To Do & Notes

How to Take Good Notes
Taking good notes is about capturing key information in a way that helps you understand and remember it later. Effective note-taking involves more than just writing down everything you hear or read—it’s about actively engaging with the material.

1. Be Prepared

Have your tools ready: notebook, pens, highlighters, or a digital device.
Preview the material if possible (e.g., read headings or summaries).
2. Use a Structure That Works for You

Popular note-taking methods:

Cornell Method: Divide the page into cue, notes, and summary sections.
Outline Method: Use bullet points and indentation to organize main ideas and subpoints.
Mind Mapping: Visual method that shows relationships between ideas.
Boxing Method: Group related notes together in boxes to organize thoughts visually.
3. Focus on Main Ideas

Don’t try to write everything verbatim.
Listen/read for key points, definitions, examples, and transitions.
Use abbreviations and symbols to speed up note-taking.
4. Stay Active and Engaged

Ask questions as you go.
Write notes in your own words to deepen understanding.
Highlight or underline key concepts.
5. Review and Revise

As soon as possible after the class or reading, review your notes.
Fill in gaps, clarify anything unclear, and highlight important parts.
Summarize what you learned in your own words.
6. Use Your Notes to Study

Turn notes into flashcards, quizzes, or outlines.
Teach the material to someone else—it’s a great test of your understanding.