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How to take effective notes?

crop woman writing down notes in diary

Taking notes is essential for retaining and recalling information and studying efficiently. 

Here are some tips on how to take notes:

  1. Be prepared: Bring all the necessary materials, such as pens, pencils, highlighters, paper, or a laptop to take notes.
  2. Listen actively: Focus on the speaker and listen to what is said. Pay attention to important keywords, concepts, and ideas.
  3. Use abbreviations and symbols: Use shorthand and abbreviations to write notes quickly. For example, use “&” instead of “and” or “w/” instead of “with.”
  4. Organize your notes: Use headings, bullet points, or numbers to organize your notes. It helps you to identify critical issues and main ideas.
  5. Use colour coding: Highlight important information using different colours to make them stand out. Use a consistent system of colours to avoid confusion.
  6. Summarize and paraphrase: Rather than writing everything down verbatim, summarize or paraphrase the information in your own words. It helps you to understand the material better and retain it.
  7. Leave space for additional notes: Leave some space in your notes for additional information to add later.
  8. Review your notes: Review your notes after class or a study session and fill in any missing information or clarification. It helps you to understand the material better and remember it for exams.

Remember that effective note-taking is a skill that takes practice.

Experiment with different note-taking techniques and find what works best for you.