Diving into effective note-taking techniques is like unlocking a treasure, where each note acts as a key that opens doors for success and achievement. Intriguing, isn't it?
Before diving into those life-saving steps, I would like to ask a question.
Do you find yourself writing notes primarily during the first semester of your university or the initial term of your school life and then stopping?
If your answer is "yes", you're not alone. I personally do that and I think that 95% of people are going through this issue. That is why it is crucial to follow some steps as it will help you become more organized.
I personally use those steps and it has been very helpful so let us delve into them!
Secrets of Taking Notes
Employ a Clear Structure
Ever found yourself lost in large paragraphs while studying? Let's be real, it's not the most effective, is it? Picture this instead: bullet points, well-defined headings, and numbered lists. That is the secret for organized notes and believe me it's a time saver. We all don't want to study one night before exams and believe me if you use a clear structure, you can easily skim and scan through your notes during the exam period. So, what do you think?
Active Listening and Summarization
Now, let's talk about a game-changer in your note-taking journey. Picture yourself in class, soaking in the professor's wisdom instead of being a transcription machine. Here is a tip: during classes and lectures, try to grasp the important information that your professor talks about and write it in your own words. By doing that, you will remember and recall the information faster and you will also have a deeper understanding of the topics discussed. So, do you really need to transcribe information when you can process it? hmm, I don't think so.
Visual Aids and Diagrams
Let us now include some creativity in your notes! Incorporating visual elements such as mind maps, diagrams, and charts in your notes is not just visually appealing, they also make information stick. Highlighters and different colors? obviously, they are your secret weapons to make better notes. Not only that, but we also recommend you to draw in your notes and this is especially helpful for biology classes or if you are a medical student.
Active Engagement with Materials
Now let's turn your notes into conversation! Ask questions as you jot down your notes. Believe me, it is a game changer! Encourage that inner detective to pop questions, fostering critical thinking and processing information. And here is a pro tip: try linking information to personal experiences and by that, you increase the chances of recalling what you have studied. Not only that but you also create memorable stories!
Revise and Review
Last step is to revise and review you notes so make sure to keep your notes up-to-date and making sure that the information stays fresh in your memory. A recommendation that we could give you is that try to look at your notes everyday to make sure that you still remember the information. This will make it easier for you during exam periods.
This video summarizes all the steps mentioned. You can watch it here or download it
Apps that help in taking notes
Notion is considered one of the apps that are very useful for taking notes as it provides you with a lot of features like a planner, time management, and many more. You first have to create an account and you will be able to take the best notes during classes. Not only this, but you can also share your notes with your friends! Notion is just the perfect app for you to download if you are looking for an organized and well-structured note.
Microsoft One Note is another app that you can use to take notes for each class. Let us say you want to take notes for your marketing class, you can easily create a specific book designated for that particular subject and then create different sections for each topic. This app is very easy to use and also so helpful. You can also upload PDF's, pictures etc. Another benefit that is similar to Notion is that you can share your notes with other.
Noteledge is another app that we recommend if you want to have neat and organized notes. In this app, you can create different notebooks for each subject and then add all your notes according to that. It is mostly affective for tablet or iPad users since you are only allowed to draw and sketch. For example, using diagrams, tables, illustration etc. Not only that but you can also upload pdf's, recordings, photos, videos and more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being able to take effective notes during lectures can provide many benefits and if you want to be a more productive and successful person, you should take notes. By following the steps we provided you with and the recommended apps, we are sure that you will achieve better results!
Question: What are other tips you would like to offer regarding note-taking? Do you have any other application recommendations? Leave your comment below!
Nice blog, I fond it when I was searching for some ideas and app for taking notes. You can add also the Evernote app. Evernote is a note-taking and organization app that allows users to create, manage, and archive their notes, tasks, and files across various devices. It's designed to help users capture ideas, create to-do lists, and improve productivity by keeping information easily accessible and organized. I hope this an help. Wish you all the best and keep it up.