Courses, Studying, Top Tips
by Blog Editor

Top 3 Effective ways to take notes

Everyone knows note-taking is an important part of university! During lectures and seminars, your notebook or laptop will become loaded with lots of information. So, how do you write your notes correctly, and most importantly, effectively?

Take a look at our top three methods to maximize your notetaking potential!

1. The Outline Method

Take it from us, your notetaking method doesn’t have to be complicated. The Outline Method is perfect evidence of this because you get to take notes quickly and efficiently, so you can keep up with your lecturer (guaranteed)!

Simply:

Put the TITLE at the top.

  • Add the MAIN TOPIC here
    • Add a SUB TOPIC here
      • Then explain the topics in further detail (this can be information from a slide and/or what the lecturer is discussing).

The Cornell Method

Developed by a University Professor in the 1950s (so you know it’s good) the Cornell Method helps you take notes and remember them! How? You have to actively think about what you are going to write, which helps you retain the information. This notetaking technique also helps you create revision ready content during your lecture!

Simply:

  1. Put the TITLE at the top.
  2. Write your notes as normal in a larger, right-hand column.
  3. Write questions, key words and comments in a smaller left-hand column.
  4. Write a summary of the lecture in a box at the bottom of the page (you can come back to this when you revise)!

3. The Mind Map

Here is one for the creatives out there – you didn’t think we’d forget you, did you? This may give you flashbacks to school, but they taught you it for a reason! This is the perfect notetaking method for those who want to add a splash of colour to their notes. Let your mind (map) go wild!

Simply:

  1. Put your TITLE in the middle.
  2. Begin your branches – these can be as simple as the slide titles your lecturer has used.
  3. Then branch off from your branches! Add extra notes, details and doodles to make it your own.

We hope you have found a notetaking technique that takes your fancy! Let us know your favourite in the comments below.