Note-taking is a process that helps you pay attention. Note-taking helps you to concentrate on the information presented in class or in the lecture or when reading and to make connections between ideas.
Tips on how to take efficient notes:
- Set wide margins.
- When taking notes, keep a record of all your sources.
- If in class or a lecture, write at the top of the page, the topic, the teacher and the date.
- If taking notes from reading material, write at the top of your notes a full citation of your source, online or hard copy. Include page numbers alongside your notes for easy retrieval of information.
- Identify the main purpose of the information.
- Use bullet points.
- Use key points and summarise the information in your words. This will help maintain academic integrity and prevent unintentional plagiarism.
- Visual techniques can help – headings, highlighting key points, lines or arrows to connect ideas, columns with key words in the left column and key supporting points on the right. Experiment with these techniques to see which one works for you.
- Use abbreviations to save time and to connect key ideas.
