How to Take Great Notes: Strategies and Techniques

Note-taking is a skill every student, working adult, and continuing education student must possess. Whatever the activity—sitting through a university lecture, a company work meeting, or even self-study—mastering the art of note-taking can change the way you absorb, understand, and use information.

This blog breaks down the best note-taking strategies, advice that really works, and methods that deliver so you can level up your learning game. You’ll have a toolkit of methods to tailor to your individual needs and goals.

Why Note-Taking Matters

Note-taking well is much more than just jotting sentences down in class or in meetings. It has a profound impact and provides some seriously valuable benefits, such as:

• Better memory retention – By putting things on paper, information gets stored in your long-term memory.
• Clarity and structure – Good notes have concise summaries of important information.
• Increased productivity – Concentrating on key points saves time in rewriting or decision-making.
• Improved critical thinking – Active engagement with content while note-taking enhances comprehension.

The difference between good and bad note-taking is gigantic. Messy or verbose notes can even make it harder to study or research a subject. The correct approach can be the difference.

Shared Note-Taking Strategies

There exist several tried-and-true methods of note-taking, each with benefits. Below are five widely used methods, explained with their best uses:

1. The Outline Method

The outline method is all structure. Start with main topics, and then place subtopics below in a sensible order. It’s particularly suitable for information given in a linear and systematic manner, such as lectures or chapters in a textbook.

How to use it:

• Put the main topic on the left margin.
• Put subtopics slightly indented below.
• Put key details or examples under subtopics, with additional indentation.

Example:

Topic: The Four Types of Sentences

Declarative

Makes a statement.

Interrogative

Asks a question.

This method keeps your notes brief and simple to look over for study later.

2. The Cornell Method

The Cornell Method works well for systematic learning and note summarization. It separates your note-taking paper into three columns:

• Queue: Write down keywords or questions in the margin during notes.
• Notes: Take complete notes in a larger section during class or discussions.
• Summary: At the conclusion, condense the major points into three sentences.

Why it works: As you go through and rehearse your notes shortly after they are taken, you’re enhancing your ability to recall key information.

3. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is best suited for visual learners. Start with a central idea and branch outward to encompass related ideas, facts, or illustrations. Mind maps are helpful in brainstorming, essay writing, or understanding intricate systems.

Advantages:

• elicits creativity and connection between ideas.
• Best for nonlinear thinking or connecting unrelated ideas.

For example, if you are learning about ecosystems, place “Ecosystem” in the center and spread out to items like “Producers,” “Consumers,” “Decomposers,” and how they connect.

4. The Charting Method

Use the charting method whenever there is lots of similar or grouped information. It is particularly good for subjects like history, research, or data analysis.

How it works:

Create several columns with headings at the top to keep your notes organized. For example, while studying historical events, the columns can be Event, Date, Main Characters, and Result.

This method condenses complex information into a clean reference table, conserving time to study.

5. Sentence Method

If structured methods are too restrictive, the sentence method may be appropriate for you. Here, you record main points or sentences in order as you listen to lectures or discussions.

Who it’s for:

This method is appropriate if the material doesn’t lend itself well to structure, like free-flowing discussion or quick-fire lectures.

But it takes extra time afterwards for note organizing or editing.

Bonus Tip for Digital Note-Taking

Applications like Notion, Evernote, or Microsoft OneNote offer excellent solutions for note organization and syncing between devices. Augment your note-taking with bulleting, color-coding, and search capabilities.

Note-Taking Tips for Success

Effective note-taking is more than a systematic approach. Here are some essential tips to make your notes even more effective, no matter what method you choose.

1. Be Selective

Do not verbatim copy lectures or speeches. Take note of themes, main points, or recurring points.

2. Use Abbreviations and Symbols

Accelerate writing using widely accepted abbreviations like “w/” for “with,” “&” for “and,” or arrows (→) to indicate relationships.

3. Review and Revise

Take 10–15 minutes after lectures or meetings to review your notes. Jot down important points or tidy up sloppy areas in order to get maximum comprehension.

4. Add Colors

Mark important words, headings, or connections using highlighters or colored pencils. Studies show color-coding facilitates recall by as much as 50%!

5. Interweave Writing and Drawing

Diagrams, flowcharts, and infographics serve to set abstract concepts on their feet. Where there’s room, intersperse small doodles or marks.

6. Try Different Ways

Experiment with various approaches to find out what suits each setting. What is suitable for a history class may not be suitable for technical directions.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Note-taking can be daunting at times. Here’s how to overcome common challenges successfully.

Problem 1: Information Overload

Solution: Record higher-level concepts instead of trying to take down every detail. Highlight key information to refer to later.

Problem 2: Disorganized or Illegible Notes

Solution: Re-do key sections in class in a neater format. Handwriting problems are also solved by digital apps!

Problem 3: Staying Focused Throughout Long Sessions

Solution: Use structured breaks in note-taking. Stand up, stretch, and recharge every 25–30 minutes with productivity techniques like the Pomodoro timer.

Turn Notes into a Powerful Learning Tool

Your notes are not reminders; they’re things you can work on, return to, and utilize in the long term. This is how you can integrate notes into your learning routine effectively:

• Schedule regular review sessions to renew information.
• Rewrite your notes as flashcards for self-quizzing.
• Work from them as a starting point for summaries, essays, or reports.

Partner with Effective Tools

Want to supercharge your learning process? The right tools are as crucial as the right techniques. Stylized notebooks, digital tools like Evernote, or apps to organize information—find what works for you.

Recommended Resource

Get Jasper’s AI writing assistant to synthesize, organize, and enrich your learning materials—perfect for students and professionals!