Whether you’re visiting lectures online or in person, you must take notes. They can help you save important information, memorize material in real time, and serve for future reference and repetition.
Sometimes, however, the lecturer talks faster than you can write, making it difficult to note down all the key data. In such cases, you should level up your note-taking skills; all to make the process more efficient and capture all the necessary information.
To make the process easier for students, we’ve put together a list of strategies to help you elevate your note-taking game. Whether to use abbreviations and a Cornell method or take advantage of apps, like best paper writing services or Backtrack, we’ve got you covered. Dive into our list to learn more!
Table of Contents
7 ways to get better at taking notes in class
1. Develop your own note-taking system
Before we start to advise the strategies recognized by many, you should analyze your own note-taking process. Think about what works best for you during the lecture. Some people have a system of symbols, abbreviations, or colors to highlight important information. Others utilize bullet points, numbers, and headings to structure their notes.
Whatever works for you, write it down and try it out during your next class. Although there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to note-taking, you know yourself best. So, finding what works for you and sticking with it is a top strategy for fast and effective writing.
2. Focus on key concepts
One of the most common mistakes made by students is to try to note down everything. While it’s important to pick up on the lecturer’s ideas, it’s no less crucial to focus only on the key concepts.
By trying to write down every single detail, you tense up, preventing yourself from absorbing new information. In addition, you can also miss the main ideas discussed by trying to write down less important information.
As you take notes, identify the main ideas and key concepts and write them down. If you want to reinforce your understanding, rewrite or summarize it in your own words. This way, you can make sure that the idea or concept is clear to you.
3. Use visual aids
It’s no secret that most of the people on the planet are visual learners. We perceive pictures better and faster than text or audio. If you notice something like this about yourself, try to include visual elements in your notes.
Instead of writing something down, draw a picture. However, make it understandable; otherwise, you’ll lose the purpose of note-taking. If your drawings are unclear or confusing, you may end up getting even more confused when reviewing your notes.
Another piece of advice is to include diagrams, charts, or graphs to represent complex data and make small notes near them. It will save you time while also making the information easier to understand.
4. Create abbreviations
One way to make your writing more efficient is to use abbreviations for commonly used words or phrases. Or, create abbreviations for specific terms or words you often hear in lectures. This method is very simple. Yet, it can help you quickly jot down important information without having to write out the entire word or phrase.
For example, instead of writing out “method,” you can write “meth”. Or, instead of writing out “abbreviation,” you can write “abbr”. This method is definitely not going to work in academic writing like essays, research papers, and dissertations. However, it’s vital for student’s notes.
5. Learn Cornell Method
Once proposed by Cornell’s University professor, the Cornell Method became a popular way to battle lectures. It is based on active listening and critical thinking. However, the main attribute of this method is the note sheet developed by a professor.
To use the Cornell Method, format your page accordingly. Create two columns: one on the right for key notes, answers, definitions, examples, and sentences; and one on the left for questions, main ideas, and vocabulary. Also, create a “Summary” section at the bottom. Here, you should summarize your lecture in two or three sentences with the most important points.
Alternatively, download a ready-made Connections Academy template and write down your notes directly into it. This sheet will help to break down your lecture into useful notes and create an effective study guide for exams.
6. Take advantage of online tools and apps
If you’re studying remotely, then taking advantage of various online services and apps is a must. Obviously, you can’t write down everything your professor says. However, if you missed something important, there’s a way to recall it—use Backtrack app.
Backtrack app is a game-changer in the world of note-taking apps. With this app, you can record audio and screen data for up to 5 hours in the past without worrying about missing a single detail.
What’s more, if the thought of re-listening to hour-long lectures scares you, they have a solution. You can take advantage of the Backtrack’s AI note-taking feature. With just one click, you can create transcripts and summaries of previously recorded audio, and review and extract key details without having to listen to the entire recording.
Alternatively, you can use the best paper writing services to analyze and structure your notes. They offer affordable rates to students and provide professional writing assistance. So, whenever you want to outsource research, write a paper, or get help with your notes, they are there to support you.
Key takeaways
Whether you’re a visual or written learner, this guide will equip you with useful strategies and methods to improve your note-taking skills. If you’re curious enough, you can use them all at once. But it’s best to employ trial and error to find the one or a few methods that work best for you.
