How to Take Good College Notes

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posted on 14 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Taking good notes is key to succeeding in college. College note taking is very different from taking notes in high school because, unlike relying mostly on textbook teaching, college professors tend to "freestyle" a lot of their information, especially during lectures. So what do you write, and what do you disregard? How can you improve your grade by taking good notes?

Steps

Learn how your college professor teaches.

For example, if your college professor tends to use PowerPoint presentations but doesn't follow them word for word, it might be easier to use an Outline Note system instead of maybe copying the PowerPoint verbatim, or using Cornell Notes.

Consider using a specialized note-taking program.

These can be invaluable organizational tools for educational success. They improve note-taking efficiency and come with features that any other word processor won't have.

Use the Outline Note taking system if your professor follows a PowerPoint very closely.

The Outline Note taking system is very simple, but certain tiny details aren't as easy to find. To do this style of note taking, you basically copy down whatever is on the PowerPoint verbatim in a system that looks like an outline (one point then sub-points below it, then further sub-points, etc) and adds in anything else that the professor happens to say.

Use the Cornell Note taking system to just focus on main points.

This system isn't good for those who like to copy down every little thing. This is more if you like to get the main things out of a lecture, or if your professor tends to go on and on. To do this style of note taking, take your notebook paper and draw a line horizontally at the top of your paper, and then draw a line vertically along the margin of the paper or a little wider if you write big. Start by tilting your notes with the title of the lecture. Then write main points on the left side of the vertical line and elaborate more on the right side. Studies done by Cornell University have shown that this is the most effective strategy for taking notes.

Use different styles of notes for different classes.

Such as using the outline system for a history class, and the Cornell style for a psychology class. You could record your notes with a voice recorder to play back later.