Best Note-Making Techniques for Students

Consider the last time you were in class and tried to recall all of the teacher's instructions. It's nearly impossible. We can only process so much information in our brains at a time. That is why it's so important to take good notes. 

Students' good study notes are not simply a reproduction of what is written on the board. It's a tool that will help you to understand, remember and revise quicker. Students who learn to make effective notes perform better in examinations, not because they study for a longer period of time, but because they study more efficiently. This blog will help you learn about the 5 best note-making techniques and how to use them correctly.

Why Most Students Make Poor Notes

The majority of students write what they hear or see without considering what is important. Their books are a wall of words and no structure. On return to revision, they are unable to see the key points quickly. What this means is that they end up rewriting whole chapters rather than editing acutely.

The real problem is not laziness — it is method. Students aren't taught how to take notes. Once you are familiar with the correct techniques, note-making is one of your most effective smart study tips, and revision becomes ten times quicker.

Technique 1: The Cornell Method

One of the most widely adopted effective note making methods among students in the best universities of the world is the Cornell method. It can be used for nearly any subject and is very simple to install. 

Divide your notebook page into three sections. On the right side, make a broad column and jot down your main notes in class: key points, definitions, and examples. On the left side, sketch a thin column and make notes or write questions/keywords that correspond to your notes. Write a brief (2-3 line) summary of the content of that page in your own words at the bottom of the page

Why it works: You have to consider what matters in the left column. The summary at the bottom will allow you to edit the entire page in 30 seconds. This is one of the best revision note strategies.

Technique 2: The Mind Map Method

A mind map is a note in the form of a picture, with ideas around a central topic linked together. In the centre of the page, you write the main topic, and then draw branches for each of the sub-topics. You may draw smaller branches from each branch to provide details and examples. 

In subjects such as Biology, History, Geography, etc., where a large number of related ideas are involved, mind maps are very useful. They assist your brain to visualize the connections between all of the elements. A mind map is a great way to remember much of what you have learned before an exam, as your brain retains more from the pictures than from the text.

Best for: Concepts, diagrams, processes, many concepts (e.g., Science, Social Studies, Economics).

Technique 3: The Outline Method

Outline method is the easiest of the effective note-taking techniques. The main topic is written as a heading, sub-topics are written below it with a small indent, and details are written below the sub-topics with a further indent. It appears to be a tree-like structure with branches pointing downward. 

This approach is quite effective if a teacher is teaching a lesson in a systematic manner, such as a chapter in a History or Civics book. It helps you to keep your notes tidy and easily reviewable when revising. The outline method is the easiest to start with if you are a beginner with note-making, since there is no special preparation required, and it's very natural.

Technique 4: The Box and Highlight Method

It's an easy trick that a lot of students are already doing without knowing what it's called! Once you have written your notes, circle key definitions, dates, formulas, or facts. Next, highlight the one most important word or phrase in each box with a highlighter. 

The outcome is a page of notes that are the most important things that stand out right away. This technique is not meant to be used in place of other techniques, but rather it is best used over the outline or Cornell method. Your study notes for students will be much easier to revise from as your eye is drawn to what is important.

Smart tip: Only highlight one or two colours. Too many colours mean the page is untidy and does not serve its purpose.

Technique 5: The Sentence Method

As its name implies, the sentence method is a method. Each new piece of info is written on a new line as a full, short sentence. One idea per sentence. 

This is the best way to do it when you are in a hurry during a lecture, or when a teacher is very fast at explaining something, so you can't pause to take notes. It's not the cleanest way to do it, but it ensures you get it all. Once class is over, revisit your sentence notes and rewrite them in a different form, such as an outline or Cornell note format for revision notes.

Which Technique Works Best for Which Subject

Not all techniques are equally effective for all subjects. This is a handy guide to choose the appropriate note-taking method based on the subject matter.

How to Use Your Notes for Revision

Good note-taking is only half the task. The other half is revising from them correctly. Smart revision notes strategy involves not re-reading your notes from start to finish each time. Rather, you build your notes on top of each other. 

Read full notes in the first revision: after about 3 days since making. In the second revision, you should read only the summaries and keywords (not the notes). In the third revision, simply look at your mind maps and boxes. At the time of your examination, you should have remembered most of the content by looking at your headings and keywords.

This multi-layered method will save you hours of study time and ensure that information stays fresh in your memory until test day.

Conclusion

Note-taking is a skill, not a habit. After you get the hang of it, it will make everything easier – learning in class, completing homework quicker, and editing before exams. The five techniques in this blog are for all students and all subjects. 

Use one approach that is comfortable for you — the outline method is a good beginning. For subjects that require more understanding, then use the Cornell method. When you need to see the whole picture, use mind maps! Use the box and highlight technique to expedite revision. 

These are the best note-making skills, together with a brilliant revision notes plan, that form the basis of every topper's study plan. Try them and notice the difference in your next exam!

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