There are hundreds of note taking tips out there. Reality - if you nail down the six note taking tips in the following video, you'll do great. Watch the video, then feel free to copy and paste or print out the outline of the video below.
Tip: Note taking tip number six in the overview is one of the best pieces of advice you will get throughout your entire note taking life :)
Video Overview
Tip #1: Take selective notes I could write - The Black Death was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history, peaking in Europe between 1348 and 1350. Or I could write: Black death - one deadliest pandemics history, Europe 1348 - 1350.
I used 19 words in the first sentence and only 9 in the second! Plus, I still got the message across just as well. Think of all the time you could save without writing all of the unnecessary words.
Tip #2: Laptop VS notebook Whatever suits you. There's not much to it really. Studies have shown that there is a connection between your brain making associations as you write with your hand, but then again, note taking on a laptop is so much faster.
Tip #4: Review your notes after class Reviewing your notes after class is very important but one of least practiced of all note taking tips. After you are exposed to the material, as you progress through the rest of the day, your brain subconsciously tries to file away everything and put the pieces together. By reviewing your notes after class or when you get home, you give your brain a massive advantage.
Tips #5: Comprehend first, write second In other words - listen, then write. This is pretty obvious but it is really no use writing down, word for word everything that the professor is saying. You need to listen and understand, then jot down the main idea in a selective style.
Tip #5: The best tip of all! Read the Note taking techniques and strategies page. This will help you transform your notes into top-notch study material that gets you those marks.