Tips that can help you take notes in class easily
Are you the one who struggle the most to write down the notes during a lecture? Have you ever wished for yourself that you might someday take better and effective notes in the class?
The practice of note-taking during lectures is quite intimidating, but with a few strategies and practice, anyone can take clear and effective notes. Generally, taking meaningful notes during the class is considered to be as one of the most crucial tasks for students as this later helps them to recall all of the important information noted down earlier. Thus, written notes can later help students to review and learn all the essential information during the exams. Therefore, most of the assignment experts assist students to take notes in a manner that is essential for them for later use.
Note-taking is considered to be a significant practice among students; if done properly, can be of greater use. It helps the students inculcate better results in their academics and also help them achieve professional success.
Here we have provided some of the best techniques and measures for students that can help them take better notes in the class.
Take notes that are clear and easy to remember
- Make well-structured notes
It is very important for a student to take note details at the topmost part of the sheet. They are often guided to write all the relevant information along with bibliographical details and date on it. Thus, a properly structured note format can help students review information more easily.
- Make notes in your preferable language
Students are told to write all the key facts and ideas in their own words. If you take notes in your own preferable language, then you can understand them more easily. This can further help you retain all the necessary information required and minimize the risk of copied content.
- Make use of keywords
Instead of including those long complete sentences in your text, you can make use of keywords for them to save time and add more of the information to it. Make sure that these keywords are short yet meaningful in a way that can help you for later use.
- Leave space for additional notes
You need to leave space in between the lines and paragraphs written in the notes as this can help you later to add some additional information to it. This can also help you to review information divided into sub-groups more easily and quickly.
Make use of different note-taking methods
- Draft notes by hand
Make sure that you always write out what you hear instead of typing that content in some other form. This helps you to score well in exams and retain all of the important information accordingly. If you follow some other method of note-taking, it is always advisable that you take written notes along with it.
- You can take help of Cornel method
Under this method, you are basically advised to make different sections as per the needs of information. Your note-taking sheet gets divided into specific sections, with a summary part at the end. Make sure that you write all of the main ideas and information in the first section of your sheet. The further written content gets added to your sheet as per the sub-heads provided to them.
- Make an outline
You also need to make sure that when you listen to lectures in your class, you take notes as per the outline format. This outline format needs to be maintained in your sheet along with a left side page, including all the general information.
- Sketch notes through mind-mapping
You can add some shapes and illustrations to your sheet that can help you easily learn and signify information accordingly. As for example, you can make sub-heads in different circles, or you can underline the main points boldly to signify their importance. You can also make use of certain keywords and later summarize the information for a better user. Thus, mind-mapping helps you to support your data and present it in a more understandable manner.
Listen properly during Lectures
- Sit in a proper place
To incorporate all the necessary information in your notes, you need to make sure that you sit in a proper place where the teacher sounds more audible. Find a place that keeps you away from distractions and helps you to take all the important information.
- Note the relevant information
Try including the relevant yet appropriate information to your notes as per the needs of the subject. Make sure that you do not miss anything once the speaker starts talking about it. This helps you to improve the quality of your information and the overall notes.
- Take the guiding material along with your written notes
Though you are writing all vital information in your handmade notes, make sure you also take the guiding material and prospects provided by the teacher along with it. This decreases the risk of missing any information in your notes. Also, don’t miss to write the dates on top of these handouts provided by your teacher.
- Listen carefully and revise the information
You need to be an active listener in your class that helps you to take all the necessary information. Hear words that are usually a sign of something important that cannot be missed. Being an active listener enables you to avoid all the major distractions in the class and concentrate better on lectures.
Make sure you revise and review all the information noted down during the lectures. This needs to be done as soon as possible to avoid mistakes and error in it. You can also seek clarification if it’s done on time, and this can later help you to understand better during exam days. Take guidance from your teachers if there is any doubt left in your mind.
Read carefully before taking notes
- Glide the entire message
Before beginning to write notes, make sure you read the message or text carefully. Go through the entire text first, and then move on to write it down on the sheet. Basically, you need to pay attention to each and every section of the text, so that in the end, you do not miss anything important.
- Highlight the key points
Usually, there are some points that are presented in the form of arguments or some quotes. These special statements thus need to be presented in a manner that highlights them in the entire text. You can either write them boldly or underline them to signify their purpose in your entire notes.
