How To Take Notes During a Lecture

Do you consider yourself a good notetaker? Do you think you’ve perfected the skill? Or do you find yourself questioning what you wrote down? Truth is, taking notes during a lecture can be pretty stressful, especially if you don’t know how to take notes efficiently and properly.

Check out some our tips and tricks for taking notes during a lecture:

1. Shorthand - Master it. Learning to abbreviate your notes during a lecture is key and can save a ton of time. Remember that your notes will be used later to compile a more comprehensive study guide where you and elaborate and provide more detail.
2. Handouts - Utilize them during a lecture. Your professor may have major key points that are already noted on your handouts, therefore you can save time by not having to write them down.
3. Type your notes - If you can type faster than you write, you should consider typing your notes. If you feel that you retain more information by physically writing them down, remember when you are compiling your study guide, you can write it down then which can be used as a study method.
4. Don’t write down everything the professor says - If you try to write down every single thing your professor mentions during a lecture, fact is, you’ll never be able to keep up. Take notes on key points and anything the professor says “could be on the test.”
5. Use the “question. answer. evidence” method - For example, if the professor asked “what is the central theme of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?”, record the answer provided as well as any evidence to support the answer. This method allows you to form obvious sample questions for your study guide.

Have a tip that isn’t mentioned here? Leave a comment and tell us about it!

If you found these tips helpful, please share with your friends via Facebook, Twitter, Google + and etc.