Taking notes helps you understand and remember what you learn. When you write notes, you process information in a new way, which improves learning.
When reading, take notes to highlight key points. You can underline or highlight important words and write short comments in the margins.
Keep it simple, because too many highlights make it hard to review later. A good approach is to write brief margin notes every 2–4 pages to stay focused and avoid over-noting.
You can also create your own questions for the text, such as What is X? or How does X relate to Y? This helps you focus on what is most important and makes your notes more meaningful.
Taking notes during a lecture helps you stay focused and process new knowledge.
Write only the main points, not everything the lecturer says, so you stay attentive. Remember, the notes are for you, not for others.They do not need to be perfect, just useful.
Use abbreviations, keywords, or small drawings to capture ideas quickly.
After the lecture, use your notes to check your understanding of the material. If your notes differ from what was discussed, it might help to reread the text. In this way, your notes become an active study tool.
Try different note-taking methods to see what works best for you, such as typing on a computer or writing by hand.
When preparing for an exam, notes can help you get an overview of key theories and literature and keep focus on the most important parts of the syllabus. They also help you structure your knowledge.
Good notes are valuable but remember that exams also test your ability to communicate your knowledge. Use your notes not only to remember information but also to practice explaining it.
Try reading them aloud or rewriting them to strengthen your understanding and argumentation.
Taking notes during group work is a good way to document your process. This allows you to look back and see what your group has previously discussed or decided.
Note-taking can also help everyone stay on the same page and prevent misunderstandings or conflicts. You can take turns being the note-taker to share the responsibility.
We recommend using a shared document to take notes and keep track of decisions and progress.
Working actively with your notes can make them much more useful and help you remember more.
The more you engage with your notes, the easier your exam preparation will become.