11 Note-Taking Tips to Try Today!

Rashida Beal
Jan 8, 2023

Note-taking is a powerful learning and studying tool. Rather than simply experiencing information, note-taking helps you engage with key points and facts.

Engagement facilitates better memory than simply sitting through a barrage of words that do not carry much meaning at first. Whether you're studying at night or studying in the morning, notes play a critical role.

These 11 note-taking tips to try today can ignite your education regardless of the subject.

1. Keep It Simple

Many people are tempted to write down everything an instructor says. After all, how else would you know what's important and what isn't?

However, you should not attempt to write down each word that is said during class. Doing so can distract you from the main takeaways of the lesson. You might miss important points that relate to things beyond statistics.

Instead, focus on the most important words and terms. Consider using short-hand (like you might in a text or social media post) to reduce the total words you are writing. Also, pay attention to key concepts. Writing down key facts that are repeated throughout a class is a hallmark of taking effective notes.

2. Write Your Own Way

You should also take notes so they make sense to you. You might have to paraphrase the content to your liking. You should also write in short phrases. You can always return to your notes and flesh them out later.

Writing notes your way also means structuring them how you see fit. Leverage formatting tools like headings, lists, bullet points, and more. Use whatever method is most effective for you.

Additionally, you can either handwrite or type your notes as you take them. If your instructor allows their students to type them, then this can eliminate sloppy handwriting and future confusion. Ultimately, you have to determine what works best for you so you can take good notes.

3. Pay Attention

Whether you attend a lecture or read a book, you must pay attention to the content. Being an effective note-taker means being a good listener or reader. When reading or watching eLearning content, be sure to work in peace and quiet. If you struggle, then you can seek alternate ways to obtain the knowledge you need.

For example, taping lectures or seeking out educational videos can help you better understand the concepts. Plus, you can transcribe educational videos with special software to create notes you can refer to when necessary. It's one of the most effective revision techniques you can use to study day or night.

4. Ask Questions

If you missed something an instructor said, then you can ask them to repeat the information. If you are embarrassed, then you can ask the teacher after class for clarification. The bonus is that your peers might also need to hear the same information for their own note-taking.

Pay special attention to any questions the professor or teacher asks the class. Focus questions help point out important information. Note down any focus questions and you'll save a lot of time on the day to study.

5. Go Over Your Notes with Your Peers

Collaborating with your classmates can clear confusion and drive a better understanding of a topic. This can happen in study sessions or a quick exchange of notes. This can prove useful after completing individual reading assignments. You might note certain items from the source material that differ from your peers. Reviewing notes can reinforce what you already know and introduce you to what you did not.

6. Organize Your Notes

Remember to organize your notes. Whether you take notes in class or use a transcription solution to transfer audio to text, you should keep each subject's notes in one easy-to-locate place. You could designate a notebook or electronic document for each subject. Organizing your notes can help you find important information when you need it.

7. Rewrite Your Notes When Needed

If you were in a hurry writing notes in class, then your handwriting can undo all of your diligent work. What if you can't read them? How will you decipher your concept maps? Rewriting your notes later that day can increase clarity and help you remember that information.

8. Highlight Your Notes

You can highlight your notes to point out significant content, making it easier to grasp the most important information come exam day. You shouldn't highlight your notes as you take them since you might miss other vital information.

9. Acquire Notes Anyway You Can

This doesn't mean stealing your peers' notes. If you are allowed to record your instructor's voice, then do so. Recording videos might present some problems. However, some instructors might have their own videos online. You can access that content and use automatic video transcription software that can practically take notes of the video for you. The more notes you have when it's time to study, the better your chances of acing that test. Digital notes from transcription solutions can change how you obtain knowledge.

10. Don't Worry About Spelling and Grammar

One important thing to remember about note-taking is that you have to record information quickly to keep up with the flow of content. If you stumble on the spelling of a word, then you might lose the opportunity to jot down the next critical fact you need. You can fix your spelling and grammar mistakes while revising your notes.

11. Use Maestra

Effective note-taking can help you remember what you've learned long after the lesson. With more instructors embracing technology, students around the world are faced with more educational opportunities than ever before.

Videos are not only for entertainment, they offer many educational benefits as well. Instructors can publish a video for their students and anyone else who is interested in their information. If you love to learn via videos, then you can leverage every one of these opportunities.

Is there a faster way than re-watching all of the videos? How can you refresh your memory?

Use Maestra to create automatic transcripts, subtitles, and voiceovers in minutes. Our highly-accurate speech-to-text software can transcribe audio and video files to text, giving you more control over how you consume educational content. Our solution to your note-taking woes can translate files into English, French, and over 80 other languages. We give students across the globe easy access to the facts, figures, and concepts that can improve their lives.

Request a demo today to activate your education!