Taking notes is beneficial. Whether you are taking a class, listening to a webinar, watching someone on YouTube, or reading a book, taking notes can help you to get clear on the information, comprehend it, and recall it later on. Taking notes keeps you engaged in the information being presented too, which improves comprehension greatly. If you want to use your notebook and take amazing notes, these tips will help you.
1. Take Literal Notes As Well As Personal Notes
Divide your page into two, and on the left side take literal notes while on the right side take personal notes.
For instance, on the left side, you can include essential points word-for-word given by the speaker or in the book. On the right side, you may want to include questions, personal thoughts, how you understand what’s being said, or experiences relating to what the speaker or book is talking about.
By taking both literal and personal notes, you will be able to take in the information better and connect with it on a personal level.
2. Remember That Notetaking Is More Than Just Writing
When you are taking notes, you do not just have to limit yourself to writing. You can also use symbols, abbreviations, and even doodles.
For instance, if you come across a particularly important point, you could highlight it by drawing a star next to it or draw it out in a way that highlights its message.
If you want to remember something but are not sure where it would fit in your notes, you could write the keyword for it at the top of the page with an arrow pointing down to where you think it should go.
There are many different ways to shorthand your notes with more than just writing, and there’s no wrong way. Use what works for you as these are your notes.
3. Make Your Notes Visual
Another way to take better notes is to make them visual. This means using colors, diagrams, and other visuals to help you remember the information better.
For instance, if you are trying to remember a process, you could draw a diagram of it. If you want to remember the order of events, you could use a timeline.
By making your notes visual, you will be able to take in the information better and recall it more easily.
4. Review Your Notes Regularly
One of the best ways to take better notes is to review them regularly. This means looking over your notes soon after you take them and then again later on.
By reviewing your notes, you will be able to identify any areas that you need to work on and make sure that you understand the information.
You can also use this time to add any new information that you may have forgotten.
You may even want to get two notebooks, one for your initial notes, and one for revised notes. As you review your initial notes, you can clean them up and include the most essential points in your revised notes. This is going to boost your comprehension of the material in a big way!
5. Keep Your Notes Organized
It is important to keep your notes organized. This means having a system for taking and storing your notes.
For instance, you may want to have a separate notebook for each class or topic that you are taking notes on.
Or you may want to color-code the topics being discussed.
Whatever system you choose, make sure that it works for you and that you will be able to find your notes when you need them.
6. Use A Flow Chart Method For Taking Notes
When trying to take better notes, some people find it helpful to use a flow chart method.
This means starting with the main idea in the middle of the page and then drawing lines out from it to supporting ideas. This helps you focus on what’s being presented and pick only the best information, as there is not a lot of room to write on a flowchart.
You can then add more details to each of these ideas. This method can be helpful if you are having trouble organizing your thoughts or if you tend to write down too much information where everything becomes overwhelming.
7. Use Keywords To Take Notes
Another way to take better notes is to use keywords. This means picking out the most important words from what you are hearing or reading and writing them down.
You can then use these keywords to help you recall the information later on.
8. Practice, Practice, Practice!
The best way to take better notes is to practice. The more you take notes, the better you will become at it.
So take notes all the time!
You can even take notes while watching TV to help you practice or while watching your favorite YouTube star.
By taking notes all the time, you’re going to quickly learn what type of notes work best for you and your comprehension or for other goals you may have.
9. Get A Note-Taking Buddy
One last way to take better notes is to get a note-taking buddy. This is someone who you can take notes with and then compare your notes afterward.
This is a great way to check if you missed anything and to get another person’s perspective on the material.
It will also help you improve your own note-taking abilities as you learn how they take notes and what tips and tricks they use.
By following these tips, you will be well on your way to taking the best notes of your life!
