Whether you are still in school or have a job, note-taking is a skill you probably need every day. As simple as it may seem, there are actually several techniques you need to use to be able to master it.
If you have ever gone back to your custom notebook after a class or a meeting and wanted to cry because none of it made sense, this article is for you. Below, you will find the best methods for note-taking that will make this task more fun, productive, and satisfying. Read on!
Why Note-Taking Is Important
Taking good and detailed notes is essential for your complete understanding of a certain topic. It also helps you engage with the material on a deeper level, activates your critical thinking skills, and makes your overall experience (be it at work or in a classroom) better.
If you take good notes, you will make connections between ideas more easily. That will, in turn, result in you remembering things better and not needing to spend too much time studying the notes later on.
For all of the above to be possible, your notes need to be neat, sensible, and full of important information. You will find the best techniques for achieving that in the sections that follow.
1. The Sentence Method
This method works best when you need to take notes quickly, and you need them to be simple and to the point. Whenever you hear something important, you will write it down in the form of a complete sentence. Next time someone says an essential piece of info, write it down under the first sentence, as a new bullet point. Continue all throughout the class or meeting.
If you employ this method, you’ll only retain the vital data and won’t waste time writing every single thing you hear. What’s more, you’ll have a neat and precise list of what you need to know once you return to the notes later on.
2. The Charting Method
If you have a lot of facts to consider and you need to understand the connections between them, the charting method can help you. Charts are especially useful in situations where you need to cover many categories at the same time.
Divide your paper into as many columns as you need. Write any important data in the corresponding column. You’ll be left with a neatly organized chart where everything will be in its designated spot. You’ll be able to compare and contrast your info without any confusion or wasting time on trying to figure out which note belongs to which category.
3. The Mapping Method
Not everyone responds best to big blocks of text and charts. If you are more of a visual learner, you can try taking notes using the mapping method. Apart from helping you retain info easier, this technique can also help you recognize the relationships between facts and how they correlate to one another.
You start this note-taking process by drawing a circle in the middle of your paper. Inside that circle, you write down the main topic you’re listening about. Then, this circle should branch out into a bunch of smaller ones. In these, you can list out the subtopics and anything else that might be useful. You can even branch the subtopics out as well. Doing so will make your notes more detailed.
The important thing about this method is that you do what is best for you. You can draw circles, other shapes, create a list with connecting parts, or make a spider diagram. As long as you choose something that will make things easy and fun for you, you’ll be good.
4. The Cornell Method
Have you ever wished you could fit all your notes on one page and have them be concise and exactly what you need for later? If so, this method is for you.
Divide the page of your affordable printed A5 notebook into three sections. Start with a margin of about 7cm on the left of the page and a 5 cm summary section right at the bottom of the page. Sectioning these two parts off leaves you with the biggest part of the paper for the actual notes you’ll take in the class or meeting.
After you are done, you should pull the most important ideas or cues from the bulk of the notes. Once you have them, write them down in the section on the left. This part should remind you of what the notes are about because it contains the main keywords and phrases.
Finally, you should summarize the notes at the bottom of the page. This summary should contain the basic info only. However, it should be somewhat more detailed than the keyword section on the left. And just like that, you will have a comprehensive collection of notes all in one place!
5. The Outline Method
The outline method is great if you need to organise your notes well but have to cram in as much detail as possible. You do this by writing down the main point, subtopics, and bullet points.
Start by writing down the main topic at the top of the page, in the centre. Then, follow it up with all the subtopics underneath, as many as there are. Finish everything off by writing additional info on those subtopics in the form of bullet points.
The bullet points go underneath the subtopics. You can make them as detailed as you like and need. You will get notes that look neat and organised well, and you won’t have any trouble following them.
Related content:
Custom Pen and Paper – Why We Prefer Handwriting over Using Gadgets
To Sum Up
As you have read, mastering note-taking is something that can make your life easier both at work and at school. The methods above can help you learn how to make your notes neat and readable every time.
The key to success is to experiment. Try out all the methods and see which one helps you the most. Also, consider the type of information you are writing down and think about which method would fit it best. Do so, and note-taking will become effortless and entertaining in the blink of an eye!
Related content:
Make a Powerful Statement with Branded Eco Pens
Explore our range of branded paper items including A6 notebooks, A4 notepads, A5 notepads, and eco notebooks. In doing so, you can provide your staff with a productivity tool they can use everyday, be it at work or at home. Contact us now at 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today if you have any questions regarding our selection. Our team will be happy to help you choose and order the perfect notebooks for your faithful employees! You may also wish to consider complementing your order of notebooks with some branded metal pens or even some branded highlighters which are sure to be well received by customers and employees alike!
