Understanding your style of learning 

Before you can truly optimize the note-taking process, it’s useful to have a good understanding of what your exact learning style is. These four unique approaches to gaining knowledge are impacted by how you cognitively function, as well as your relationship with most of the core senses. Everyone falls into one of the following types of learning style:
  • Visual learning. Those who learn and retain information best through sight fall into this category. In most instances, that means things like illustrations, charts, maps, and diagrams are what helps them to get the most out of a learning experience.
  • Auditory learning. Sound or speech are the primary tools of auditory learners. This might mean a spoken lecture (as well as a recording of it), or even something like a wider group discussion. They’ll absorb more by hearing what’s being said than any other method.
  • Reading and writing. The textbook is the best friend of this kind of learner. They pick up the most by reading it from a book, lecture sheet, or even their own notes. People who learn well in this way tend to also engage with work more when they write it out themselves.
  • Kinesthetic learning. While less common, kinesthetic learners do best by adopting a tactile approach. They need to immerse themselves in their educational activities in order to maximize what they’re getting out of it.
But which category do you find yourself in? There are a handful of ways for someone to work out which type of learning style is best suited to them:
  • Personal interests and preferences. While it’s not a black-and-white factor, your hobbies tend to say a lot about how you engage with life. If you’re someone who enjoys creative writing and reading, you probably learn best that way too. If you’re into painting or photography, chances are you’re also a visual learner.
  • Think about when you had successful learning experiences. Were there any experiences in your life where you felt as though you quickly absorbed a lot of information, in a relatively short space of time? Think about positive experiences, such as doing well on a test, and work out how you studied for it.
  • Your study habits. The way you study and the way you learn are intrinsically linked. How you perform best when studying may provide useful insight when trying to work out your exact learning style. For example, using flashcards might make you a visual learner, while if you’re someone who studies best by hands-on practicing, you could be kinesthetic.
  • Think about which method best suits you. Ultimately, you’ll know best which method makes you feel the most comfortable. Try them all out in one form or another, then pick the one which helped you most.

The best note-taking methods 

Once you’ve nailed down what kind of learning style works best for you, it’s time to marry that up with the way in which you take notes. Remember, there’s no one right way to do this. Use these different types of techniques as a starting point, and experiment with each to find one that really clicks:

The Cornell Method 

Created by Cornell University professor Walter Pauk, this note-taking approach sees a student divide their page into two equal-sized vertical columns – making sure to keep the lower third of the page undivided (creating something of an upside down “T”). Use the left column of the page to write down keywords, and the right for more detailed expansions of this. In the space at the bottom, consolidate what you’ve learned after the lecture by drawing from the two columns. Benefits of this method: 
  • You’ll be gently forced to go over your notes again as part of the summary process
  • Notes are easier to read and more streamlined
  • This method helps to pull out the core terms and ideas which a student should be focusing on

The bullet journal method

The traditional bullet point approach is a tried and tested method when it comes to remembering important details. While writing out everything in one large list of bullets might not help too much, organizing them into specific sections and making notes under each helps to easily categorize lectures and seminars. For example, if you’re learning about a particular period of history, you could have four sections focusing on different factors like “politics”, “battles”, “social economics”, and “important dates”. It’s a basic example, but one that can be mirrored for a number of subjects. Benefits of this method: 
  • Bullets are easier to read owing to their streamlined nature
  • Categorization makes it easier to pick out the key data you need
  • You can design a page to be more visually engaging if that’s your preferred learning style

The mind map method 

Mind maps are the perfect tool for visual learners, as they allow you to create a web of related themes and ideas that all interconnect in one larger image. Start with the core focus of your lecture or seminar in the middle, then branch out with related subtopics. The finished product might look confusing to someone who didn’t take the notes themselves, but should ideally make a lot of sense to you. Follow the route of an idea to understand how all the themes you noted connect together. Benefits of this method: 
  • It helps visual learners to recall information more easily
  • Notes can be written out again more succinctly later, helping to reinforce what’s been taught
  • It promotes creativity, and makes note-taking less of a chore for those with a more artistic approach to learning

The charting method 

This method is best to employ in scenarios where you know you’re going to be dealing with a lot of statistical data, or factual analysis. It’s similar to the Cornell Method, but with more subsections on your page – which you can divide into as many categories as you like. Add a heading to each section, then write notes and keywords underneath each accordingly. This can be done with traditional pen and paper, but using a spreadsheet is also a good way to implement the technique successfully. Benefits of this method: 
  • It’s a highly efficient way to categorize statistical analysis and data
  • It makes memorizing numbers (such as formulas or important dates) much easier
  • This method makes it easier to summarize your notes prior to an exam

