1. …pretty much every career that exists.
Note-Taking
An important skill for
students,
business professionals, farmers, auto mechanics, home inspectors, lawyers, nurses and doctors, writers, teachers, politicians, bricklayers, research scientists, professional athletes, secretarial staff, military officers, entrepreneurs, firefighters and police officers, news reporters, financial advisors, tech designers, ministers, marketing, construction, prison guards, archaeologists, event planners and caterers…
…pretty much every career that exists.

2. How?
How you take notes depends on BOTH the setting and the content being covered.
classroom lecture, online video, reading a textbook, group/team meeting, interview, etc.
science, math, history, business
Your goal is to recognize and develop note-taking skills for ALL situations you encounter.

3. Lecture Notes
Learning to take quality notes during a classroom lecture is a valuable skill.
This directly relates to note-taking in business meetings, training courses, conferences, interviews, discussions with patients or customers, field research, etc.
Two great reasons to take notes:
It keeps you more focused on the lecture/meeting.
You don’t have to rely only on your memory later.

4. First Question: Type or Write?
Write on paper
maximum flexibility (write words, draw pictures and arrows, work anywhere on the page)
helps maintain focus/concentration
research has shown that hand writing notes increases content recall and comprehension vs. electronic note taking
Type on laptop or tablet
can capture lots of info very quickly
notes are stored electronically
less thinking required, so less learning/ processing occurs
Write on tablet
flexibility of writing
can type when speed is needed
notes are stored electronically
process can be complex and cumbersome

5. What do I record? SUMMARY of things on board Key words or phrases
Equations
Examples
Make a note (something quick: a star, highlight, etc.) of
items marked by signaling phrases like “this is important” or “this will be on the test”
things repeated
items emphasized by voice or body language
Make a note (in a different way from above) of items you don’t understand and need to study/investigate

6. Note Taking Styles
Any method that allows you to record important info in a way that you can understand later is an effective style of note taking.
Different situations may need different note taking methods. Try out different methods and be willing to switch between them as needed.
Four popular, effective note taking styles:
Cornell Notes
Outline Notes
Concept Mapping
Sketch Notes

7. Cornell Notes Divide your paper into three sections:
a thin column on the left
a wide column on the right
a small section at the bottom
Notes during lecture are recorded in wide column
Thin left column is for key words and questions. Can be used during lecture and AFTER lecture
After lecture, a brief summary should be written in the bottom section

8. Outline Notes Write main topics on the far left of the page
Add subtopics as indented bullet points
Further indent to add facts, details, equations, etc. associated with the subtopic

9. Concept Mapping
Similar to outline notes in that main ideas, subtopics, and details are identified
Instead of writing linearly down the page,
main ideas are the center of a web
subtopics radiate out from the main idea
facts, details, equations, diagrams are arranged around the subtopics
Look for and note connections between ideas

10. Sketch Notes Note taking emphasized with shapes and doodles
Make your notes eye-catching by:
Varying your writing style
Use different bullet shapes and/or frames to indicate connected topics
Use arrows to show connections and relationships
Add simple doodles that connect to and illustrate concepts. Develop your own symbol library over time.

11. Mix styles together
Find the note-taking method that works best for the setting!
Divide page Cornell Notes style. In notes section, record in outline style.
In outline notes, draw connections lines as in concept mapping.
Add sketches to any other note taking style.

12. After the Lecture: Reread and Annotate!!!
Most people don’t complete this step, but it’s really, REALLY helpful.
As soon as possible after the lecture
reread and add additional info to your notes:
anything else you remember from the lecture details from lecture slides if posted online
add emphasis and organization (highlight key terms and equations, label sections with headings, mark subtopics/details with bullet points, etc.).
jot down questions you still have.

13. Do’s and Don'ts DON’T avoid taking notes
If you prefer not to take notes during lecture, record notes later that day from what you remember and/or from slideshows posted online.
DO write neatly and in a legible color
DON’T write down every word
Summarize what the lecturer says in your own words.
DO learn to use abbreviations and symbols
DO highlight key words, phrases, and equations
DO organize your notes
At the top of each page, record the date and/or topic.

14. Video Lectures
The obvious difference (compared to a live lecture) is that a video can be paused to give you time to think, write, or take a break.
Watch a video twice:
Once, just watch and listen. Take no notes.
People often miss important visual details because they are focused down on their notes.
Constant pausing disrupts the flow of the content, affecting understanding and retention.
Watch again, this time recording notes.

15. The importance of note taking in careers: Note taking tips: More info on various note taking styles: students-451f412e264e