LibGuides: College Success Strategies: Taking Notes

Taking Notes

Taking efficient notes during class time is extremely important. Watch this video on note-taking, and then review the note-taking strategies below. To get the most out of lectures, PREVIEW the material in the textbook beforehand. And when class is over, take the time to quickly REVIEW your notes and fill in any gaps (while the material is still fresh in your mind). Even better, compare your notes after class with a friend!

BYU-Idaho Study Skills Center. (2016, May 24). Note Taking. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZWWPDF8yms&feature=emb_logo

Note-taking
Short chapter on note-taking from Lumen Learning.
Common Note-Taking Methods
Covers 5 different note-taking methods. From University of TN.
Note Taking Structures (PDF)
A thorough guide to different ways to structure your notes, from Dunwoody College.
When Your Instructor Talks Fast (PDF)
Tips for taking notes in a class with a fast-talking professor.

There is a difference between listening and truly understanding what someone is saying. Review these resources below to learn how to actively listen to get the most out of class time.

Active listening & notetaking
Short lecture on how to listen actively and take notes during class.
Active listening in the classroom
Covers the various stages of active listening and tips for listening in the classroom.
Are you really listening?
Discusses how to actively listen in class
Cal Poly: Listening
Covers some tips for what to do while listening during lectures.

Using Abbreviations and Symbols in Notetaking (PDF)
Discusses using symbols and abbreviations in note-taking
Common Abbreviations
List of common abbreviations from the University of TN

If you prefer to type your notes or record lectures, here are some handy tools you can use! However, keep in mind that some research suggests that students remember more when they hand-write their notes.

Evernote
Free cloud-based app and web application that lets you take notes and organize them. You can also set reminders.
OneDrive
Available through the College, you can take cloud-based notes. You can access it from the main page of your email account.
Smart Voice
Android app that allows you to record lectures and gives you the option to share or email it to yourself. In-app purchases will cost money.
Google Drive
Available with a Gmail account, you can use Google docs to make notes and store them in the cloud
Simplenote
Simple text-based notetaking app that you can use on the web, Apple, or Windows devices