write papers, and pass exams if you have a good and complete record. For that, use the right technique to record material delivered orally or in writing, for example when attending lectures, seminars, and meetings.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Keep Brief, Clear, and Memorable Notes
Step 1. Write down the details on the top of the paper
Get into the habit of keeping neat notes starting by writing important details at the top of the paper, for example: the date, bibliographic information, and page numbers. This way, you can easily find important information in your notes if you need it.
Step 2. Use easy-to-understand words
Record theories, facts, ideas, and other detailed information in your own words, instead of taking notes verbatim or word for word, except for sentences or phrases that should not be changed. This method will make the brain work actively, help you understand and remember the information presented, and prevent the risk of plagiarism.
Decide which symbol or abbreviation you want to use to make taking notes and learning easier. For example: use the abbreviation “MI” for “scientific method” or “HG” for “gender history”
Step 3. Write only the keywords, instead of writing entire sentences
Imagine you are reading a textbook or listening to a teacher explain material in long sentences that are difficult to understand. Don't write entire sentences while taking notes. Instead, jot down the information that is presented over and over again using keywords to make your notes more concise, tidy, and easy to learn.
For example: while taking an obstetrics course, you may hear certain terms repeatedly, such as: midwife, placental abruption, fever during labor, and preeclampsia
Step 4. Prepare a few blank lines on the notebook to use while studying
When jotting down keywords and information, leave a blank between the two lines so you can use it to complete notes or clarify topics you don't understand. That way, you can take notes on additional material to complement keywords or concepts that need clarification.
Method 2 of 4: Using a Specific Method
Step 1. Write it down by hand
Don't take notes by typing what you read or hear. Instead, take notes manually using straight or italics as this will make it easier for you to understand, remember, and integrate the information presented.
- If necessary, use the Cornell method, which is to take notes in a certain format.
- To be more effective, use a program or application to type notes for better results.
Step 2. Use the Cornell method
Divide the notebook into 3 sections: one smaller section on the left side of the paper to record keywords or questions, another larger section on the right side for recording information, and finally at the bottom for summaries. Fill in each section according to the following instructions:
- The notes section (the largest) is used to record the main ideas of the lecture or reading material. Prepare a few blank lines to fill in with additional notes or questions. List all the material in this section.
- The keyword part (the small one) is used after you finish taking notes. Fill in this section with keywords or questions to explain definitions, show interrelationships, and illustrate continuity.
- The summary section is used after writing keywords. Fill this section with 2-4 sentences to summarize the material you have noted.
Step 3. Create an outline
While reading or listening to the lesson, make notes in the form of an outline. Write down the general information starting at the top left corner of the page. After that, write down the following details for example below the general information goes a little to the right.
Step 4. Record the information by creating an idea map
Draw a large circle in the center of the paper and then write the topic of the material you heard or read in the circle. Make bold lines to show the main concepts and write 1-2 short keywords as a summary of supporting information. Finally, make the lines thinner and shorter and then write down the details as a side note. This method is especially useful for visual learners or if you have difficulty understanding the material being explained.
Method 3 of 4: Listening the best you can
Step 1. Arrive on time
Make sure you're there a few minutes before the meeting, lesson, or event starts. Choose a seat in a certain position so that you can listen to people who are conveying information without being distracted. Arriving on time for a lesson or presentation keeps you up to date with important information.
Step 2. Record related contextual information
Write information to clarify the material in notes at the top of the paper, for example: date, subject, number of meeting participants, topic or theme of the meeting, and other important things. Take note of the information before the speaker starts the presentation or gives an explanation so that you can take full notes.
Step 3. Make sure you have received the material to be discussed
Before the presentation begins, write down all the key words or information written on the board and get photocopies of the materials distributed to all participants. That way, you can get complete information and better understand the material being discussed.
Write the date and other relevant information at the top of the photocopy of the material. When taking notes, use the material as reference material so that you can find relevant information again in photocopies of the material when you reread your notes
Step 4. Listen to the speaker as best you can
Be an active listener during lessons or meetings. Don't let other people, computers, and social media accounts distract you so you can take good notes, understand the material being explained, and remember the information long term.
Step 5. Listen for important words as a means of transitioning information
Being an active listener means listening to certain words that signal important things to note. Take note of the information conveyed after hearing the following words or phrases:
- First second Third
- Especially or especially
- Big improvement
- On the other hand
- For example
- Otherwise
- Next
- as a result
- Remember that
Step 6. Read the notes as soon as possible
After attending a lesson or meeting, immediately set aside time to read the notes. This method helps you find things that need to be clarified or not to be understood to ensure that you understand the information presented and record it accurately and completely.
Rewrite notes as soon as possible. That way, you can immediately determine the material that still needs explanation and it's easier to memorize all the information presented
Method 4 of 4: Reading the Text Correctly
Step 1. Read the entire text at a glance
Before taking notes, first read the text briefly until it's finished. Don't take notes or stop reading to signal because this can be done after you understand the main idea the author wants to convey. This will help you identify the general theme of the reading and the most relevant information to answer questions and explain the subject you want to know. When reading the text, focus on the following:
- Title and summary or summary of reading
- Preface or first paragraph
- Topics that provide an overview of the overall reading material
- Graphic material
- Conclusion or last paragraph
Step 2. Determine why you need to record information from the text
After reading, determine what benefits you got and why you need to take notes. Answer the following questions as a basis for determining what you need to note from the text you just finished reading:
- Do you want to understand the subject or concept of the reading as a whole?
- Do you want to know certain information or details in the text?
Step 3. Focus on the main idea
In general, writers want to convey the main arguments and ideas through their writings. Write down the main ideas you find in the form of short phrases or sentences. Write down the idea in your own words to ensure that you fully understand the important information conveyed in the text.
- In addition to taking notes that focus on the main idea, you can underline or mark text with a pen or pencil. When taking notes, don't forget to write the page number of the text as a reference so that you can easily find the information in the text.
- For example: the phrase “the collapse of the Weimar Republic” is easier to understand than, “The conditions that led to the Nazis taking power in Germany in January 1933 were the result of a conspiracy after World War I and before World War II that ultimately brought down this new country”.
Step 4. Read your notes again
Keep notes for a few hours first. Read again what you just wrote and determine if it fits your understanding. Clarify keywords or ideas that you don't understand and then complete them with useful thoughts and observations.
