Take Note of these Note Taking Strategies

How you take notes can make a big difference in college success. It is also highly important to be adaptable with your note-taking style. The way you take notes in history likely will not be as effective for math. Read on to find out some note-taking styles, and see the examples below:

Mind Mapping Notes

Good For: Instructors that lecture all over the place, interconnected ideas, initial encounters with a subject.

How To: Determine the main idea of the reading or lecture and put that at the center of your mind map. Branch out into different areas with secondary ideas, and continue expanding outwards with connecting ideas.

Cornell Notes

Good For: Math (formulas on one side, problems on the other), reading notes, some lectures.

How To: Draw or fold your lined about a quarter of the way over. Write down main ideas, vocab, reference numbers, or formulas on the left side of the divider. Expand the ideas on the right side. Some people also put a summary on the bottom.

Outline Notes

Good For: Most subjects aside from math.

How To: Using roman numerals or numbers put the main idea, and then in an outline format continue to expand out until you reach the next main idea.

Boxing Notes

Good For: Semi-chaotic lectures, those that do not like outlines.

How To: Each "box" or shape will have a main idea and accompanying information.

Additional Note-Taking Tips

• Plan to rewrite or type your notes.

• Use shorthand and abbreviations.

• Isolate the important information- You will not be able to write everything down.

• Ask classmates, or visit your instructor during office hours to fill in any missing information.