Note-Taking Methods in 3 Minutes

Note-Taking Methods – What’s the best way to take notes? There are many different note-taking methods, but some are better than others. Choosing the right method for you may depend on what you’re studying, how you like to learn, and even your instructor’s teaching style. Here’s a look at three of the best note-taking methods for students, how to use each one, and when it’s a good idea to use it. First, the outline method.

The outline method is ideal when you need to quickly jot down information, such as in lectures or meetings. All you need to do is add each main point as a main point and add supporting points underneath. The finished product should be visually clear and easy to read. Outline notes allow you to easily understand the main topics at a glance, along with the relevant information for each point. When should you avoid using this method? If you’re taking notes that require a lot of charts and tables, you may find the outline method too organized and take up a lot of space on the page, making it difficult to use visual elements.

If you’re studying a core subject like math or chemistry, which requires relatively fewer words, this is a great and easy method for note-taking. Second, the boxing method: If you’re the type who enjoys embellishing your notes or taking the time to create new ones to summarize your ideas, the boxing method may be right for you. The boxing method is very visual and doesn’t require writing down notes. This method gives you an overview of your topic. Each section or subtopic of your notes will appear in its own labeled box, with a main point at the top.

Then explain this inside the box. This method is best when reorganizing information to better understand a topic, for example, for review. However, it’s not ideal for immediate note-taking and when you need to gather information quickly. We recommend this method if you’re studying something like history, literature, or philosophy, or when there are high-level concepts that need to be summarized. Third, the Cornell Method of Note-Taking. Our favorite is the Cornell Method of Not-Taking, which is the best method of not-taping for active learning and information retention. First, you’ll need to divide your page into four sections, with all notes listed in the main Not-Taking column.

The left-hand column is for comments, questions, and hints about the actual notes after you’ve finished taking them. Summarize the main ideas of the page in the bottom section. The best part is that many people actually remember and absorb information while writing a summary like this. Cornell Notes are great for most use cases, such as lecture or meeting notes. The only time we don’t recommend them is when you’re more creative and need a free-form blank page. They’re especially useful for discussion- or theory-based subjects, including the social sciences, media studies, and humanities. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for you.

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