fbpx

Effective notes taking techniques in class

Western Community College > Blog > Guidance > Effective notes taking techniques in class

Taking notes from what you read or study is an important and most-effective way of learning. Being in college is quite different from your high school, which requires upgrading your notes taking process.

Tips to improve the note-taking system for every student

Taking notes might not be rocket science, but it is more complex. There are many ways in which you can improve your note-taking skills. Irrespective of what you might believe, there are several different note-taking techniques. In this section, we will share with you additional techniques that students often use to take notes.

Some of these promising note-taking techniques include –

i) Structured technique
ii) The mind map technique
iii) Flow notes technique
iv) The Cornell Method

So, let’s discuss these techniques one by one:

i) Structured technique

This is one of the most frequently used note-taking techniques that students use. Apart from being popular, it is a straightforward method that naturally comes to most students. This is the method in which you have to choose four to five key points to sum up the entire lecture. Once you have scratched out those points, start writing in depth about each of them.

This is a simple approach that is most widely adapted by students globally. This technique makes it very convenient for students to review later on.

ii) The mind map technique

Another very effective note-taking technique is the mind map technique. This is great for subjects like chemistry, history, and even philosophy. Be it a complex topic or a simple one, it can be summed up with a mind-mapping technique. Later when the time comes to revise, these notes can help summarise it all for you. You can see one example below in the image.

iii) Flow notes technique

Flow note-taking is another very popular technique that students use. This technique can maximize their active learning within the classroom. The concept behind this is to take notes like you are teaching yourself. Simply note down topics, draw arrows and make some diagrams to connect them together. While it is a great way to take notes, it is not very effective in reviewing the flow notes.

iv) The Cornell Method

Cornell Method can efficiently divide your notes into sections to get the most out of the review time. In this method, you have to divide the paper into three sections – notes, summary, and cues.

Notes – This is a section you need to use during class to jot down all the important information you listen to. Most students prefer using the outline method.
Cues – The next section of the paper contains cues. This can be filled out with main points, people, and even potential test questions. You can use this method to mention some cues to help you memorize all the ideas.
Summary – The last section of this method helps students summarize the entire paper. You can fill it up with page references, diagrams, and more.

Conclusion

These are some very effective note-taking techniques that students can use to be more effective and efficient in class. We hope this piece of article helps you improve your note-taking skills.

Related Posts

single program cta bg 1
about icon 2 white

Why Study at Western Community College

  • Installment-based, low tuition fee.
  • 100% Practicum Placement
  • Weekday, weekend, and evening classes optionally available
  • Part-time or full-time class schedule
  • Free CLB preparation classes * Conditions Apply
  • Graduate employment rate: 97%

Admissions Contact Information

Mon – Sunday 9:00A.M. – 5:00P.M.

Surrey, BC

Unit 201 8318 120 St
Surrey, BC V3W 3N4

Video Tour in WCC

Take a tour inside WCC and explore our classrooms, labs and student spaces to get a feel for life on campus. At Western Community College, we believe in an affordable, high-quality education that gives you the opportunity to thrive. We have a 97% grad employment rate.

icon play
Central Surrey Campus

Unit 900 13761 96 Ave,
Surrey, BC V3V 0E8

CC3 Campus Tour

Our campus is strategically located at 13761 96 Ave #900, Surrey, BC V3V 0E8. With its proximity to major transit hubs, including prominent bus loops and the King George SkyTrain station, commuting to and from the campus has never been easier.

icon play
Abbotsford, BC

Unit 201, 3670 Townline Rd
Abbotsford, BC V2T 5W8

Video Tour in WCC

Welcome to our beautiful Abbotsford campus. Western Community College has 46 programs designed to meet the current needs of the market and to provide students with an affordable, high-quality education.

icon play
Flying School Abbotsford Campus

Hanger F, 120-1185 Townline Road, Abbotsford BC, V2T 6E1
Tel : 604.776.1301
View Map

Upcoming Events

16Nov

Cultural Fiesta @ WCC

5:30 pm - 11:00 pmNORTH DELTA SECONDARY THEATRE
30Oct

Graduation Ceremony 2024

12:30 pm - 4:00 pmAria Banquet & Convention Centre