The outline method

Much as you might structure a thesis or a resource, the outline method sees you take notes using a concise, hierarchical structure. Start by making the main subject of your lesson the title of the page, then add subcategories indented slightly to the right of the margin, in accordance with the core beats of what’s being discussed. Then, you simply need to add your notes under each of these subheadings. As it can be tough to know exactly how much space you might need for the outline method, it’s becoming more common for students to use laptops or tablets when utilizing this technique. Benefits of this method: 
  • Notes taken in this way are visually easier to digest or understand well after they were written
  • This technique is very effective for those who learn through reading and writing
  • These types of notes make it easier to add questions to study or explore further later

Note-taking tips and advice 

Nobody wants to look back over their work and discover it’s of random, nonsensical scribbles. These notes will serve as the core of your assignment or exam preparation, so it’s important to get them right to optimize your chances of success. While we’ve already looked at some of the core techniques to employ, here are some top-level snippets of advice which will also come in handy when taking notes:
  • Match the context to the method. A spoken lecture with no supplementary content is not the same as a visual presentation which can be drawn on later. Depending on the depth of detail needed for your notes, be sure to tailor them to what’s actually being presented. A fluid approach to one-hour oral seminar might not be as effective as a more structured system.
  • Trial different styles. You don’t have to pick one style of note-taking and stick with it for life. If you feel confident enough, try more than one of the techniques we’ve discussed and see which works best for you. It could even be that more than one is effective for you personally.
  • Hand-write them first. Having a digital copy of your notes is always smart, but if you hand-write them to begin with, then type them up in full later, you’ll effectively absorb the information twice over. This will serve to reinforce what you’ve learnt, while providing you with a handy resource to turn to further down the line when it’s exam or assignment season.
  • Look over your notes the next day. While this might sound like an additional job, it will help to prevent the lecture or class you took becoming forgotten or stagnant. Try to block out a specific time on the weekend to look over all the notes you took during the past week. Highlight anything you still need to do more research on, and think about creating an individual summary for each set of notes.
Write down questions to answer later. As you’re taking notes, it’s normal to have secondary questions. These can’t always be asked immediately, so be sure to write down any queries which come up and find your own solution later. This can also be a part of your note-revision session at the end of your week. A good option to answer follow-up questions is to use our handy AI Q&A tool to get an answer in seconds.

How to stay focused when studying your notes

Once you’ve made notes which perfectly sync up with your style of learning, it’s time to put them to good use. The study portion of your exam or assessment is just as important as the note-taking. As such, remember to keep these handy tips in mind when it comes to staying on task and engaged:
  • Create a good environment. If your room is messy and cluttered, your brain will be too. Make sure to have your working space optimized so that there are no distractions, and try to make the desk or surface you’re working from an extension of your classroom. That means no nick-nacks, phones, or other distractions. Calming music is also a good idea, while scent diffusers might also help those who are especially sensitive to odors.
  • Put your phone and social media down. This is probably one of the most important factors when studying with notes. Having a source of distraction or entertainment close to hand will draw you out of your study bubble. If the notes you’re working off of are particularly complicated, this can make it hard to stay engaged and on-task.
  • Make sure to take breaks. While distractions are bad, it’s also not healthy for your brain to never switch off. Don’t forget to treat yourself to scheduled breaks, but also time these so that you have a structure to them.
  • Think about nutrition. Good hydration and a full stomach will provide you with the energy needed to stay focused, motivated, and on-task. That doesn’t mean energy drinks and junk food. You’ll want to provide your body with good nutrients, which don’t give you a quick hit of motivation, only to leave you feeling drained shortly thereafter.
Have treats and rewards ready to go. While not the core of your diet, it’s still okay to have little treats sitting around as rewards for good work. We all need motivation in life to help us get through things. And while the long-term motivator is a good grade, that doesn’t have much of a short-term impact. Have little rewards ready to go while you go over your notes, and then a big reward planned for if you hit your overall grade targets.

Note studying techniques for students

Sometimes a more tailored approach is best for getting the most out of your notes and textbooks. Just as with your note-taking, there are a number of ways a student can think about how they study. Here are some of the most popular methods out there.