

It can be helpful to add sticky notes or use your color coding technique. Take a few moments to organize your notes by summarizing topics and making note of key concepts to include in your study guides. When we write notes in class, it can get hectic. This is also a great time to fill in any information or terms you may have missed. If there are concepts that are tricky for you to remember, consider using examples or illustrations to make the information stick.

Take a look back at your notes and make sure you understand what they say. Here are a few things you can do within 24 hours of your last class to refresh your memory and notes. While it may be tempting to abandon your notes after you’ve finished a given lecture or chapter, it’s important to check back and review what you have before moving on to the next topic. For instance, your professor may say things like “the following five steps” or “a major reason why.” These types of cues can help clue you in to things you should be taking notes on during class. Keep track of important points by listening for repetition and other verbal cues. If your professor repeats a phrase, key fact or information more than once, it’s probably something you need to know.
NOTE TAKING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS CODE
Using a system to color code your notes like this can help you quickly identify important information when you revisit them for review. For instance, you may highlight important definitions in pink and helpful examples in orange. Using different colored highlighters can help you to differentiate between terms, definitions, examples and other important information. Leave blank spaces as you write, so you can revisit your notes to add any additional information you missed or expand on important points. Instead, try to use bullets and phrases when taking notes during class. It’s also helpful to avoid using complete sentences. For instance, “function” can be written as “fxn” and “change” can be written as “Δ” (delta). One way to shorten your notes is to use abbreviations or symbols. If you struggle to keep up with lectures or presentations, try using shorthand when taking notes. Whether you prefer to take handwritten notes or type them out, these tips can help you take more effective and efficient notes during class.
