Note-Taking: The 12 Best Methods
In a world of information overload, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Therefore we need a system to keep everything we learn in one place. Not only do note-taking systems help our thought-process, but they give us an easy way to retain the information we need to remember.
Here are many different methods applicable to a variety of settings.
The Cornell Method
This method is widely used around the world and is practiced by many professors and students. It doesn’t only make note-taking quicker and easier, it makes it easier to review & organize your notes when you’re done.
As you can see, all notes you gather takes place in the main column (Notes.) The column on the left is for keywords, main ideas, diagrams, and descriptions about the main notes. Lastly, a summary in which you review and explain the notes you’ve taken.
Pros
- Retaining Information
- Organized: summarizing the ideas clearly
- Cuts down reviewing time
Cons:
- It takes preparation
The Outline Method
This is another famous method which is known for its simplicity and structure. It allows you to structure your notes in a proper way.
The first bullet is your main topic, the second is its sub-topic and the third is a thought.
This method is great for overall use. If the subject is about public speaking, the main topic could be body language, and a sup-topic may then be movement, which leads to your own thoughts about the note in the third bullet.
Pros
- Highlights key points in a logical way
- Doesn’t take much focus from the lesson
- It has a clean structure
Cons:
- Not applicable in every subject
The Mapping Method
For those who prefer a more free written styleof note-taking, this method will serve you a great advantage.
This method helps you organize the notes by dividing them into different branches, creating links between topics & its details. Start by writing the main topic, and connect it with its subtopics and the detailed information about each.
It’s not only for those who prefer to take notes freely, but it’s also one of the methods you can tweak into your own personal way.
Pros
- Visualized
- Easy to edit notes
Cons
- Running out of space
- Confusion if the information is misplaced.
The Boxing Method
The boxing method offers you a well-designed page with content organized into small and big boxes.
This one is best used in a session that is split into different sections. As you can see, all notes that are related are grouped into one box. One box for each section of the subject. The other boxes are similar, and somewhat relevant, and can easily be tied together with another box.
Pros
- Organized into boxes, filtering main ideas
- Another visualized technique
- Easy for iPad or other tablet users
Cons
- Requires extra time
- Not suitable for every subject
The Charting Method
A method good for a subject that needs some sort of comparison with each other. Despite its complexity, it has its positives.
Charting notes together make for a table that combines similarities, differences, or other characteristics. Each column represents a unique category which makes it easy to compare the notes.
It’s a great method for those who need to understand statistics or other hard information. It’s suggested to use this method when you need to memorize a lot of information.
Pros
- Great structure
- Easy to review
- Comparable
- A lot of information to be memorized easy
Cons
- It’s very time-consuming
- Not applicable to many subjects
- Needs to be easily categorized
Box And Bullet Method
A very simple & straight-forward method is the box & bullet method. It allows students to understand the main idea whilst writing down supportive details right under each idea.
This is a great way to also transform a complex idea into your own words. By using this method, it allows you to have the most important details in front of you. From there, it’s all yours.
Pros
- Organized
- Not time-consuming
- Extract main ideas and add the important details
Cons
- Not much room for more detailed notes
QEC Method
Question. Evidence. Conclusion. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that. This is a good one to use if you’re looking for big ideas that you want to have a great understanding about.
“Reduce the information presented to you into questions paired with conclusions. Between the two, list the evidence that justifies the connection. In other words, the questions and the conclusions become a wrapper around the raw facts — transforming them into self-contained ideas.” Cal Newport
Pros
- Good for idea creation
- Not time-consuming
- Solid understanding of the topic
Cons
- Not applicable to some subjects
The WOS Method
This is a restricted method that may not be of good use unless you have a presentation handed to your beforehand.
In some scenarios, if you’re at an independent lecture, their presentations may be handed out before you arrive.
This is another free type of note-taking because it allows yourself to jot down your thoughts on the entire page. When these are handed out to you, the lines are usually there, so it may not be necessary for you to do so.
Pros
- Free note-taking
- No preparation (by your side)
Cons
- Rarely applicable
- May have little space
Visual Note-Taking
The thing with visuals notes is that it’s easier for your brain to remember. Our brain remembers things in pictures, which makes this method powerful.
It’s yet another free-style of note-taking, and it can be combined with other techniques mentioned in this article. (Also, think: Method of Loci.)
Here is an opportunity for you to think completely free. It’s like a mind map, this one too, but more personally structured and with colors and doodles that make it easier for your brain to catch the information and lure it into your memory.
Pros
- Visually appealing
- For the free-spirited
Cons
- Running out of space
Mind Mapping
A very well known method used in a variety of cases. It’s another method that enhanced our brain's ability to remember its information considering the possibility to add colors, images & different arrows.
It’s a method that could be used in many ways. If you’re at a lecture, and you’re aware of the different main topics or sections, you’ll have an idea of how much space you should be given to each bubble.
Pros
- A personalized method without limitations
- Little to no preparation
Cons
- Running out of space
Flow-Based Notetaking
This method is the opposite of how a typical note page may look like in school. Whereas the student was told to write down every detail and note exactly as they were spoken. Basically transcribing the teacher.
It’s a very proactive note-taking method that is meant for you to remember the important details and create your own thoughts as the session finishes up.
- Emphasize the important details, downplay the irrelevant.
- Write down notes according to your mental picture, going back to add details and departing into new sections as you learn.
- Transcribe the information in a completely original way
- Create a new set of ideas and understandings, based on the lecture.
More here.
Pros
- Remember the good, forget the bad
- Creating your own thoughts based on what you learned
Cons
- Not being focused on the lecture can result in a poor outcome
The QA Split-Page Method
It’s what it sounds. One column with the question, the other with an answer. It’s a very simple method that can be used in a variety of ways. If you’re at an introductory class and want to have a cheat-sheet for the rest of the year, this method’s for you.
Let’s say you’re in Physics class. Velocity, critical mass, relativity, and all these scary words appear. Take a sheet of paper and write on the left column: ‘’what is velocity?’’, ‘’what is critical mass?’’ and so on, by the end, you’ll have a Q&A page of what’s needed for you to proceed.
Pros
- Simplistic
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Possibility of transcribing what you hear, instead of thinking of your own
These methods are all great, depending on the situation given. Here you’ve been given a list of the most well-known & appreciated methods along with its pros and cons. But remember, taking notes isn’t learning. There’s always a step further…
