Capture ideas, not every word

Trying to write down everything keeps you copying instead of thinking. Listen for the main point, then summarise it in your own words. Rephrasing forces you to actually process the idea, which is what makes it stick.

Use a structure like the Cornell method

Split your page into three zones: a wide right column for notes during the session, a narrow left column for keywords and questions added afterward, and a strip at the bottom for a short summary. The structure turns a wall of text into something you can revise from.

+----------+--------------------------------+
| Cues     | Notes                          |
| keywords | main ideas, in your own words  |
| & Qs     | facts, examples, diagrams      |
+----------+--------------------------------+
| Summary: two or three lines in your words |
+-------------------------------------------+

Make notes easy to scan later

  • Use headings, bullets, and indentation to show how ideas relate.
  • Develop a few shorthand symbols, like an arrow for “leads to” or a star for “important.”
  • Mark anything you did not understand so you can follow up.

Review within 24 hours

Memory fades fastest in the first day. Spend five minutes re-reading and filling gaps soon after, and the notes — and the material — will hold far better than if you wait a week.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Transcribing verbatim. You stop thinking and just type.
  • Never reviewing. Notes you never reopen are wasted effort.
  • One giant undated blob. Add dates and headings so you can find things.

Frequently asked questions

Should I take notes by hand or on a laptop?

Handwriting tends to improve recall because it forces you to summarise, while typing is faster and searchable. Pick what helps you think, and resist the urge to type every word on a laptop.

How do I take notes faster?

Build a small set of abbreviations and symbols, skip filler words, and write in fragments rather than full sentences. Speed comes from capturing less, not writing quicker.

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