STUDENT SUCCESS

Effective Strategies for Better Notetaking

Taking effective notes is a crucial skill for academic success, especially in challenging or advanced courses. When coursework or lectures feel overwhelming, it helps to have a short-form review to jog your memory.

Below is a guide to help you enhance and build on your notetaking skills with practical methods that may otherwise get lost in the shuffle of a hectic school year. Remember, you don't need to use all these strategies at once—you can start with the one that seems most useful and build from there.

1. Color coding

Color coding is an easy way to boost the organization and retention potential of your notes; bright colors draw your eye to essential and priority points during review. Choose different colors to represent important concepts like chapter headings, examples and summaries, key points, and confusing topics.

You can use highlighters, colored pens, or even digital tools with different fonts and colors. Experiment with your method to find what works best for you.

2. Two-column method

The two-column method, also known as Cornell Notes, is another option for intentional notetaking. When using this method, you write your title at the top, followed by two columns (the right column should be larger in size), and a space at the bottom. In the right column, write all your lecture notes as you normally would. Reserve the smaller left column for keywords and questions related to the notes on the right. At the bottom of the page, write a one- to two-sentence summary of the content.

When studying, cover the right column and try to answer the questions or summarize the information in the left column. This technique not only helps with retention, but also with understanding how well you know the material.

3. Outline method

If you prefer a structured approach, the outline method might be your go-to notetaking strategy. For this, you organize your notes beginning with the main topics as headings, then indent your subtopics underneath, and use bullet points for details and examples under each subtopic.

This method is great for visual learners who need to see the hierarchy and relationship between different pieces of information. Keep your notes concise and to the point, using phrases rather than full sentences so as not to overwhelm the page.

4. Study strategies

To make the most of your notes and ensure that you retain what you've written, there are several different strategies to employ when studying. Repeating exposure means you regularly read, rewrite, and revisit your notes multiple times to keep them fresh in your mind. Creating flashcards with your notes or using online apps to test yourself helps you actively engage with the material and identify areas that need more focus. Collaborating with classmates or creating study groups to review notes and test each other on the material can also help—explaining difficult concepts to others is a powerful way to reinforce your understanding.

Don't wait until just before the test to review your notes. Consistent, spaced-out review sessions are most effective.

Remember, the goal is to find a notetaking method that works best for you and adapt it to best fit your personal learning style. Happy studying!

Review more notetaking tips by watching our study skills webinar!